The Formidable Earl (Diamonds in the Rough #6) - Sophie Barnes Page 0,20

being a peer demanded sacrifice and dedication. There’s no room for frivolity or personal indulgences.

Simon shook his head in wonder. When he’d woken two days earlier, he’d been just as determined as ever to remain in the mold his parents had crafted for him. The last thing he’d expected was for it to start falling apart. And yet it had. Or at least that was how it felt in light of the sharp left turn his life had taken. But he was now on a secret mission – a potentially dangerous one – with a woman he’d only just met. And she a courtesan, no less.

It was ludicrous to think of. His friends would never believe him if he told them about it. They’d think he was spinning a tale for the sake of appearing more interesting than he was. And who could blame them? He’d never made a wrong move before, never let so much as a hint of disgrace attach itself to his name. Certainly, he’d gone out more since his mother’s passing, imbibed more, and enjoyed a few transgressions from time to time. Like putting his feet up on the table while reading a book, and slouching.

He cringed.

The very idea seemed horribly dull now when compared with what Miss Strong had to offer. With her, he was going to have an adventure. He could already feel it in his veins and the increased speed with which his heart pumped. It was terribly thrilling. The opportunity he’d not even known he’d been waiting for, to step up and be the hero for a change, had finally come.

His excitement was such he was almost racing toward the front door of Number Five Bedford Street by the time the house’s façade came into view. He climbed the front steps and fumbled a bit with the flowers while trying to find the key.

“Miss Strong?” he called once inside – another departure from his usual self since he’d always been taught it was uncouth to yell indoors. When she didn’t respond he tried again, this time while popping his head into the downstairs rooms.

All were empty.

Was it possible she still slept?

As unlikely as it seemed given the late hour, Simon climbed the stairs and approached her bedchamber door. He paused, frowned, pressed his ear to the wood in the hope of learning if she was awake or not. Stepping back, he stared at the door. And finally knocked.

No answer.

He knocked twice more before easing it open and peering inside. No sign of her here either.

Simon’s skin began cooling. A prickly sensation crept over his shoulders.

Turning about, he darted downstairs and made for the kitchen. The room was chilly – completely devoid of life. There was no longer any doubt in Simon’s mind. Miss Strong was gone. She’d left him and…

Dear God.

What if she’d been taken? What if the man who’d attacked her last night in the alley had followed them here after all and snatched her away? She’d been alone, completely without the protection he’d promised he would provide. And he, damnable fool, had assured her she’d be all right here until he returned. He’d thrust a pistol into her hand and left her.

With a surge of panic prompting him to imagine the worst, Simon stalked through the house while searching for signs of a struggle. What he found was an unmade bed, a discarded cookbook in the library, and a biscuit tin on the kitchen counter along with a half empty teapot. He paused at that. She’d made tea for herself. A frown knit his brow as he glanced around with increased scrutiny. There were no signs of a struggle, no indication she’d been hurt or taken. And yet, he refused to believe she’d decide to walk away without even bothering to leave him a note.

Although it did appear as though this was precisely what she had done.

The panic started to simmer, then boil, until it turned to anger.

Here he was, an idiot holding a very expensive bouquet of flowers, almost desperate for the company of a woman who was by all accounts beneath him in every conceivable way, and she had the audacity to quit their partnership without having the decency to face him?

He ought not be surprised. Good God, she was a fallen woman, for heaven’s sake. Although he would have expected Matthew to have raised his daughter with better manners and—

“Oh. You’re finally here.”

Simon spun around so fast he almost lost his balance. He wobbled slightly, regained his