Undercover With the Earl

by Robyn DeHart

  “My lord, ’tis very nice of you to join us this morning,” the eldest Marrington sister said. She was tall and willowy with strawberry blond hair and a wide smile. He vaguely remembered Ellis telling him their names, but at the moment he remembered only Evelyn’s. She was the one that mattered for this assignment so that was all he was concerned with.

  “I do believe it has stopped raining,” another said.

  Evelyn sat at the far end of the table and resumed reading a book that was propped open in front of her.

  “Evelyn, dear, perhaps you could read another time. We have a guest,” Mrs. Marrington said.

  “Mother, we are all guests here at Fenwick Hall,” Evelyn said.

  Her mother frowned and Bennett hid a smile. She had bite, that one. Perhaps she was inhospitable and didn’t realize it. The aloofness would serve her well posing as the queen. All royalty were aloof, untouchable, though Victoria was not like that on her own. In public, she had mastered the behavior at an early age.

  “You said you were leaving today, my lord, returning to London?” the eldest sister asked.

  “After a quick diversion to my estate, yes.”

  “And where might that be?” Mrs. Marrington asked.

  “Berkshire. It is not too far from here, only a few hours ride.”

  “Is it a harsh land?”

  “No, it is quite lovely,” he said.

  “Is that not where Windsor Castle is, My Lord?” one of the Marrington sisters asked.

  “It is.” He paused a moment, then asked, “Miss Marrington, I wonder if I could inquire as to what you’re reading?”

  Silence fell over the room and all eyes turned to Evelyn. He simply wanted to see her behavior. Thus far he’d been so unimpressed with the Marrington family that he was highly reluctant to take her anywhere.

  She looked up slowly, met his face. There it was again, that intelligence sparking in her eyes. He was too far away from her right now, but he knew from the night before that they were a warm amber color. “Frankenstein.” She immediately went back to reading.

  Her sister nudged her and Evelyn looked up. A silent conversation seemed to flow between the two women before Evelyn looked back at him. “Have you read it, my lord?”

  “Yes.”

  Surprise rounded her eyes. “Indeed? And what did you think?” A smile teased at her pink lips.

  “I did not care for it.”

  She frowned. “Why ever not?”

  “Evelyn,” her mother hissed, then shook her head.

  “It is a legitimate question. It’s a nearly perfect piece of literature,” Evelyn said.

  He could tell her why. He’d spent the entire novel feeling far too similar to the monster and his plight in Society, but he’d be damned if he’d ever admit that to anyone, especially a roomful of gossiping females. “I believe Mary Shelley is a gifted writer, but the book simply did not appeal to me.”

  She returned to reading, satisfied that she had met whatever requirement her family had placed on her.

  He stood and nodded to them all. “I wish you ladies a good day.” Then he turned on his heel and walked out. He stood just outside the door listening.

  “Evie, that is not how you interest a gentleman,” one of the sisters said.

  “Honestly, child, I simply do not know what we shall do with you. I suppose your father and I will have to select your husband since we cannot rely on you to do so, though we might have to sew your mouth shut.”

  …

  Bennett left the dining area and went in search of Ellis. The story they were telling the Marringtons was that Ellis’s mother had fallen ill and had requested Evelyn to come and keep her company while she healed. But Bennett had his doubts about the plan, and he intended to make his objections known as soon as possible.

  The Marrington women were gossips, which meant they could not be trusted. He’d had the opportunity to observe them after Evelyn had retired, and knew that they had discussed him at length. They’d discussed every other guest as well, although the conjectures about his own family, his estate, and his annual income were the most disturbing. He would have none of it, not after the way such insensitive talk had destroyed his sister.

  He came upon Ellis just as the man stepped out of Fenwick’s library. His uncle followed and jovially patted the man on his back, nodded to Bennett, then headed back to the dining room.

  “Everything is set,” Ellis said.

  “This is never going to work,” Bennett said. “We need to leave now.”

