Her father loudly cleared his throat. Drat, she’d nearly forgotten about him. “I can’t believe we are discussing—”
“Forgive the interruption,” Lord Perrault called. “But the Duke and Duchess of Landon have just ridden through the gates. I hope you will all do us the honor of stepping back out to greet them.”
Lady Bridgeton put her hand on her husband’s arms. “Let’s retire to our rooms. I am sure we can greet them later. I am fatigued after the journey.”
“Of course, darling.” Lord Bridgeton patted her hand. With a nod, they both began to follow one of the footmen up the stairs.
Her father’s hand came to her shoulder with a good deal more heaviness than she’d ever felt before. “Those were your mother’s diamonds,” he hissed.
“I know,” she answered softly, craning back to see an ashen look upon his face.
“How? How did you know they would be here?” His voice was raspy and thin.
She reached back to place her hand over his. “I didn’t exactly but I knew—”
“Lord Reagan, you should lie down. You don’t look well. Rose will explain everything tonight.” Will stepped closer to both of them. “For now, we will greet the new guests. I know His Grace and he might be able to help us.”
“Help us?” Her father choked out. “You knew the stones would be here too? What are the two of you not telling me?”
“Papa,” she searched his face. His eyes had dark circles and his lips pulled at the corners. “I hardly know anything at all. Now go lie down and have your valet escort you. I’ll tell you everything tonight.” Not everything. Not even close. But enough to piece a logical story together. And she’d need Will’s help on that. Their stories must match.
Curse the man, she’d have to meet him privately again this afternoon.
* * *
Will sat across from the Duke of Landon in a private suite of rooms that looked more elaborate than his own rooms at home. Clearly the man held sway.
He knew why the Perraults had gone all out. Not only was Landon a duke, he was a reclusive one. Until recently, he hadn’t attended any social engagements at all and had only begun participating occasionally after his marriage.
Will knew Landon’s bride, the second daughter of a duke, and her sister. They had both, more or less been wallflowers, though how they managed that with their fiery auburn hair, he couldn’t say. The eldest had tamed a wicked earl and the other an unapproachable duke. Tabbie and Tricia, he’d heard them called. He’d seen Tricia when he’d greeted Landon. She was as lovely as she was sunny in her disposition and her husband seemed as smitten as a man could be.
“It is good to see you again and under less harrowing circumstances,” Landon said.
Will grimaced, at least on the inside. His face was well-trained to remain expressionless. “You as well.” Landon had been at the very illicit auction where Rose’s diamonds had been sold. “A house party is a much safer endeavor.” At least one would think so. Will knew differently of course, but Landon need not know any of that yet. He’d taken this meeting with the man to find out for certain if Landon had been part of the ring of thieves, a buyer, or there for some other reason entirely.
“Glad to see you suffered no ill effects from your relationship with the marquess.” One of Landon’s eyebrows drifted up.
Will took a long breath through his nose. Landon’s eyes were bright with intelligence and standard lies would not do here. Not only was he far smarter but he held a certain amount of knowledge. Will’s longtime friend, Coventry, had attempted to rescue Will from the marquess’s clutches having no idea that Will was there on purpose. It was possible that Landon had just been there to help Coventry. They had been together that night. But Will couldn’t be certain. Rather than lie, Will chose to be vague. “I did not, thank you for asking.”
Landon leaned forward, giving Will a long look. “And out mutual friend, Coventry, how does he fair?”
“Quite well.” Will leaned further back if that was possible. “Though, it’s difficult to tell. He always has his nose in business it likely shouldn’t be in.”
Landon’s eyebrows rose. “He isn’t the only one.”
“I beg your pardon?” Will kept his voice flat.
Landon narrowed his gaze. “I am going to go with honesty here because, otherwise, we might sit here all day exchanging no information at all. I know that you work for Prinny or you did. I know that Coventry had it wrong when he went to rescue you and you were not a hapless victim.”
“Who gave you this information?” he asked, not knowing what else to say. This was the second person who’d learned his secret. What the bloody hell was happening?
“Prinny only informed me when I returned his rubies, the reason I was at the auction with Coventry. Winters also stole from me, but it was property I was shipping for Prinny. When I tracked them down and presented them to our leader, he informed me I needed to attend this party. He begged me to make sure you stay out of trouble.”
Damn it all to hell. Prinny had never given him away before. That could only mean that he truly did not intend to use Will’s services again. But his usual feelings of restlessness did not come with that knowledge. Instead, he pictured his lovely little flower, Rose.
Marriage suddenly seemed like a new adventure rather than a trap taking his freedom and excitement.
Was he actually considering marrying Rose?
“Here I am, not in any trouble at all.” Will straightened in his chair. If Prinny trusted Landon then he did too. Because Coventry had trusted him as well and because he sensed that he and Landon were cut from the same cloth. Though Will shirked society by pretending to be unfit for it, they had both shunned the ton. “Though I could use some advice.”
Landon’s eyebrows near touched his hairline. “It would help if I knew why you were here.”
