“You did, and Alice was wonderful. She deserved the payment you gave her.”
She didn’t know he’d also stationed one man inside the tavern to watch over her and another outside. “And yet you still had to be saved by someone else. By the new marquess, of all people.” He didn’t raise his voice, but he didn’t have to. Amelia knew he was displeased.
“She jumped in moments after he did. And if he hadn’t been there, she would have been able to sway attention away from me.”
“Do I even want to know what happened?”
She winced. “Promise you’ll wait until I finish.”
He wanted to protest but knew she’d withhold the details from him. He waved his hand to indicate she should proceed.
“It was difficult, of course, serving customers. I wasn’t as fast as the other barmaids, but Alice was a godsend. She helped me a great deal. Even lied to the owner of the tavern about who I was. One of the other barmaids wanted an evening off. Alice told the owner the woman was home, ill, and that I was her cousin who’d agreed to take her place. The man didn’t care as long as I did my job.”
“Which you did, of course.” Amelia had always been quick at learning new skills. Although he hated the idea that barmaid in a tavern was now one of those skills.
Amelia gave her head a little shake. “I was terrible at first. But I did improve as the evening progressed.”
“And Lowenbrock?”
“He arrived with two friends. They were a lively group, but they were respectful toward Alice. They were more intent on talking than bothering the barmaids.”
Another point in the marquess’s favor. You could tell a lot about a man’s character by how he treated those who were beneath his station.
“I didn’t serve them, and I don’t think he even noticed me. I was responsible for the tables in the other half of the room. At any rate, it was nearing midnight when a group of men I’d been serving became rowdy. A few propositioned me, but I was able to hold them off with a few teasing words as Alice had taught me.”
He never should have assisted her in setting up this insane scheme, but he’d had little choice in the matter. Amelia was stubborn enough to proceed on her own, and so he’d convinced himself that helping was the only way to ensure no harm came to her. He opened his mouth to say something about how he should have tried harder to stop her, but she held up a finger.
“You promised to allow me to finish. Or at least you implied that you agreed.”
She was right and so he waited, unable to keep the frown from his face.
“It was fine, Mr. Markham. Nothing I couldn’t handle. Or so I thought until someone pulled me onto their lap.”
“What!” For a moment, he feared his ancient heart would stop. When it kicked before starting to thud loudly, he had visions of collapsing and leaving this young woman alone in the world. This woman who was so smart when it came to learning but so naive when it came to the motivations of men.
“It was over almost as soon as it started. Lord Lowenbrock was suddenly there, and he pulled me away from the man and placed himself between us. For a moment I thought they were going to come to blows, but then Alice swooped in and told me I was needed in the kitchens. She did an admirable job of distracting the man who’d… Well, you know.”
Markham closed his eyes for several moments, the entire scene playing out in his mind. Some lout had tried to have his way with her. If he frequented the tavern regularly, Alice would know who he was. And if that was the case, Markham would exact his revenge. His clients were composed solely of those among the upper class, but he also possessed a vast network of associates who had access to all manner of information. That information included who to contact if one needed to teach someone a lesson.
Yes, a beating should do nicely. With a warning never to force his attentions on women who didn’t want it.
When he looked at her again, she seemed of two minds about continuing. He schooled his features and said, “Please continue.”
She glanced toward the drawing room door and continued in a volume barely loud enough for him to hear. “He escorted me out the back exit and then arranged for his carriage to take me to your town house. Alone. He returned to his friends. He thought I was someone called Molly. Between the hair covering and my glasses, and the fact it was dark in the tavern and again outside, I’m hoping he won’t realize Molly and I are the same person.”
He wanted to chastise her for putting herself in danger, but he needed to proceed with caution. Amelia had developed an independent streak in the years since her uncle’s death, and if he wasn’t careful, she would proceed on her next adventure without telling anyone. His thoughts shied away from images of everything that could happen—and often did—to a young woman on her own.
“Please tell me you don’t plan on repeating that night’s ill-conceived actions.”
Amelia’s lips pressed together before she let out a soft sigh. “I’m afraid that night’s events shook me a great deal. In future, I’ll limit my research to interviewing others instead of stepping into their roles directly.”
He could feel his tense muscles begin to relax. Interviews wouldn’t be so bad. She’d probably learn things a properly raised woman shouldn’t, but it was better than experiencing them for herself.
“You’ll probably need to remain here for some time. Maybe later in the year you can come down and visit. I must admit, I’ve grown accustomed to having you around.”
Amelia shook her head. “I was always underfoot, asking a million questions, and you were relieved to return to the quiet of your home. Admit it.”
How was this young woman so astute? “Never.”