The Royal Scamp by Joan Smith Page A

different direction. There were some striking similarities between Fletcher and Meecham. As Clifford pointed out, both were the right size and coloring to be the notorious highwayman, or could be with wadding in the shoulders of a jacket. Both had arrived at the inn at the same time, and both were remaining longer than guests usually did, both using the pretext of wanting to buy a house in the neighborhood. How could she know whether they were lying? Joshua hadn’t met Meecham before this visit, and it was possible Meecham had invented the whole matter of being at Harrow with Josh’s cousin.
    Esther thought and thought. It occurred to her that there had been two men involved in last night’s robbery, and perhaps Fletcher and Meecham were a team, calling themselves ex-soldier and sailor to confuse everyone. How they must be laughing at her if she had set one thief to watch his partner. After much earnest effort all she could think of was to follow Clifford’s advice. She’d try to learn more about not only Meecham but also Fletcher.
    She couldn’t pursue any of her goals from her room, so she tidied her toilette and headed for the door. Glancing at the tea tray, she decided to take it to the kitchen herself, down the servants’stairs. She had just entered the hall when Mr. Meecham’s door opened and he, too, left his room. He gave a start of surprise when he saw her. “Miss Lowden!”He looked at the tea tray and the door from which she had issued. “A shortage of servants?”he asked archly.
    She gave an answering smile, engineered to disarm suspicion. “Not quite. I am having my saloon painted, and am living at the inn for a few days.”
    “Let me take that to the kitchen for you.”He took the tray from her.
    “Thank you. Did Joshua Ramsay find you last night? He was at my house and mentioned coming here to look you up.”
    “He stopped around for a moment, but as I was busy at a card game, he didn’t stay long.”But it wouldn’t take long to mention having spoken to the Finance Department, and Meecham would pump him for any useful information. It was, presumably, the meeting with the Finance Department that Josh would have discussed with his protégé . “You’ve heard of Captain Johnnie’s latest stunt?”
    “I have. Shocking, is it not?”
    “You must take care not to go near the heath after dark, Miss Lowden.”
    She gave him a conning smile. “And you, too, Mr. Meecham.”
    On this superficial pleasantry Mr. Meecham took the tray to the kitchen, and Esther set off to find Joshua, to pick his brains.
     

Chapter Eight
     
    Joshua Ramsay had heard of Captain Johnnie’s latest atrocity and, like half the gentlemen in the neighborhood, went pelting off to the Lowden Arms to discuss it with his colleagues. His dark brows drew together when he saw Esther tripping toward Buck’s office. He went storming in after her.
    “Esther, for God’s sake, go home. This is no time for you to be in a place like this! Every yahoo in town is here this morning.”
    He was back to his usual self, all reckless charm abandoned. Esther almost felt she had imagined that romantic kiss the night before. “Why should I be different from the rest of you? It’s my inn. Sit down, Josh. I was just going to ask Buck to send a footboy after you. You’ve heard about the gold robbery?”
    “Of course. That’s why I’m here.”
    “Did the gentleman at the Finance Department in London happen to mention the shipment to you yesterday?”
    “No, he didn’t. Why do you ask?”
    “Just curious. I don’t see how else anyone around here learned of it. I thought you might have mentioned it to Meecham last night—inadvertently, of course,”she added hastily as Joshua’s scowl grew to dangerous proportions.
    “The Scamp must have an accomplice in London,”he replied coolly. “Or perhaps Johnnie himself operates out of the city. We never had any proof he’s staying in our neighborhood.”
    Esther pondered this idea, unhappy