She nodded and took the glass from his hand. After taking a few sips, she placed it on the desk. “We were looking for a man to make the contact with the Ambassador, but it was a woman.”
A woman? Dante raised his brows. “Start at the beginning.”
She quickly went through what had happened at the table. He sat stunned as she went through the scenario. He had to admit it had taken him by surprise. “A courtesan? All this time?” He stood and began to pace. “How the devil does someone like her get Crown secrets?”
Lydia shrugged. “Having very little contact with someone of her ilk, I could not say, but don’t men tend to say things when they are . . .”
Despite the situation, Dante had to grin. “When they are what?”
She waved her hand. “You know.”
He placed his hand on his chest and attempted to look surprised. “Do you think I would know what you’re referring to, Miss Sanford? Me? Innocent me?”
She scowled at him. “Do I need to slap you on the head?”
He pulled up a chair and swung it around, sitting so his arms rested on the back of the chair. “That would have to be the only way she could get secrets like that. Now we have to decide what to do.”
“Go to the theater, of course.”
“Yes. But we need to set a few things up. First of all, Sir Phillip must be advised. He will want someone in authority there when the switch takes place.”
“Of course.”
“Now that we know the transfer of information will be done at the theater, I am even more reluctant to have you attend with the Ambassador. This could be a serious and possibly dangerous situation.”
“No. I have to go. We need to behave as if nothing is wrong. I’m even a little concerned that I left the table shortly after the conversation between him and the woman took place.”
Dante leaned his chin on his fisted hands. “He has no way of knowing the dealer was you. And you said they conversed in Russian. How many card dealers would be familiar with Russian?”
“I guess I’m just a bit jumpy at finally having something to work on.” She looked around the room. “I could use a cup of tea right now.”
What he could use was a snifter of brandy, and Lydia spread out on the bed in the bedchamber down the hall from them. Sans clothing. But that idea was wrong. Very, very wrong.
He stood. “Come, let us see if there is hot tea in the dining room. If not, there is tea downstairs at the buffet table, although the men who avail themselves of the food and drink rarely opt for tea.”
“How can you be so calm? I am beside myself with excitement.”
They entered and left the dining room quickly since there was no tea to be had there. They made their way downstairs to the gaming floor. He led her over to the buffet table and Lydia quickly made her cup of tea. She shook her head no when he pointed to the table of biscuits and sweet treats.
Dante snagged a brandy from the bar and they made their way back upstairs. He stared at Lydia as he sipped his brandy. She removed her mask and was flushed with excitement, something he would like to see in the bedchamber a few doors down.
He really had to take his mind far from those thoughts. As they sat in amicable silence, he pondered exactly where he and Lydia were in their relationship? Friendship? Partnership? Which was it? And which one did he want it to be?
So many questions and so few answers. He’d never wanted a permanent relationship. With no need for heirs, he expected to spend his life unmarried. He’d never felt the need to share his life with someone.
And then Lydia had arrived in his life. The Lydia he met with his arrogance and dislike had changed into the Lydia he not only enjoyed spending time with but of whom he’d found himself feeling quite possessive.
Aside from that, she was a beautiful woman with a body that was made for loving. Given what he’d learned so far, he had no doubts that she would be an enthusiastic bed partner. But she was a lady. Ladies did not have affairs unless they were very discreet widows.
As much as he’d wanted to fit her into the typical ton category—flighty, gossipy, impressed with money and titles—she was none of those things. The devil take it, the woman just translated in her head a conversation in Russian!
No she was not your typical ton female.
Then, where did that leave them? He truly did not want to shake her hand and say goodbye when the assignment ended. From what he’d seen of her reaction to him and his kisses so far, he doubted she wanted it to end, either.
But what, exactly, was it?
Lydia paced in her bedchamber, her skirts swirling as she turned to walk one way, then another. The Ambassador would arrive within the next few minutes to escort her to the theater.
According to the plan they’d devised with Sir Phillip, he would have sworn officers unknown to anyone from the Home Office in the theater lobby, posing as footmen.
Dante would be in the lobby as well, and she would be with the Ambassador in his theater box. She was assuming once the performance began he would leave to meet his contact in the lobby. If all went well, it would be accomplished in a matter of minutes, with both the Ambassador and the woman he was meeting, in handcuffs and led from the building.
Then it would be over.
And it was that thought making her pace. Not the excitement of bringing down the Ambassador—much to her chagrin since she prided herself on her work—but the thought of after weeks of being together, she and Dante would most likely go their separate ways.
Before she could twist herself completely into knots, there was a slight knock on her door. “The Ambassador has arrived, Miss Sanford.”
She thanked the maid and grabbing her reticule and shawl, left her room and headed downstairs. Father stood in the entrance hall, speaking with the Ambassador. She’d told her father a bit about their investigation. Not enough to compromise it, but just so he would know the Ambassador escorting her to the theater was not to be considered noteworthy.
