An Unexpected Gift by Katherine Grey Read Free Book Online Page B

your bloody mind? You’ve left me in my shirtsleeves, and we’re miles from town. You can’t expect me to walk about without being properly attired in this weather.”
    Will felt his jaw harden. “I do. As you do your wife.”
    “I didn’t know she needed those things you mentioned,” Glenville whined.
    “You are her husband; it is your duty to know.”
    “If you leave me here, I’ll see you and your cohorts in Newgate for this.”
    Will laughed. The high and mighty members of Society always thought the law would help them.
    Fingers moved to his side. “Ye sure ya be wantin’ ta do this? He’s an earl.”
    “Perhaps you should listen to him,” Glenville said.
    “’Tis verra cold and three miles will be long.” Fingers waved Patrick forward, Glenville’s things still in his grasp.
    Will stared at the earl for a long moment. “You’re right.”
    He turned away and headed for the coach. “Take his boots.”
    ****
    “Mr. William Prescott to see you, milord.”
    Will stood behind the butler with tightly held patience. He didn’t understand why the butler needed to announce him. Hargrove was expecting him after all.
    “Good. Show him in.”
    He took a step forward as the butler moved to the side.
    “Simmons,” Hargrove called.
    “Yes, milord?”
    “Did Mr. Prescott arrive via the servants’ entrance?”
    “Yes, he did,” Will said before the butler could respond.
    “Thank you, Simmons. That will be all.” The Earl of Hargrove compressed his mouth into a thin line as Will moved into the room.
    Taking stock of Hargrove, he was surprised to see the old man looked younger than when they first met months ago. His hair was still gray and thinning, but his eyes were no longer filled with sadness, but expectancy. Though still gaunt, Hargrove’s frame had filled out, and the air of haunted misery no longer clung to him like a shroud.
    The earl waited until Simmons closed the door, affording them privacy. “Did I not tell you to come to the front door? How am I, and whatever cachet my name still carries, going to give you respectability if you insist on using the servants’ entrance.”
    “I’ve lived this long without respectability—”
    “Only through the grace of God,” Hargrove muttered.
    “I won’t start chasing after it now,” Will finished, ignoring the earl’s comment.
    “You had better if we are to succeed. Without respectability and a sponsor, you’ll never infiltrate the higher circles of society. That is what you want, isn’t it?” Hargrove eyed him with speculation. “Or have you given up your search?”
    “I’ll never give up. Not until I find her.”
    “You believe your sister still lives then?”
    Will nodded, unable to force words passed the feelings of guilt and failure constricting his throat.
    “Good. We made a bargain, you and I, and I expect you to stand by your word.”
    “And I told you, I will not get involved in the marriages of the Ton, yet you still manage to involve me.” He prowled the room. He took in the rich velvet drapery, the lush carpet beneath his feet, the books with their crisp leather bindings lining the walls of the library, the highly polished furniture.
    He hated coming here. He felt out of place, as though he was a lad back in the streets begging every rich nabob that happened by for a coin. He’d accomplished much since then, but coming here...it all seemed to melt away. He was back to begging. Not for money this time, but for something much more important—information.
    “Is it done then?” Hargrove asked, his voice quiet.
    “Aye.”
    “The answer is ‘yes,’ not ‘aye,’” Hargrove snapped. “You’ve spoken without a poor man’s cant since I met you. Now is not the time to revert to it. If you are to infiltrate the Ton , you must look and sound as they do.”
    “Yes, my lord,” Will said with a touch of belligerence as he sketched a mocking bow.
    Hargrove sighed. “I apologize. That remark was unkind. I understand how