Changing the Earl's Mind (The Lords of Whitehall Book 3) by Kristen McLean

Author:Kristen McLean [McLean, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-03-25T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

He was a madman, obviously. No sane man would agree to mingle with the ton, with their wicked tongues and selfish machinations. They drip with sweetness over someone they could benefit from, while ruthlessly devouring anyone in their way. Gad, he hated society.

If only society were his only worry this evening.

He shut the door behind him, leaving the small window on the opposite wall as the only light illuminating the small closet. Cleaning supplies littered the shelving on either side of them.

“I need you to stay in this closet until I send someone to fetch you.” He turned to leave, but she pulled him back around.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” She propped her hands on her hips, glaring up at him mutinously. “What is going on?”

“I believe our murderers have invited themselves to Ainsley’s ball.”

Her eyes widened. “What in blazes are we doing in this closet, then?” she hissed, trying to push him aside.

He grabbed her by her shoulders to stop her. “I have no intention of allowing you to be killed, bullied, or harassed tonight. You are staying here, and I shall handle our murderers, if indeed they are our murderers.”

“You aren’t sure?” Her brows knit in an absurdly adorable fashion. “You must be mostly sure to have whisked me away like that. What makes you think it’s them?”

“I shall only tell you if you promise to behave, and not act on your own.” Her frown deepened, and he grunted. “I shall take that as your complete agreement. They were dressed as servants.”

He had noticed them during the waltz. Two footmen matching the description given to him by Lady Umberton were walking about with trays of champagne to offer the guests, and doing a remarkably poor job of it. Had he not seen it himself, he would have thought such a task impossible to muck up. Ainsley would never tolerate such incompetence in his staff, which meant they must be intruders.

Now, many a chap on Fleet Street would gladly risk his dignity, such as it was, by posing as a servant in order to publish a firsthand account of the goings-on at such a prestigious affair, but those chaps were usually smart enough to act the part, and careful enough not to act too interested in any single party.

The fellows Drake noticed had been hovering around Lady Umberton like buzzards over a dying animal. Then, when they had caught sight of Mrs. Tindall, they all but trampled several guests in their attempt to get to her. Thankfully, they had been on the other side of the ballroom, and he had just enough time to get her safely tucked away.

A light nudge at his arm brought him back to the moment. He looked down to find her trying desperately to move him aside.

“What the devil are you doing now?”

She made a noise deep in her throat. “I am going to beat them to within an inch of their lives, and then some. As they deserve. With my own two fists!”

“But you agreed to behave, remember?” He lifted a brow.

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