Regency Masquerade Read Free

Moira and Jonathon to exchange a meaningful glance. She shook her head slightly to let Jonathon know he was not to speak. Her fingers trembled, but in the twinkling of a bedpost she had recovered and continued registering while the man talked to the clerk. David took the jewelry case from the groom and led Moira upstairs.
    They had hired two bedrooms, with a sitting room between for their mutual use. It was the best suite the inn had to offer, but it was by no means elegant. The ceiling slanted sharply at the edges of the rooms. The chambers were clean and bright, however, with a view of the estuary from the windows. The uneven plank floors were partly covered with a braided rug. Moira’s bed had a simple cambric canopy and an oval mirror above the toilet table.
    “It ain’t exactly like home,” Jonathon said doubtfully
    “It looks comfortable enough, though I daresay Lady Crieff will find a few items to complain about.” This settled, she discussed more interesting matters. “It seems Major Stanby has picked up an accomplice since he bilked us out of our fortune. I knew from the way that fellow was grinning at me that he was up to no good.”
    “Very likely you are right,” Jonathon agreed, “although to be fair, you grinned at him first. We do not know he is working with Mr. March, just because he was inquiring for him.”
    “That is true. March has always worked alone in the past.”
    “P’raps the word is out that March is setting up a game of cards. You know cheating at cards is another of his tricks. We ought to warn Mr. Hartly.”
    “Is that his name?” Moira asked. “Sharp of you to have noticed, Jon—David.”
    “That is the name he gave the innkeeper. I should love to have a ride in that curricle.”
    “No need to rush things. We shall keep an eye on Hartly. He might prove useful. One never knows how things will turn out.”
    “I hope they turn out so that I get behind that team.”
    “I wonder if they have assemblies at this inn,” Moira said, with a pensive look. “Don’t look at me like that, David. I have no intention of throwing my bonnet at Mr. Hartly, but it would be an unexceptionable way to meet March and also become a little acquainted with Mr. Hartly, to discover what he is doing here, asking for Stanby.”
    She said no more, but it occurred to her that if he was not Stanby’s colleague, he might be willing to become hers. She would feel a deal safer with a strong, older masculine ally.
    “Do you mean to set up a flirtation with Hartly?”
    “No, that would be too obvious.” Then she added with a sly smile, “But I might let him set up one with me, if he has a mind to.”
    “That sounds vulgar enough for Lady Crieff, taking up with a stranger. Pity I am not the one who must be vulgar. I could do it better than you.”
    “We shall see about that! I can tie my garter in public as well as the next hussy. Now, where should we hide the jewels?”
    “You could ask the innkeeper to put them in his safe. Or shall I do it?”
    “You do it, and make a show of concern for their safety. Wait until he is alone, and tell him the case is very valuable.”
    “So it is—to us. We hope to exchange this collection of glass for our fortune.”
    He picked up the padlocked case and went whistling downstairs.
     

Chapter Two
     
    Before Mr. Hartly left the desk, he said to the innkeeper, “About Major Stanby ... I do not actually have his acquaintance. I pray you do not tell him I was inquiring for him. It is to be a surprise.” As he spoke, he slid a gold coin onto the counter, from whence it found its way into the innkeeper’s pocket with the swiftness of a frog snapping up a fly.
    Jeremy Bullion tapped his finger to his nose, nodded his head, and gave a wink of his sharp, snuff-colored eye. “Any little thing I can do for you, sir, ye have only to ask and Jeremy Bullion will be happy to oblige. Folks call me Bullion.”
    “Very good. You are raw metal, but pure gold, I have no