The Earl's Return (Marriage Mart Mayhem) by Callie Hutton Page A

“My lord, I did the investigation you requested on that diamond mine yer father-in-law is involved in.”
    For his own peace of mind, Redgrave needed to know if the mine deal was a legitimate one. He’d hired the runner soon after his interview with Rumbold. Although he was quite certain his suspicions were correct, he’d hoped to be proven wrong so he could dismiss the concern he held for his friends.
    “And what did you discover?”
    “You were right. I managed to get my hands on the fancy documents yer father-in-law is flashing about.”
    Redgrave’s stomach clenched at the man’s words. Although he had a good idea how the Runner had managed to get his hands on the documents, he refused to let that trouble him. His major unease came from Charles’s contention that he had been right.
    “Continue.”
    “There are diamond mines in Africa, and even one in the general area that his papers state. But the one we found had been well worked and was not for sale. No one in the area ever heard of the group of men Rumbold lists as the owners.”
    Redgrave leaned back in his chair and rested his chin on his thumb and index finger. This was as bad as he’d feared. “What of the diamond he is flashing about?”
    “Glass. Plain glass.” Charles paused and glanced at his notes. “Anyone with a mind to do so could take it to a jeweler and learn for himself it’s fake.” He flipped his notebook closed and regarded him. “But, no doubt your man would never let it out of his sight. This swindle isn’t even put together that well. If I could get this information, anyone else can. All it took was a couple of well-placed letters. It amazes me how easily blokes of wealth and power are duped.”
    Redgrave wondered the very same thing. The men he’d met who were involved in this were titled gentlemen who he would have vouched for as being responsible and prudent. “Probably because we assume the others are all gentlemen and would never swindle one of our own.”
    Charles shook his head and stood. “I’ll never understand it.”
    “Send me your bill, and I will have my man of business issue you a draft.”
    Once the man left the room, Redgrave spun in his chair and looked out the window at the shadows cast by the fading sun.
    Now what do I do?

Chapter Nine
    Mary took a sip of her tea and laughed at the antics of Lord Grayson. The man was entertaining the visitors in Lady Alice’s parlor by regaling them with tales of his childhood that Mary guessed were mostly made up for their benefit.
    “Lord Grayson. When you were stuck out in the lake with the pack of wild dogs on shore, how did you survive? You look most hale and hearty to me.” Miss Edgeworth blushed slightly at referring to Grayson’s form, but the slip went unnoticed by most.
    “Ah, that my lady, is a secret. Should I ever need to escape a pack again, I do not wish to have it spread around the entire dog population how I evaded them.”
    “Oh you.” Lady Alice tapped him on his arm with her fan. “Dogs don’t talk.”
    He regarded her with large eyes and his hand over his heart. “They don’t? Well, I never knew that.”
    Another round of laughter followed.
    Mary had spent most of the hour-long visit avoiding Redgrave. He had already been present when she’d arrived. She should not have been shocked to see him, since he’d made it clear from the very first that his return to Town was for the express purpose of finding a wife. Lady Alice was an attractive, pleasant, and anxious-to-be-married young lady, and no doubt he would consider her perfect for the role of his countess. It didn’t bother her.
    Not at all.
    Jeanette had arrived shortly after she had. As thrilled as she had been to see Jeanette and have the opportunity to speak with her once again, she was on pins and needles expecting Claremont to arrive at any moment. Yet she was loath to ask her friend if he was expected.
    “Lady Mary, Redgrave told me you and several others supervised a picnic for