"Mr. Desmond, you will find out when everyone does. You just need to wait a few minutes more."

"No." He stalked toward her. "I want to know now."

He grabbed her chin and forced it up. She tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong.

"Now see here, Mr. Desmond-" Elias started toward them.

Desmond pointed a finger, shaking with rage and a bit of madness. "Stay right there. I will deal with this."

"Let the lad go, Desmond," Tiegs said in a lazy voice.

Desmond gripped her chin for another second before roughly releasing her. "Tell me, boy."

She started to say something scathing, but noticed the change in his eyes. He gripped her chin again and started laughing demonically.

"Oh, ho, ho. Mistaken for a girl, I had that reversed. Black isn't a complete idiot, I see. Do this often, do you? Black like his women only when they look like men? What does that cost a gent?"

He released her chin and leaned into her space, his hands planted forward on the table, directly in front of her. A malicious smile curved his thin lips.

"Pardon me?" she asked, completely unnerved.

"Answer my question, whore."

Kate blinked. "What?"

"I said, how much does he pay you to dress as a man?"

Kate looked around the room. Most of the people were staring in fascination at the two of them. Really, these people had had more than their fair share of entertainment these last few days. Mr. Wicket should have been charging stage fees.

A few people looked confused, while Daisy shot her a look of sympathy.

It didn't take long for the confused, few though they were at this point, to catch on, especially after Desmond ripped her cap and head wrap from her head. Her short curls spilled free.

She heard Mrs. Crescent gasp and fought to regain her composure. Hadn't she just admitted to herself that the adventure had been worth her discovery? Well, here it was put to the test.

Desmond grabbed her shirt and pulled her forward. "What's your name, whore?"

She grabbed his wrist and twisted just as she'd seen Christian do. He hissed and raised his other hand. Her vision slowed. Tiegs gestured to his thugs. Elias, eyes wide and mouth open, started to lunge forward. Olivia put one slender hand to her mouth. Mrs. Crescent looked outraged, her eyes trained on Kate. And then there was nothing but a blur of flesh as Desmond's fist descended.

Kate's eyes closed waiting for the blow. There was a shout, and a whiff of air brushed her cheek.

"What is going on here?" Christian's tone was low, the words perfectly enunciated, ice in every syllable.

Kate opened her eyes to see Christian's hand closed around Desmond's fist, mere inches from her face. Christian's knuckles whitened, and Desmond's mad expression turned pained as his face whitened as well.

Christian pushed him backward. Desmond clutched his fist and turned hateful eyes on him. "Your whore here was about to tell us what you pay her."

"Kate is not my whore," he said calmly, as if talking about the weather. "You have obviously been stuck inside too long, Desmond. Perhaps a brisk walk outside and away from this inn would do you good. Perhaps you would care to make it a permanent trip."

"Not until I find out who murdered Julius."

"Ah, yes. Julius's death, an unfortunate accident. I'll be taking it up with the constable when he returns. Mr. Wicket has promised to take care of the body so that it will be ready for burial when his parents return."

"What about them?" He pointed at Benji, Tom, and Sally, who was partially hidden by the men.

"Ah, yes. They have key information about Mr. Janson's accident. They will be coming with me until events are sorted out with the constable."

"Which one of them did it?"

Christian raised a brow somehow appearing bored. "What makes you think one of them did it, Desmond?"

"It's bloody obvious."

"Tut, tut, swearing in front of the ladies."

"There are no ladies here," he sneered.

Kate took a quick peek at Mrs. Crescent and saw her ire finally switch from Kate to another target.

"Now, wait just a moment-" Mr. Crescent started to say, obviously angered.

Christian tapped a well-manicured nail on the tabletop. "I think that does it for this discussion."

He started to turn when Desmond grabbed his coat. Christian immediately twisted his wrist, much as Kate had done, but with enviously more force.

"Under Section Five Hundred Forty-two of the Runner's Code I could have you thrown into Newgate. Ever been to City College, Desmond? It could teach you a whole new meaning of the word 'bloody.'"

Despite Desmond's twisted body position and the obvious pain, he still forged on. "Julius deserves justice. I want them strung up. One, all, I don't care."

Christian leaned in to whisper in Desmond's ear, which was close enough for Kate to hear. "Listen here, you ignorant maggot, unlike you and that misbegotten bastard Julius, the rest of us don't attack innocent women. If I see you again, I will make you very, very sorry."

He pushed Desmond away and brushed off his sleeve. "Under Section Seven Hundred Eighty-nine of the Runner's Code I am not allowed to reveal the details of what occurred until the full investigation has been reported to my superiors."

He turned to address the other guests. "Be at peace, patrons, that justice has and will continue to be done. Thank you all for your cooperation in this matter. I hope everyone has a pleasant trip."

Nickford started to clap, ignoring the way the others turned to stare at him.

The patrons and servants began to murmur to each other, and Kate saw Christian give Tom, Benji, and Sally a signal. They disappeared, probably to retrieve their belongings.

The Crescents made a beeline for Christian and Kate. Unfortunately, there was no way to escape without pushing them over.

Just as Mrs. Crescent started to open her mouth, Christian leaned in. "May I introduce my betrothed, Kate Caps."