  “What do you mean? Even Potterfield thought she was perfect,” Ellis said.

  They walked to the back of the house and out the French doors that opened to the gardens. “I do not mean to disrespect your family, but they have done nothing but whisper about me and many others since we walked in. Discretion is quite obviously not among their virtues. We could never expect her to hold such an important matter in confidence.” He frowned. “Why am I the only one concerned about this?”

  “Yes, my aunt and some of my cousins are likely discussing you. My aunt is quite…enthusiastic about marrying off her daughters. But none of that is relevant to this situation. Besides the fact, Evie is quite different from her mother and sisters.”

  “They were gossiping about the Queen this morning at breakfast,” Bennett said.

  Ellis released a slow breath. “Precisely why we need Evie to come to London. People will only gossip more and more if Victoria is not seen, or worse if people see her injured. You said yourself that she cannot afford for people to see her weakened.”

  “That does not mean that this is the solution,” Bennett said. “We could simply have her out of the public eye for a week or more.”

  “It is not for you or I to make this decision,” Ellis said. “Certainly you must have recognized that Potterfield is not pleased with you as of late.”

  “Of course I have noticed that. He’d tightening the leash as if I am an untrained pup. None of my decisions have ever resulted in anyone save myself getting injured.”

  “No, but they could have.” Ellis sighed. “I’m not suggesting you are wrong, but for a while, work with Potterfield, follow his orders and eventually he’ll start focusing on someone else. But if you’re not careful, he’ll remove you, you’ll be down with the likes of Morton.” Ellis patted his back and grinned. “Tell me you’ve seen the resemblance between Evie and our dear monarch.”

  Ellis was right. Bennett knew that. Still, the whole situation infuriated him. Bennett shrugged. “I have. I will not deny that she favors Her Majesty. Except for her hair.” Not to mention her sinful curves, but he would refrain from discussing that matter with Ellis.

  “We can hide her hair.”

  “Still. This will not work and it’s exceedingly dangerous to bring a civilian into our work.”

  “I understand your concerns, but we don’t have any choice in the matter. Potterfield made his orders quite clear.”

  Bennett eyed Ellis. “We could tell him the chit said no, that she refused to come along with us.”

  “Allow me to remind you that if you disobey Potterfield again, your future in the Brotherhood will be dismal. He will likely place you on guard duty at Buckingham Palace.”

  He stood there thinking on what Ellis said. Damnation, but the man was right. If he weren’t so bloody ambitious, then none of this would matter, but it did matter. He not only wanted to retain his membership in the Brotherhood, he wanted to succeed Potterfield in the Brotherhood, and that depended on the man’s opinion of him. At the moment that opinion was rather low.

  “Imagine, though, if you bring her to London and you teach her what she needs to do to successfully pull off this charade. Potterfield will have little to say to you other than praise.”

  “Doubtful.” But Ellis’s thought had merit. Bennett swore. “What are we to do about her hair?”

  Ellis popped him on the back and urged him forward. “We’ll think of something. Now to convince her.”

  Benn
ett stopped walking. “She hasn’t agreed yet?”

  “No, but I suspect she won’t be nearly as difficult as you.”

  A large tree ahead housed a swing and there sat the woman, her red curls piled onto her head.

  “Evelyn,” Ellis said.

  She looked up from a book and met her cousin’s face. She smiled, came to her feet. “I have considered your offer.”

  “And?”

  Bennett took in the woman’s features. There were similarities between Evelyn and Victoria—the shape of their eyes, the cheekbones, the thin aristocratic nose, but this woman was far prettier than Victoria.

  “I accept,” she said cheerfully. Her glance strayed to his before she quickly averted her eyes.

  “Splendid,” Ellis said. He nudged Bennett with his elbow. “I told you she was perfect.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far, but under the circumstances, she’ll do,” Bennett said. “I shall take her.”

