Free Spoiled Evelyn (The Mail Order Brides of Boot Creek Book 4) by Carré White

Percy. I’ve written him a note, which I trust you will pass along. I’ll return as soon as these men go away. Then I’ll decide my future.”
    “Must you take off across the desert in this manner?”
    “How else will I leave the hotel unnoticed?”
    “I’m sure there’s a back exit, where Mr. Brittle can arrange a dignified carriage for you to travel in. No lady in her right mind would ever dream of dressing so.”
    I placed a man’s wide-brimmed hat over a high bun, which had been secured by dozens of pins. “How do I look?”
    “Dreadful. Just astonishingly awful.”
    “Excellent. That means I’ve succeeded.”
    The slamming of a door was followed by, “You ready? We better go. More lawmen have arrived. It’s like they’re gathering for a Bible revival outside.” He appeared in the doorway, catching sight of me and whistling. “You look good. Never thought you’d look so fetching in trousers.”
    Tory grimaced. “Please, don’t do this.”
    “I need my sack suit.”
    She handed me a tailored jacket with a wingtip collar. “Here, but you can put it on yourself. I’m done helping. I’ll just sit and pray, while you’re away, and hope for your safe return.”
    “My maid disapproves.”
    “I’d never recommend it, but those fellas are gonna beat down your door soon enough. I’ve got horses waiting at the livery. All we need to do is stroll on outta here, nice and easy, as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening. You think you can do that?”
    “I believe so.”
    “All right. Let’s go.”
    I glanced at Tory, giving her a hug. “Please, don’t worry. I’ll be back shortly. A few days hiding and when the danger has passed, I’ll return.”
    “What do I tell them when they demand to know where you’ve gone?”
    “Say that I’ve taken the train somewhere.”
    “They’ll go through all your things. They’ll find your money and jewels.”
    “Gosh, I hadn’t thought of that.”
    “What jewels?”
    “I have some of my grandmother’s things.” I hurried to the bedroom. “I’ll just get them, and we can leave everything in the hotel safe before we go.” Digging through a set of drawers, I found the petticoats, which held the gems and money, tearing them from the hem. “Here we are.” I stuffed the items into a drawstring purse.
    When I returned, Mr. Brittle laughed, “You walk like a girl.”
    “What?”
    “You sashay around like a girl.”
    “It’s the shoes. They’re too tight.”
    “No, it’s not the boots. It’s your walk. You gotta relax your legs and increase your stride.”
    “Oh, balderdash! I don’t have time to unlearn years worth of finishing school practice.”
    “No, you don’t. We’ll have to go over it in the hallway.” He glanced at Tory. “I’ll take real good care of her. You tell Mrs. Hershey what happened. Tell them not to worry. I’ve been hired to watch over Miss Warner, and I take my job very seriously. She’s in good hands.”
    “I don’t like this,” she grumbled.
    “We should go. I don’t even know where you’re taking me.”
    “I’ll tell you after we leave.”
    “I won’t have to sleep out in the open, will I?”
    He reached for the door. “Maybe.”
    I made a face, hating that idea. “Please, no.”
    “Just one night. It’ll be fine.”
    “It’s chilly at night. We’re in the middle of winter!” I followed him to the door, holding the purse.
    “I’ll make a big fire.”
    In the hallway, I practiced lengthening my gait, although it felt strange. Chuck observed me walking back and forth, treading over thick carpet. “This is bizarre.”
    “Try to be a little bowlegged. You got the shape of a boy under those baggy clothes. Make it look like you’ve been in the saddle your whole life.”
    “Goodness gracious, this is ridiculous.” I nearly tripped, because the bottom of the pant legs hung too long.
    “Roll those up quick. We gotta get outta here.” I did so, and then we carried on, descending to the foyer,