Free The Fortune Hunter by Jo Ann Ferguson Page B

love had brought him, his brother should know better than to get so moony about a woman after a single meeting. He would have to set Philip to rights, but it must be later. He was already late for his meeting.
    Bending his head into the drizzle, he strode along the street. It had been a pleasant conversation with Miss Dufresne, and he had been honest when he said he looked forward to seeing her this evening, but that would be the end of the matter. Once the “Polite World” discovered she was up and about, his duty to her would be ended.
    If only her blue eyes were not so lustrous and her laugh so enticing.… He shook his head. He was no pup like Philip, who was ready to embark upon his first tangle with love. After Elinor had betrayed him, he had forsworn any such webs of sweet deception again. Better it would be for him to concentrate on the true reason he had come to Bath.
    The vegetable stalls near the bridge were almost deserted, so Hamilton was able to spot his man immediately. Mallory, if he recalled the name correctly, looked as out of place among the few shoppers as a saddle on a sow. The man, who was bulky and cut off like a weathered stump, did not pause to look at any of the offered wares. Nor did he seek shelter under the roof of one of the stalls from the increasing rain. He stood, as resolute as a street lamp, and stared at the people passing him.
    His eyes became dark slits in his full face as Hamilton walked toward him. In lieu of a greeting, Mallory simply nodded. Hamilton motioned toward the street. They would attract less notice if they walked through the surprisingly chilly rain while they talked.
    â€œArrived on the Mail yesterday,” Mallory said with an accent that labelled his birthplace as the heart of London. “I know what ye want me to be doin’, milord.”
    â€œYou are familiar with what has been unearthed so far?”
    He spat into the street and snorted. “Nothin’ worthwhile. Can’t find a man when all ye do is ask about. Should have sent fer me months ago. Now it’ll be harder to find yer man.”
    â€œTownsend recommends you highly.”
    â€œI be one of ’is best.” Mallory hooked his thumbs into the lapels of his wet coat that strained across his full belly. “Not a thief whom I can’t take, milord.”
    Hamilton ignored the round man’s boasting. Whether it was true or not mattered little to him. Townsend’s Bow Street Runners had an excellent reputation for finding their prey, especially as thief-takers. The last man Hamilton had hired had proven to be a miserable failure. Mallory could be no worse, and there was a chance he might do better, even though the trail had grown cold in Bath.
    â€œI shall expect regular reports on your progress,” he said coolly.
    â€œYe’re paying, milord. What ye wants I’ll get ye.”
    â€œI will let you know where we can meet. Understandably, it would not do for you to appear on the doorstep of my house.”
    â€œUnderstandably.” He rubbed his fingers against his unshaven jaw. “As fer an ’ouse, milord …”
    Hamilton withdrew a handful of coins and dropped them in the man’s palm which was lined with dirt. “This should be enough for you to hire a suitable lodging. Send me an address where I can reach you.”
    â€œAye, milord.”
    The man appeared to be waiting for Hamilton to add more, but he had nothing else to say to the Runner. Mallory’s smile faded when Hamilton remained silent, and the shorter man edged away. Hamilton brushed past him to find a hired carriage to take him back to Queen Square. He did not look back.
    Mrs. Ehrlich flowed into the room, clicking her tongue at the bedraggled state of her least daughter. With her blond hair, that was laced liberally with silver, half-hidden beneath a frilled mob cap and an elegant gown of white cambric, which displayed her still superb figure, she always