  Chapter Three

  Evie whirled on Ellis again. “I’m not certain what gives you the idea that I am yours to sell into marriage, but I will have none of it.” She crossed her arms over her chest. She supposed she should count herself fortunate that he was handsome and young and wealthy. Still, she didn’t want to marry; she wanted to be a novelist. The authoress Jane Austen had never married, she’d considered her work her marriage and Evelyn wanted to do the same. But it would seem as if she had no say in the manner.

  “What the devil is she talking about?” Lord Somersby asked. “No one is selling anyone into marriage.”

  She allowed his words to settle into her and relief washed over her. “Oh, thank goodness.”

  Lord Somersby’s right brow rose.

  Blush burned her cheeks. “My apologies, but based on what you said, I assumed that you were taking me for a wife, albeit not enthusiastically.”

  His eyes rounded. “I have no need for a wife.”

  “Well, there was certainly no way for me to know that. I mean you are infinitely preferable to Lord Edgerly, but still I have no intentions of marrying anyone.”

  Lord Somersby shook his head. “Why are we even discussing this?”

  “Neither one of you have been forthcoming with me on what this little adventure entails.” She shrugged. “I was speculating.”

  “Evie, Lord Somersby is who you shall be working with on said adventure,” Ellis said.

  Surprise bolted through her, and something dangerously close to pleasure. “Only him? Why not you?” Ellis had told her she’d be working with Lord Somersby, but not that she’d be alone with him.

  “Because Somersby here is the one for the task. That is all I can tell you now.”

  She felt her mouth open, and promptly closed it. She looked again at Lord Somersby, who now frowned at her, his bulky arms crossed over his wide chest. Though he dressed as a gentleman, he looked more the part of the blacksmith. “What do I need to do?”

  “You come with me. No questions asked,” Lord Somersby said.

  Her brows rose and a sharp retort formed in her throat, but Ellis stepped forward. “Consider this, dear cousin, you shall get a reprieve from your family for a week or two and then you return. A brief holiday, if you will.”

  “Only me? None of the rest of them are invited?”

  Lord Somersby shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

  She smiled. “Then whatever it is, I wholeheartedly agree.” She nudged Ellis in the ribs. “Provided you can assure me that this man isn’t going to take me off to his seaside castle and chain me in a tower.”

  “You and your books. Real life is not that exciting, Evie, I keep telling you this,” Ellis said. “Now then, I shall leave the two of you to get acquainted and go ready the carriage and horses.” He turned to go, then stopped and looked at her. “By the by, Evie, we’ve told your family that my mother is ill and has requested your company while she recuperates. That is the story you shall use.”

  And with that she was left alone with the hulking stranger. She allowed her gaze to take in the full sight of him. She doubted she came to his shoulders. “You are exceptionally large,” she said.

  He said nothing, though she couldn’t blame him. Her comment had done nothing but state the obvious. He’d probably heard similar hundreds of times.

  “No questions? That might be difficult as I am a curious sort.” Not even a hint of a smile showed on his lips. Perhaps he had no sense of humor. “Lord Somersby, my cousin has assured me that you shall protect me in the event of danger. Is that true?”

  “That is a question.”

  She grinned. “I suppose it is.”

  He peered at her. “If you are going to be overly chatty, this arrangement will never work.”

  “Ellis suggested we should get acquainted. I was merely following instructions.”

  His expression barely altered. “When we arrive at my townhome, I shall give you additional details, but not until then.”

  Squeals came from inside the house and she ignored Catherine and Meghan waving frantically from the drawing room window. They were all smiles and giggles.

  “Your family is—”

  “Loud? Too much? Obnoxious?”

  “Yes.”

  She took offense, or at least she should have taken offense, but she said nothing more. It mattered not what the Earl of Somersby thought of her family. They were not part of this agreement and he would likely never see them again.

  “But what are his intensions?” she heard her mother frantically asking as Ellis and her father stepped outside the house.

  Evelyn cringed. “Good heavens,” she whispered.

