The Earl of Her Dreams by Anne Mallory Page A

something that never seemed to be in short supply for her lately. The man was an utter cad, just as she had first suspected.
    “Search a few people, then give up and do something else?” She felt the need to clarify.
    He winked, his façade once more in place. She was far, far from being amused.
    “I knew you weren’t a Bow Street Runner, but I didn’t realize what a charlatan you really were,” she said evenly and firmly pushed her disappointment aside.
    He raised a brow. “What is your point, Mr. Kaden ?”
    She raised her chin at the jab. “Fine. Search a few people and then be on your merry way. I will solve this on my own. Good day, Mr. Black. Please have the courtesy to keep your merry way far from mine.”
    His eyes narrowed. “You think you can solve Janson’s murder on your own?”
    “I will solve it.”
    “Why do you even care? And don’t give me that drivel about how someone has to care. I could give you plenty of instances of that statement being utterly false.”
    She noted the bitterness in his voice, but it was drowned by the earlier thoughts of why she wanted to find out what happened to Janson.
    “I want to see justice done.”
    He snorted. “Justice probably was done. We both agreed that Janson wasn’t exactly a pillar of the community.”
    Kate ignored him and marched to the door. Solace wasn’t going to be found in this room. Perhaps it wasn’t even to be found at this inn. But she would find it. And she would find out what happened to Janson.
    “Wait, Kate—”
    She yanked open the door so hard it crashed into the wall and recoiled, barely missing her. She was brimming with too much emotion to care. Too much anger, at both herself for allowing accidents to happen, and at the world for punishing her. She marched toward the stairs without a backward glance.
    She could hear Christian swearing as he ran to catch her. He hopped in front of her, blocking the way, his left arm against the banister.
    “Kate, you can’t just walk down there and start making things up.”
    She gave him a pointed look. “No, that would be wrong, wouldn’t it?”
    He brushed her comment aside. “They won’t believe you.”
    “Why, because I’m not the charming Christian Black, Bow Street Runner, founder of the ludicrous Runner’s Code?”
    He glanced over his shoulder. “Shhh. No, because you have no credentials.”
    “Neither do you. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
    She ducked under his arm and marched determinedly down the stairs, through the hallway, and into the dining room.

Chapter 8
    Have no fear. There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it.
    George Simon
to Kate, age sixteen
    E veryone turned as she entered, their chair legs scraping the hard floor.
    “Good people. You may return to your rooms if you like, but I may be coming by to ask a few questions. Please continue to enjoy your stay.”
    The patrons exchanged glances, but didn’t seem inclined to go back to their drinks or conversations.
    “Did you find anything? Are you still searching?”
    Kate tugged her head wrap, her anger converting into nerves as she realized that her actions were putting her directly into attention’s path. She straightened her shoulders resolutely. Looking out over the sea of faces, she knew no one else would take the helm. She caught Desmond’s sneer. Well, at least no one without an agenda. She would just have to deal with the consequences of being center stage.
    “We haven’t found anything conclusive yet. And I can’t divulge any part of the investigation, I’m sure you understand.” She remembered her village constable, who had held the position more or less permanently, saying something equally pompous when a villager had lost a few sheep and blamed his neighbor.
    “No, I don’t understand at all.” Desmond gave her a calculating look. “Why don’t you tell everyone what is going on?”
    “I’m afraid Mr. Kaden can’t do that. He’s under strict orders. If you have issues, take