Page 34 of The Redemption of the Shrew

“I was glad of his help, miss,” Mr. Cartway said. “Good to see an old friend too. We had a proper jaw on the way here. We thinks his nibs has it with him.”

“In Melton Mowbray, where he hunts at this time of year,” Philippe said. “Perhaps he wants to keep it close by.”

“Safe and secure where he’s the only one what gets to ogle it.” Mr. Cartway rubbed his hands together and leered like a villain in a novel.

She laughed sadly. “Yes, he’s just the sort of man to bring it out and pet it, gloating.” Her heart twisted. “He won’t read the psalms or say the prayers or—or anything it’s meant for.”

“I’ve never taken you for a religious woman,” Philippe said after a moment.

“That shows how little you know about me.” She jutted her chin. “I didn’t lose it. He stole it. There’s a difference.”

“Aye, there is, ducky,” said Mr. Cartway, “and we’ll get it back for you, never fear.”

She smiled at him and nodded her thanks.

“But not by way of burglary, unless we have no other choice.” Philippe eyed her. “Nor by highway robbery. That’s too risky for everyone concerned, including the earl’s coachman and guard.”

“I wasn’t thinking of any such thing,” she said indignantly.

“Perhaps not yet, but I don’t want to find that you’re hiring a highwayman next.” Philippe took a gulp of gin and stabbed a finger at her—frightfully rude of him, but it was forceful all the same. “Leave this to me, Gloriana. I said I would recover it for you, and I shall.” He sat back and folded his arms. “In my own time and my own way.”

~ ~ ~

Gloriana opened her mouth to retort but seemed to think better of it, and took a sip of porter instead. Philippe wasn’t fooled into taking this for acquiescence. Why the devil didn’t she trust him?

More to the point, why should he expect her to? Only two days ago she’d accused him of theft, and now she’d not only seen him in the company of a professional burglar, but trading greetings with a crowd of low-bred people, many of whom were criminals as well.

She didn’t seem uncomfortable in the Spotted Dragon. Perhaps she felt safe enough with the Roving Rev, which annoyed him for no good reason.

She hadn’t taken umbrage at Cartway’s familiarity, surprising him even more. Where had her customary haughtiness gone? Six months ago, her grateful acceptance of an endearment such as ‘ducky’ would have been unthinkable.

He glanced at her pot of porter. Still almost full. Hardly a lady’s tipple, but she seemed to like it. She wasn’t intoxicated. She couldn’t have been here long enough to broach her second pot.

The irritating Mr. Alexander drained his tankard. “I’d best be off. It’s late for a schoolmaster. I’ve to be up before dawn.”

Gloriana took a hurried gulp of porter and made as if to leave as well.

“No need to rush, Miss Glow,” Mr. Alexander said. “Finish your porter. Much as I enjoyed playing bo-peep with a beautiful lady, I’d rather not walk off with you under the nose of a man who truly covets you.”

Philippe let out a French oath. Gloriana glanced at Mr. Alexander, a crease between her brows. “Don’t be absurd.”

“Mr. Cartway will be happy to escort you home, if you’d prefer,” Alexander said blandly.

Cartway chuckled and put up a hand. “Phil and me’s friends. Like to keep it that way.”

The crease deepened. Philippe waited for her to object. Instead, she shrugged and stared moodily into her porter, but he sensed she was clenching her fists under the table.

“It would be my pleasure to escort Miss, er, Glow,” Philippe drawled. He couldn’t decide whether he liked this fellow Alexander for manipulating Gloriana into a corner, or longed to punch him for putting him in an impossible position. Perhaps both.

“Is that acceptable to you, Miss Glow?” Mr. Alexander asked. “I’m sure you’ll be safe with his lordship Mr. Bonaventure.” Heavy on the sarcasm, but it wasn’t an uncommon reaction to his dual personas. Gloriana must have told him.

“I would rather inconvenience Mr. Bonaventure than you,” she said. “Hard-working schoolmasters deserve their rest. Thank you for helping me tonight.”

“Right you are then. I’ll be off.” Alexander tossed a few coins onto the table and was gone before Gloriana could change her mind.

Mr. Cartway stood as well. “Pleasure doing business with you, Miss Glow. I’d best be on me way as well.” He bade them a cheery goodnight.

This left Philippe and Gloriana confronting one another across the table.