  “She’s going to see my sister, dear,” her father said. “Lord Somersby has naught to do with this.” Then he did his best to close the door. It wouldn’t matter; she’d either open it or stand so close she’d be able to hear their conversation. Ellis and her father shook hands and her father waved her to him.

  She strode the length of the garden and came to his side. “Yes, Papa?”

  “Are you in agreement with your cousin and wish to take this holiday?”

  She faltered, uncertain if her father knew more of the truth than he let on. “Yes, I would very much prefer to go,” she said quietly. A cool breeze fluttered around her, whipping curls from the confines of the braid wound onto her head.

  Her sisters’ voices echoed through the door. “I can’t hear anything,” one of them said.

  Evelyn smiled. Her father looked over his shoulder, then back at her. “Perhaps I should go along with you.”

  A pang of wistfulness surged through her. She would miss her family, her father the most. “They’d never survive without you,” she said.

  “Quite true, my dear.”

  Ellis rounded the corner of the house. “The carriage is ready.”

  Her father cleared his throat, did his best to frown in fatherly concern. “Well, then I trust that, Ellis, you shall keep her safe.”

  “Of course, Uncle.”

  Her father kissed her cheek. “Be safe, my dear, and I shall see you soon.”

  “I am to leave right now?” she asked. This was happening rather quickly, but she supposed if she was to live out an adventure she should be ready for nearly anything. That was what she wanted, something other than this quiet country existence to impart into her writing, her stories.

  “Yes,” Lord Somersby said.

  “What of my clothes? I need to pack.”

  “It has all been taken care of. Your trunks shall meet you there,” Ellis said.

  “But I want to go too!” her youngest sister whined as the door flew open. Nearly three girls fell to the ground with the force; they must have all been pressed tightly to the wood with their eavesdropping.

  “The carriage is around this way, Miss Marrington,” a footman said.

  She had no notion to what she’d just agreed to, but she waved to her family, then followed the men, setting off on her first true adventure.

  Of all the arrogant men!

/>   He wouldn’t even ride with her in the carriage, instead insisting to sit in the damp weather upon his horse. Well, let him catch his death out there. She was relatively cozy inside here with a blanket wrapped around her lap. But she was expected to work with him despite having spoken to him no more than their brief and curt exchange. And her cousin had diverted away from them as soon as they’d left her village; he was headed back to London. Perhaps she should be pleased rather than offended that Lord Somersby was not accompanying her inside the carriage because then she’d have to suffer his presence in silence.

  Instead, she sat in this relatively dark carriage being carted off to the Earl’s London townhouse. She withdrew her notebook from her reticule and did what she did best. She made some notes for a book idea: a plucky country miss being whisked off to a cranky lord’s castle where she’d be forced into a loveless marriage. Oh, and perhaps the castle had some mysterious secrets, a tower with broken stairs.

  She supposed she should be mortified that she’d thought he’d wanted to marry her, and had told him so, but she generally wasn’t prone to embarrassment, though her mother would have most certainly had a fit of the vapors.

  Evie chuckled to herself. The whole situation was amusing. Granted, he was preferable to Lord Edgerly and his eleven children, so if this had been some sort of arranged marriage, she would have at least been pleased by her betrothed’s appearance. As best, she could tell Lord Somersby still had all of his teeth.

  …

  Bennett had opted to ride his horse rather than inside the carriage with Miss Marrington. His reasons had been twofold. He hadn’t wanted to stare at her all the while imagining all manners in which to scandalize her, and he hadn’t wanted to endure her peppering him with questions.

  Once they’d arrived at his townhome, he’d left her to his staff to get her settled in. Mrs. Kimble, his housekeeper, had whisked the girl away. This had not been the assignment he’d been expecting, nor hoping for. He’d wanted to go to Oxford and interview the professor there who was working on a machine to send notices quickly and without the post; a telegraph machine, the man called it. Bennett felt certain that this sort of technology was precisely what the Brotherhood needed to give them an edge in protecting the Crown. Potterfield saw no reason to do things any differently than they’d been doing them for the last hundred years.