Read Online In the Barrister's Chambers by Tina Gabrielle - Free Book Online

household duties, then linger in the kitchen until they retired. Only her father’s valet would remain near to assist Lord Lyndale into bed.
    She continued pacing for five minutes more, her eyes drawn to the mantel clock in thirty-second intervals.
    Four o’clock.
    Finally certain she could sneak out of the town house undetected, she rushed to her wardrobe. But instead of opening the wooden doors, she reached behind and pulled out a dress that had been carefully hidden.
    Evelyn shook out the serviceable black fabric and eyed the garment. For a heart-squeezing instant, she felt a stab of guilt. But then she thought of Randolph and pushed the emotion aside.
    The dress belonged to Janet, and Evelyn had taken it from the laundry when no one was about. She was thankful she had purchased Janet new dresses last month to supplement her wardrobe before Evelyn had ever dreamed of needing to borrow her maid’s clothes. Nothing in Evelyn’s own wardrobe was suitable for the Cock and Bull Tavern, and she had told Jack she would dress “appropriately.”
    The truth was she had no idea what would be appropriate attire for such an establishment. As a child, she had spent most of her time at her father’s chambers at Lincoln’s Inn or with her private tutor. And then later—after her father had inherited the earldom—she had begun to socialize with the beau monde.
    Never had she strayed into the unfashionable areas of London, let alone the boisterous Billingsgate fish market.
    â€œIt is of no consequence,” she spoke out loud to herself. “Randolph is depending on you.”
    Tossing the dress on the bed, her fingers reached for the buttons of her own gown. She stripped off the fine muslin, and the chilly evening air made her shiver. She pulled on black stockings and then struggled to don the maid’s dress. She was glad it had buttons down the front instead of down the back—one of the reasons she had chosen it from the laundry.
    A cheval glass mirror stood in the corner of the room, and she frowned at her reflection. The dress was a good two inches short and overly snug in the bosom. Evelyn knew Janet was shorter, but she hadn’t considered the distinct difference in their chest sizes.
    She looked again at the clock. The dress would have to do; Jack was waiting. She would wear a coarse wool cloak to cover the bodice, and the short hem would serve to showcase her economic straits. And along with the serviceable black shoes Janet wore, no one would mistake her for a lady of wealth.
    Grabbing a black hat, she reached for the door handle and crept down the stairs.

Chapter 9
    Jack was standing outside a hackney cab parked around the corner when Evelyn approached. His eyes raked her from head to toe, taking in her unusual attire with a wry smirk.
    â€œWhat took you so long?” he asked.
    â€œI had to wait until Father went to work in his library for the evening.”
    â€œWere you seen?”
    â€œNo.”
    He opened the door to the hackney and held out his hand. “I took the liberty of obtaining a cab. In the area of London where we are headed, my phaeton or carriage would draw a significant amount of unwanted attention.”
    She climbed in and sat on the bench across from him. In the small confines of the cab, her skirts brushed his knees. Jack watched as she fidgeted in her seat and retied the ribbons of her hat tightly beneath her chin, all sure signs that she was anxious and tense.
    Some devilish part of Jack was glad she was nervous, but the rest of him wanted to reach out and touch her, reassure her that he would remain by her side tonight. He mentally shook himself. His warring emotions were becoming all too familiar when it came to Evelyn.
    â€œI don’t like this,” he said. “Your father would not approve of where we are going. Is he aware that the Bow Street Runners are searching for Mr. Sheldon?”
    She lowered her eyes and smoothed