To Love a Scoundrel Read Online Free PDF Page B

"All right, but if anything goes wrong, I'll leave you to answer to Allan."
    * * *
    Thirty minutes later Mac and Jewel strolled into the grand foyer of the Golden Dove Hotel. The walls, awash with scarlet and gold wallpaper and brightly burning glass lamps, made a silent statement of affluence, daring to overwhelm even the most prosperous of visitors. Unimpressed, the Pinkerton agents moved past newly arriving guests lining up at the registration desk, and headed toward the doorway with the large gold letters "Saloon" perched above the lintel.
    The steady plink-plink-plink of piano keys pounding out "Buffalo Gals" beckoned reveler and teetotaler alike, but Mac held out his arm just before they passed through the doorway.
    "You'd better stay in the lobby, daughter dear. If Fred Harvey should frequent this establishment, I don't think he'd take too kindly to finding one of his pristine waitresses in the saloon."
    "Oh, pooh," she grumbled, but knowing he was right, she turned away. "Just be sure to let me know when you've got the gambler set up. I'll be over in the corner trying to blend in with the wallpaper."
    Mac took in her Quakerish appearance and chuckled. "In that getup, you won't have to try." Then, with a tip of his low bowler hat, he disappeared into the gay atmosphere of the saloon, leaving Jewel to her own devices.
    She stood tapping her toe against the polished wooden floor for several minutes, longing to join the merriment, wishing she were dressed like the fashionable ladies in the lobby. In keeping with her assignment, she wore a calico dress of dragon green with a plain little prune-colored bonnet hiding her crowning glory. She still wore the spectacles, but had learned to push them as far down her nose as possible, eliminating the need to look through them often. She was drab, dull, and decidedly bored.
    With a sigh, Jewel strolled over by the stairway and sat on a wooden settee. She picked up a copy of Godey's Lady's Book and absently thumbed through it as she studied the visitors sprinkled throughout the lobby. Most of the guests were men, and most, she concluded from their manner of dress, were here for the championship. She scanned their faces, searching for one in particular, finding no one she recognized. She'd seen Harry Benton only once, three years ago in New York City. He'd sported a full beard and coal-black hair back then, and he'd cut a fine figure. Had he changed? Was his hair gray? Would she recognize him if she came face to face with him?
    Yes, she thought with a scowl. She would know him by his small beady eyes, his calculating manner, and his aloof—
    "Is everything all right, daughter?"
    Jewel's head snapped up, knocking her bonnet askew. She straightened the hat and managed a feeble smile when she noticed the gambler standing beside Mac. "Yes, Father. I was just thinking."
    "I sincerely hope you were thinking of someone other than me," Brent said with a tip of his hat. "If looks could kill, I fear I should have to order my gravestone."
    "Given your penchant for sticking your nose in other people's business," she blurted out as she rose, "I would think that to be an excellent idea regardless."
    "Jewel," Mac complained. "Where are your manners? Mr. Connors had just consented to a game of cards. I would like him to think he'll be playing with a gentleman who has raised a fine daughter."
    "I am sorry, Father. I don't know what came over me." Digging deep into the bag of tricks she'd acquired during her college drama course, she turned to Brent and managed to apologize as if she meant it. "Please forgive me, sir. I must be more tired from our long trip than I thought. I believe I shall retire." She gave the gambler a quick nod, then turned to Mac. "Good night, Father. And good luck."
    "Good night, daughter." Mac leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Don't wait up for me. Mr. Connors and I may attract a few other players."
    Again she smiled and gave them a short nod. Then Jewel began to climb the