Kate wasn't sure who blinked harder, the Crescents or herself.

"A veritable tizzy it was when we discovered this was the only place left to board with the weather closing in as it was, and no way to get through the storm. Kate is helping me with cases. Arrived a few days early. Somewhat of my secretary on the road, if you will."

Kate was too shocked to react. He had just announced her as his betrothed, albeit with the wrong last name. And had he just used the word "tizzy"?

Mrs. Crescent frowned, looking somewhat irritated for being outmaneuvered. "You should have arranged for something else, Mr. Black. It isn't done."

And Kate knew in that instant that the door to her aunt's home was now closed. Mrs. Crescent was just the type to socialize in the same circles as her aunt. They would assuredly meet at a function were she to actually make it to London, obtain her inheritance, and be taken in by her aunt. Kate bowed her head.

"Be that as it may, the next time we see you, we will be a happily married pair. Good day, Mrs. Crescent. Mr. Crescent."

Mr. Crescent stepped in Christian's path. "Forgive my wife, Mr. Black. Perhaps we should sit down and discuss what happened?"

Ah, yes. The information gathering. Both of the Crescents planned to be first to Town to share the news.

"I'm very sorry, Mr. Crescent." Christian looked contrite. How he managed it, Kate didn't know. He didn't have a contrite bone in his body. "What I told Mr. Desmond stands. I am not allowed to discuss this case until I get the say-so from my superiors. Good day to you both."

Kate saw Desmond conversing with Freewater. Desmond directed an evil stare their way as Christian herded her from the room.

"Let's pack. I want to get you out of here as soon as possible."

Surprised, Kate let him lead the way back to the room.

Christian convinced her to dress in women's clothes again, stating that her disguise didn't matter anymore, and it would be better for where they were going for her to be dressed as a female.

She put on a real bonnet, one that covered her ears. Somehow when he had pulled her hat loose, her curls had managed to keep her bad ear undetected.

Packing took little time and soon they were back in the dining area. Bess had put together food for their trip. Kate was surprised to see how much. Bess squeezed her hand. "We are thankful, miss, for what you two are doing for three of ours. Blessings to you and your betrothed."

Olivia gave Christian and Kate a sly smile, taking in Kate's lovely white morning dress trimmed with a cherry ribbon, and scarlet merino cloth pelisse and fur muff. "I see now why you didn't take me up on my offer, Christian. It was very interesting meeting you both."

Tiegs just gave an enigmatic smile, and she saw Christian put a card in his pocket after shaking Tiegs's hand. "His Lord and Ladyship depart. Whatever shall I do for amusement now?"

Kate shook her head, partially confused, and found herself vigorously shaking hands with Nickford.

"Anytime you want to experiment again, you just let me know."

Christian smiled. "We'll be in touch, Nickford. I keep my promises."

"Oh, very good, very good," Nickford crowed.

Mr. Wicket came scrambling in, panting. "My lor-, er, Mr. Black, your carriage is outside. Everything is set."

"Excellent. Thank you, Mr. Wicket, for your excellent hospitality. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance."

"Oh, very good, my l-, sir. Yes, very good."

Mr. Wicket scraped and bowed some more, leaving Kate confused and uneasy. Mrs. Wicket gushed a bit too, furthering her unease. What tales had Christian spun while talking to them?

She turned to see Freewater slumped in the corner near Desmond, two empty mugs in front of him.

After a few more well-wishings they were standing outside in front of a well-appointed carriage. Kate turned a suspicious eye to Christian.

"Come, Kate, we must be off. Very nice of Lord Canley to give the Runners the use of his carriage. In you go."

She stared at the carriage as the last piece slid into place.

Did he think her stupid? She might have been willing to believe he had lied to the Wickets, but when added together with all the hints he had unconsciously dropped and the concrete evidence in front of her, a new alternative seemed quite apparent. She looked him in the eye and saw an expression that was both pleading and promising. She grudgingly stepped into the expensive conveyance, Christian entering immediately after.

Neither of them saw the angry, dark eyes watching from the window.

Chapter 20.

Always remember that your dear old father will always support you no matter what.

George Simon to Kate, age sixteen "W ho are you?"

The question was clipped.

He responded with his most charming smile, hiding a sigh of relief as the carriage picked up speed. She wouldn't try to jump from a moving carriage. "I'm Christian, pleasure to meet you."

"Christian who? Who are you?"

"I'm the same person you met that first night at the inn."

Her face was tense. "Don't play games with me. What is your real name?"

"Christian Black."

"Please." Something moved across her face, anguish or despair, and he lost all amusement.

He leaned toward her. "My name really is Christian Black. Black is our family name." He hesitated. "My father is the Marquess of Penderdale."

"And you?"

He sighed, leaning back into the plush pads. "I am the only surviving son, which makes me the Earl of Canley."

"You are a peer," she whispered.

"No, I am the heir. Unfortunately for all of us." He grimaced.

Her eyes were intensely focused on her clutched hands. "How you must have laughed."

"No, Kate." He tried to take her hand, not liking the direction the conversation was taking, but she shied away.

"Did you find the situation amusing? No, don't answer that, I know you did. Even without knowing you were an earl, I saw the arrogance. Has this all been a joke?"

"No, Kate-"