Enticing the Earl

“Maybe you should try. There might be a logical reason for her actions.” Though Simon had to admit, he saw none. Mia was a fine healer.

“Thank you,” she whispered and looked up at him.

He could stare at her for hours. Her oval face that seemed to be taken over with her large brown eyes. Her lips were perfect for kissing, not too thin and not too full. And a perfect rosy color like her cheeks. Her long eyelashes swept away the last vestiges of her tears. Even with her eye still bruised, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Slowly, he leaned down and kissed her lips gently.

She backed away quickly. “Hart, someone might see us.”

“We are practically engaged, Mia. Besides, the servants won’t talk.”

She laughed. “Of course they will. Only they will do their best to make sure you don’t find out.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Thomas ran out of the house and approached him. “My lord, a Mr. Tanner is here to see you. He said it was of the utmost importance.”

“Mr. Tanner?” Mia asked.

“The Bow Street runner. I need to see him.” He bowed quickly and then left her standing in the drive. He strode into the house. “Harris, where is he?”

“I made him comfortable in your study, sir. Tea will be arriving soon and the brandy is out.”

“Thank you, Harris.” Simon continued down the corridor and then entered his small study. “Mr. Tanner, I heard you needed to speak with me.”

Mr. Tanner stood quickly and bowed to him. “Thank you for seeing me with no notice, my lord. Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for you.”

“Would you prefer brandy or tea?”

“I would prefer brandy, but I am working so I will drink tea.”

“It will be here presently. In the meantime, please tell me what you have found.” Simon sat in the leather chair behind his desk, closed his book of accounts and placed it to the left. “You said it wasn’t good news.”

“No, sir,” Mr. Tanner returned to his seat and then brushed his blond locks off his forehead. “I have scoured this county and found no one who knows an Allan Davies. The description you gave is too vague. I still have a few people searching London in case this is larger than you want to believe.”

Simon looked up at the ceiling for a moment. “Then how do we proceed?”

“I need to speak with Miss Featherstone privately. There may be some piece of information she has forgotten to give you or was too embarrassed to tell you.”

“Such as?” he demanded. There was nothing Mia couldn’t tell him.

“An intimate detail she may have left out. A scar somewhere on his body that she was too embarrassed to tell you about. Something about the way he spoke or perhaps a limp. It is far better if I speak with her.”

Robert entered with the tray of tea. After placing it on a rosewood table near the desk, he started to leave.

“Robert, please ask Miss Featherstone to join us and bring more tea and biscuits.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Simon turned his attention to pouring the tea. “I will stay in the room while you speak with her.”

“My lord, I really must object.”

“Object all you like, Mr. Tanner. I will protect Miss Featherstone at all costs. She was recently beaten by a man she thought she loved; why would I leave her alone with a stranger?”

Mr. Tanner’s lips rose slowly. “So that’s how it is. I concede, my lord. You may stay in the room.”

Simon handed the tea to the runner and poured a cup for Mia. He then moved to the corner cabinet and poured a glass of brandy. By the time he reached his chair, Mia entered the room. “Miss Featherstone, please join us. This is Mr. Tanner from Bow Street.”