The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

Author:Alison Goodman [Goodman, Alison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-05-30T00:00:00+00:00

27

What was he doing here?

His body held the stiff fatigue of a full day in the saddle and he was dressed for riding: buff leather breeches, top boots, and dark green riding coat, all besmirched by road dust but not out of keeping with the dining room company. Had he ridden all the way from Reading?

He bowed and offered a packet.

“Anderson. I have brought a note from your sister.”

Of course; he must have met up with Julia on the road—how else could he have known my whereabouts and pseudonym, and secured her note?

I felt the curious eyes of Sands and Gerrint upon us. Clearly, I had to do more than gape at the man. Hurriedly, I returned his bow.

“Mr. Hargate, well met.” I forced a smile onto my face. He gave a tiny nod; at least I had used the right name. I took the note. “Thank you.”

“May I join you?” He nodded to my table companions in general acknowledgment. “I’ve not yet dined.”

“Of course.” I recollected my manners. “Allow me to introduce Mr. Sands and Mr. Gerrint. This is my friend Mr. Hargate.”

Courtesies were duly exchanged. Lord Evan took the bench opposite me.

I opened Julia’s note: I am waiting at the York Inn. He arrived in London just as I was leaving and would not be put off. J.

I looked up from the missive. Lord Evan watched me, expression guarded. If he had gone to London before coming here, he must have left Reading only hours after Thomas had given him my message. A swift change of heart, and an extraordinarily long ride. He did, indeed, look fatigued and perhaps a little thinner than when I had last seen him. Yet, even with the exhaustion, his gray eyes held the warmth of a smile.

I refolded the note and slipped it into my jacket pocket. Such a tumult coursed through me—joy and relief, but also anger at the crushing betrayal I had needlessly felt—and I could not show any of it.

“I had not expected to see you in Cheltenham. I thought you had other business.” I picked up my knife and fork and sawed through the pork, somewhat violently.

“I decided I would come, after all.” He leaned back as plate, cutlery, and napkin were laid before him by the server, then said to the man, “I’ll have what Mr. Anderson is having. A meal fit for a hungry man.”

Very funny. I chewed the mouthful. I’m sure it was tender and full of flavor, but it may as well have been wood.

Mr. Sands, hearing the break in our conversation, said amiably, “We are to the billiard rooms. Two streets back.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder to indicate the direction. “If you fancy a game, come by. We could stand a wager to spice things up.”

“That is kind of you,” Lord Evan said. “But Mr. Anderson and I have other plans.”

Since I had just stated I had not expected him, it was plain we did not have plans. The other

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