Of course, Father had surprised her by clearly stating that in his opinion, Mr. Dante Rose was a much better catch than the Ambassador.
Not that Dante was swimming around, waiting for someone to ‘catch’ him, she’d retorted. Father just gave her one of those enigmatic smiles and whistling an off-key tune, walked away.
The Ambassador looked up as she descended. Due to Dante’s concerns, and truth be told, her own as well, she wore a reasonably modest gown. The neckline was certainly high enough to discourage too much leering. She had also tucked her ever-ready hat pin into her reticule.
He bowed and took her hand. She was grateful that she’d already put on her gloves as he slobbered over her hand in a kiss. “You are beautiful, Miss Sanford. I am honored that you have allowed me to escort you to the theater this evening.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.”
He took her arm and tucked it into his, pressing her body next to his. She moved slightly so they weren’t touching. It certainly did not feel as it did when Dante had done the same thing.
Dante’s form was muscular, where the Ambassador’s was soft. Dante smelled of bergamot while the Ambassador smelled of onions.
Now that they were on their way and she knew what the evening would bring, the butterflies had returned to her stomach.
Dante was nowhere to be seen when they entered the lobby. Lydia examined the footmen, wondering which ones were officers of the law. Everything seemed perfectly normal, but she still felt shaken inside. If only Dante were here, just one glance at him would calm her.
“Would you care for a glass of wine, Miss Sanford? Or perhaps some lemonade?”
She was quite thirsty, but with how tight her muscles felt, she doubted she would be able to swallow anything. “No. But thank you.”
He strolled them over to the table where the drinks were being served. “No whisky?” He picked up a glass of sherry and glowered at the footman, as if the poor man was responsible for the lack of drink the Ambassador preferred.
Th
ey made light chatter, with other people stopping by and speaking with them. There was more than one quelling glance at seeing the two of them together.
Just as the footman announced the attendees should find their seats, she spotted Dante leaning against the far wall, his eyes boring into hers. He offered her a slight salute and a smile. He then turned and sauntered with the rest of the crowd to their seats.
He climbed the stairs, going to Hunt’s box, she assumed. She and the Ambassador moved smoothly with the crowd to the upper floor, where he opened the heavy black curtain to his box, and she stepped in.
Good grief, she felt as though she were about to swoon. And she never swooned. She really had to get herself under control and act as though this was just like any other night at the theater.
They took seats near the front of the box, the Ambassador grasping her hand and setting it on his thigh. Had she not known he would be disappearing within ten minutes, she might have run screaming from her seat. The last thing she wanted was for her hand to be anywhere near his man parts.
Her heart pounded so rapidly she swore he must have heard it. In fact, they must have heard it in the box next to them.
“Are you looking forward to the play, my dear?”
My dear? Oh good heavens, how could ten minutes take so long? She nodded and furtively patted the sweat from her upper lip with her lace-edged handkerchief and took a deep breath.
Finally, the orchestra began to play and after a few minutes the curtains opened, and the play began. As planned, about ten minutes into the performance, the Ambassador leaned over to her, his warm malodorous breath wafting over her. “I’m afraid I must make a quick visit to someone.” He raised her hand again and kissed it, staring into her eyes. “I shall be right back, my dear. Enjoy the show while I am gone. I have a wonderful surprise for you when it is over.”
And I have a not-so-wonderful surprise for you in a few minutes.
17
Dante reached the lobby no more than five minutes after the curtain had raised on the play. There were a few stragglers who had hurried across the room to either boxes on the next level or seats in the main area of the theater.
His instructions from Sir Phillip had been to be present to witness the exchange of information, but not to involve himself in it. He’d been assured there were several men posing as footmen who would arrest the Ambassador and his female partner.
Lydia was to wait in the Ambassador’s box until Dante fetched her. For that he was grateful. Just in case something went awry and violence broke out he didn’t want her anywhere near the lobby. She hadn’t been too happy to hear that news, and it was only after he’d showed her Sir Phillip’s missive with the instructions that she’d yielded to the order and agreed to remain hidden.
He took up a position against the wall across from the entrance. The woman who Lydia had described entered the lobby and smiled brightly at the man at the door. Instead of moving to a box or seat, she strolled the lobby, attempting to look as if she waited for someone.
That had to be the woman to pass information to the Ambassador. Dante looked from footman to footman, but none of them appeared to be anything but theater employees. But then, he was certain he didn’t look like a government spy ready to take down the Ambassador of Germany.
His heart sped up when the Ambassador hurried down the stairs from the upper level. He looked around and with Dante concealed behind a large potted plant, the man seemed assured that all was well.
They spoke in what Dante assumed was Russian, of which he didn’t understand a word. Lydia would be of use now, but since she was ordered to stay far from the exchange, nothing could be done for it. However, he wasn’t interested in what they were saying, only in witnessing the exchange.
The couple seemed to argue, but eventually, the Ambassador withdrew an envelope from his jacket pocket. The woman opened it and after examining it thoroughly, she stuffed it into her reticule.
