Lady Bess by Claudy Conn

going to make that possible.”
    * * *
    It was some days later and in another part of the country that the dandy found himself once again in a position to regain his financial status.
    In fact, because of the proximity of his situation to that of the Earl of Dunkirk’s, he rather thought he could pull off each job and become rich beyond his dreams.
    Dressed, as he thought, to the nines, he walked into the Red Lion. He seemed out of place as he minced through the galley of the reputable inn.
    He wore his top hat low over his forehead and held a handkerchief to his nose, as though he found the smell of chicken cooking somehow offensive, and managed to hide some of his features.
    He had taken a chance when he chose this place to meet with the blackguard Gypsy, but at least he could not be thought to be at the inn for anything but a pint and a bite to eat. After all, it was an obviously respectable establishment.
    Wiping his hands on his white apron, the innkeeper came forward. The fop waved him off, saying he would return for a table in a moment. And then the high-fashioned gentleman continued to meander around a bit, before he hurriedly, after he made certain no one was looking his way, scurried down the corridor to the back exit.
    He opened the rear door and found that it led him to a charming courtyard to where no doubt people would filter when the inn was overcrowded.
    The courtyard was neat, set with two small tables and a few chairs, and it was quiet, as the galley had not yet filled to overflowing and no one else had found their way there.
    He looked around for a moment and then with some relief saw the Gypsy, whose indefinitpression was stone cold. Warily he went towards him.
    “Aye, then, I did the deed, and now I’ll be thanking ye for the rest of m’blunt,” the Gypsy said, glaring across at him.
    This was a dangerous blackguard, and he did not want to bandy words or have a problem with him. However, he was low on cash and needed to stretch things out a bit longer until he could get his hands on more of the ready.
    “You’ll get the rest when the job is completely done.” He sighed and brushed off an imaginary speck from his dark superfine coat.
    “I’ll get it now, or I’ll cause trouble, I will, see if I don’t,” the Gypsy snapped while moving towards him threateningly.
    The dandy had no doubt the Gypsy meant what he said. He took out a purse and handed it to him, saying, “There is some of what we agreed. The rest you will get when I have proof you have done all that I require. Remember, one week’s time, and we meet again. I will tell you then if it is safe to … dispose of the problem at that time.”
    The Gypsy grumbled something incoherent and eyed the dandy. “Lookee ’ere and believe me that if I don’t get it all in due time, I’ll come for ye, I will.”
    “I understand,” the dandy said, feeling a trickle of fear. He was going to have to find a way of getting his hands on more of the ready—if only he hadn’t spent so much of what he had already acquired for this work. For now, he had to get away from this villain.
    He waved his handkerchief at the Gypsy as he started off and said, “We shouldn’t be seen together now, but we meet again in one week’s time—and you know where.”
     

 
     
    ~ Seven ~
     
    THE EARL OF Dunkirk led his merry party into the courtyard of the Red Lion, looked about, and apparently satisfied, announced, “Aye then, I think this will do.”
    Lady Bess glanced at the charming inn and, noting a window box of daffodils, smiled and said, “Oh, it is lovely.”
    The earl was already off his horse and reaching for her waist. His hands on her sent a wicked but ever so delicious thrill up her spine. However, it was a short-lived sensation as he hurriedly set her on the ground and looked away to say that the ladies should go in and make themselves comfortable while he and Robby made certain their horses were properly cared for.
    Donna announced that she was