The Artist and the Rake (The Merry Misfits of Bath 4)

“I doubt that you are a customer since in all the time I lived in your house I never saw you pick up a book.”

Mrs. O’Leary tugged off her gloves and offered a sweet smile that Lizbeth wanted to slap off her face. “I do read on occasion. And as a public store, I believe I have the right to enter and browse the shelves.”

“I don’t know what you’re doing here, but the store closes in about ten minutes.” Despite her pounding heart, Lizbeth returned to her duties. She got nowhere since with Mrs. O’Leary nearby she couldn’t concentrate on her work.

What if she came to kidnap me again?

She broke into a sweat and any idea she had of doing the addition of the sales flew from her head. She tensed and looked out the front window but saw no one lurking about. Why had she not thought up until now that Mrs. O’Leary knowing she had escaped the brothel might try to have her abducted again?

The cursed woman strolled up to the counter. “Something very odd happened at my house the other night.”

Lizbeth knew immediately what she was referring to, but she feigned innocence. “I’m afraid I cannot chat right now. I have to complete my report for the day.” She wiped her damp palms on her skirt and pretended to add up the numbers, but for the life of her she couldn’t remember what two plus two was.

“Yes, the odd thing was someone apparently broke into my storage room.” She leaned in closer to Lizbeth. “In the middle of the night.” She leaned back and crossed her arms over her middle and stared at her.

“Mrs. O’Leary, you have five minutes to make a selection. Then I will escort you out of the store and lock the door.”

“Yes. Speaking of locks. The door to my storage room was always locked, but for some reason when I went there the next morning, it was unlocked. What do you think about that?”

Lizbeth raised her chin, determined not to show fear in front of this woman, but took another glance out the window. “I think nothing of it since I don’t care that your storage room was broken into. Now I must return to my work, and you must make your selection and leave.”

Mrs. O’Leary strolled away and spoke over her shoulder. “The oddest thing about it is the only thing taken was the box with your belongings in it.”

Just as Lizbeth was about to order the woman from the store, the bell over the door jingled. She turned quickly, and breathed a sigh of relief as Marcus walked in. He glanced first at her, then at Mrs. O’Leary and his brows rose. “Good evening, Miss Davenport. I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop in and escort you home.”

“I am almost finished.” Now that Marcus was here, she relaxed. Her heartbeat slowed down and the knots in her stomach eased. No one was going to kidnap her with him here. It amazed her how confident she was that he would protect her.

“Good evening, Mrs. O’Leary.” Marcus bowed in her direction and she smirked back at him.

“And good evening to you as well. It’s Mr. Mallory, am I correct?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He walked to where Lizbeth did her calculations and stood next to her. “What is she doing here?” he murmured.

“Harassing me.” Lizbeth lowered her head. “She told me someone broke into her storage room and took a box with my belongings,” she whispered.

“Indeed?” He raised his voice. “It’s too bad your belongings were taken, but I believe when we visited Mrs. O’Leary’s boarding house a few weeks ago she assured you that you’d already taken everything. In fact, if memory serves her exact words were: “my dear, I’m afraid you took everything with you when you so abruptly moved out.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and moved to lean against the doorframe. “Isn’t that right, Mrs. O’Leary?”

She waved her hand at him. “It’s quite possible that a few things were left behind, and I put those in the storage room hoping Miss Davenport would reclaim them one day.”

“Yet when she did try to reclaim them, you told her she had already taken everything.”

Mrs. O’Leary straightened the cuffs of her coat and moved forward. “I have had many tenants over the years.” She smiled as she attempted to walk past Marcus who still stood by the door. “It’s quite possible I grow confused at times. Now if you will excuse me, I believe Miss Davenport indicated the store was about to close.”

Marcus stared at her and slowly moved away from the door. “Have a nice evening, Mrs. O’Leary. I advise you to find another bookstore to patronize.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I will shop where I please.”

Marcus placed his palm against the door to keep her from opening it. “And I can assure you that this store is one that will never please you.” He continued to stare at her. “Do I make myself clear?”

She gave him a curt nod and he moved away so she could leave.

“Well done, Mr. Mallory,” Lizbeth said as the door closed, and she shut the ledger.

“How long has she been here?” Marcus asked as he leaned on the counter. He was shocked, and then annoyed to see Mrs. O’Leary in the store. It was obvious Lizbeth was quite upset. Her hand shook as she attempted to work on the ledger, and she kept taking deep breaths.

“Not long before you arrived. Maybe five or ten minutes. I can’t tell you how surprised I was to see her.” She shoved the ledger under the counter and climbed down from the stool.