Looking annoyed, the Ambassador held his hand out. The woman handed him what appeared to be several papers. He glanced through them, a smile on his face. He nodded in her direction and turned toward the stairs.
The woman moved to the door and was immediately stopped by the footman there. Two other men seemed to appear from nowhere and blocked the Ambassador’s attempt to climb the stairs.
It took about ten minutes for the Home Office men to convince the Ambassador to go with them. The woman and the other man at the door had disappeared almost as soon as he’d blocked her from leaving.
There was a great deal of shouting on the part of the Ambassador, as well as threats and other consequences for the men to be accosting him in the lobby of the theater. Eventually, they all moved from the lobby and out the door.
It was finished.
In the morning, he would write up his report for Sir Phillip and have it delivered to him. No doubt there would be a summons for him and most likely Lydia as well to appear at the man’s office post haste.
His usual sense of relief when an assignment ended successfully was simply not there. No feeling of satisfaction, of being happy and anxious to get back to his normal life. His ‘no Lydia’ life.
He shook his head and began the climb to the upper floor. The footman had provided him with the information on which box was the Ambassador’s where Lydia waited. The time had come to tell her the assignment was over. They could now part ways. Resume their lives as they were before they’d received the summons from Sir Phillip to entangle themselves into the German Ambassador’s life.
He dragged his feet, giving himself time to consider what it all meant. How had his feelings for Lydia changed since they’d sat in front of Sir Phillip’s desk all those weeks ago and learned they were to work together? He’d thought her a prissy female who looked down on anything male. A spinster who loathed him and all he stood for.
Over time, he’d found her to be smart, witty, kind and oh, so desirable. And quite receptive to his attentions. With the end near, the time had come to examine the feelings he’d been pushing back for weeks while telling himself there was no reason to examine them since they had work to do.
The work had ended. He reached for the curtain to the Ambassador’s theater box and drew it back.
Lydia tried her best to concentrate on the play since there was nothing for her to do until Dante arrived to tell her the exchange had been completed and the Ambassador and the woman were under arrest. Or whatever they called it when an Ambassador from another country was taken into custody.
She couldn’t help but grin at the thought of the pompous man’s reaction when he was detained and hustled from the theater.
Fidgeting in her seat, unable to think of anything except what was going on downstairs, she stood and moved to the back of the box where she was quite certain she could not be seen by other theater attendees. It was dark enough back there that she could hide.
And fret.
Her fretting began with the orders from Sir Phillip that she was not to involve herself in the exchange of information. Truthfully, when Dante first told her she would have to remain up in the theater box when the exchange took place, she balked. A typical male response. He was the big, bad man who could watch it all happen, but she was the weak, swooning female who must be protected from it.
Then when he showed her the instructions and orders from Sir Phillip where it had been clearly stated that she was to remain on the upper floor, she’d conceded. Not that she liked it any more, but at least it wasn’t Dante playing the protector again.
As she wandered the small space she thought about what was going on downstairs. Did it all go peacefully? Did the Ambassador carry a pistol? Had the woman even shown up? Lord, she certainly hoped so since she’d had no intention of spending the rest of the evening with the Ambassador. Especially when he’d mentioned the wonderful surprise he had for her. She shivered at the thought of what it might be.
She moved toward the curtain and peeked out. No noise, no shouting, no sound of a pis
tol going off. She checked her timepiece, but since it was dark, she couldn’t see it. Hopefully it would all go smoothly. And the assignment would end.
No more Dante.
No more ton events with Dante.
No more working at the Rose Room with Dante.
No more kisses from Dante.
No more anything else with Dante.
A sense of depression washed over her as if she stood in bright sunlight and a dark cloud passed over the sun. Perhaps it was time to admit her feelings for the man went beyond a partnership. She continued to pace. If that were true, then where did that leave her? With a broken heart?
Dante was well known for his adamant position on marriage. It was not for him. Although he hadn’t spent time with the Beau Monde, his reputation certainly did. One thing that everyone had agreed on was Mr. Dante Rose would never commit to one woman. He’d apparently voiced that opinion numerous times.
He desired her. That was obvious. And perhaps he desired numerous women over the years, but she was willing to bet that he’d never spoken with a woman the way they had, or discussed the things they’d discussed with a woman. Would that make a difference to a man like Dante?
She took in a deep breath when the curtain parted and the man taking up all her thoughts entered the theater box.
They stood staring at each other for what seemed a lifetime. Finally, she gained her voice. “Is it over?”
He nodded and walked nearer, the curtain swinging closed behind him. “Yes. He was arrested and removed from the building. The woman was also taken away.”
“Ah.” Instead of the joy she should feel, she felt empty. “So that’s it, then.”
“Yes.”
That one word crushed her, not that she’d expected him to say anything different. She took a deep breath. “Then I guess we should leave.” She turned and picked up her shawl and reticule, blinking furiously at her stupidity.
An Inconvenient Arrangement: Rose Room Rogues ~ Book Three Page 14