“Perhaps what I am going to ask has nothing to do with the party. Mayhap I simply need advice on Prinny.”
Landon shook his head. “I doubt it. You have that well in hand I’d say if Prinny sent men to chase after you. You, however, are either here because you are after a woman or a thief.”
He gritted his teeth. Bloody bullocks, how did he know? “I don’t know what you’re—”
“Poppycock,” Landon said as he waved his hand. “First, I saw the way you looked at Lady Rose. As a man who has recently fallen in love, I recognize the feeling.”
Love? The man had gone mad. He was in lust and a woman like Rose was not suited to an affair. But then again, he didn’t think being with her would sate his desire. Though, he was eager to test the theory. “I am considering marriage.”
“Now that you are no longer a spy? Wise choice.” Landon nodded. “So it seems you don’t need my advice there.”
Will couldn’t help it, one corner of his mouth quirked up. For a reclusive duke, he was a good enough fellow. He liked him. “Lady Rose also had jewels auctioned that evening. They held a great amount of personal value.” Will paused assessing Landon. He saw the way the man’s jaw tightened in anger. It was subtle but confirmed his belief Landon was on his side and not in with one of the thieves. “I have to confess I came here to suss out a larger investigation, but I will leave content to allow Prinny to continue on without me, provided that I can retrieve Rose’s heirlooms. I will accomplish that with or without Prinny’s aid.”
“How can I help?” Landon asked.
“First, I wish to know how you acquired the rubies.” Will rubbed his jaw with his hand. “Did you use legal means and have the buyer prosecuted?”
“A spy is asking me how to retain jewels?” Landon grinned. The man was darkly handsome but when he smiled like that, Will was sure he’d had a fair amount of success with the ladies. “I did not use the law, just the threat of it. I quite simply knocked on the buyer’s door and informed him I had several witnesses and a letter addressed to Prinny that would out him for his involvement. He happily handed them over.”
“Rose’s jewel
s were bought by a man who was part of the ring of thieves. I don’t think that method will work,” he rumbled. “But I am loathe to push too hard with Rose in attendance at this party. I don’t know what Bridgeton will do when confronted and her safety is the most important thing.”
“Wait,” Landon drew his brow together. “He is here.” The crease on his forehead deepened. “Bridgeton. I knew he looked familiar.”
Will swallowed. Landon was exceptionally astute. He would have made an excellent spy. “As are the jewels. Or at least the earbobs. We saw Lady Bridgeton wearing them.”
“We?” Landon asked. “Lady Rose saw them as well?”
Will quirked on side of his lips. “Yes, and she did a remarkable job of keeping her composure.”
Landon returned the grin. “I’d say so. Tricia would not have been so disciplined. She is rather unruly, I am afraid.”
Will understood. Frankly, so was Rose. Sneaking into his room. Chasing after jewel thieves. Though he was grateful she’d maintained her composure, he rather liked her willingness to be bold…brave…impassioned. “Lucky you.”
Landon wiggled his brows. “Indeed.” Then he grew more serious. “But I might have a plan. If I am correct, you are going to let Prinny take care of prosecuting Bridgeton. So our best bet is to simply steal the jewels from the thief.”
Will held in the long breath he’d been about to exhale. “We could risk our freedom and reputations. At least in the short term.”
Landon waved his hand. “Pennault is your friend, no? I will have Tricia suggest to Lady Bridgeton that her jewels would be safer in the Pennault’s safe. He has one doesn’t he?”
“I’m sure he does.” Will could see it already but he allowed Landon to continue.
“We’ll take them from the safe. You’ll have to hide them somewhere no one can find them because there will likely be a search. If Lady Bridgeton doesn’t know they are stolen she’ll want them back.”
Of course he could do that. And the plan was a good one. I mean, if Lady Bridgeton took the bait and Pennault would agree to give him the safe code. “But Pennault will know I took them.”
“Doesn’t he know you’re a spy?” Landon gave him an incredulous look.
Will returned the face. “Of course not. That is the whole trick to being a spy. No one knows.”
“Not even Lady Rose?”
A sick dread made Will’s chest tighten. How would she take the news? Did he tell her? It could mean the beginning of a real relationship based on truth. Or, because he’d been so secretive, it could mean the end.
Chapter Seven
Rose placed herself behind a potted plant next to the hall entrance in the hopes of slipping out of the dance unnoticed.
Dinner had been a dreadful bore, she’d been seated as far from Will as she possibly could have been. He, however, had been next to the Duke and Duchess of Landon and, from what she could tell, had completely charmed the couple.
She gave a sigh. Then, of course, the men had disappeared to smoke and drink and she’d been left with the women. The only bright spot in that arrangement was she’d discovered Lady Bridgeton wasn’t wearing any of her mother’s jewels.
She’d have gone over and talked to lady Bridgeton, even ask her about them, under the guise of admiring the earbobs but The Duchess of Landon had the women’s attention.
Now, the men rejoined them, but Will had not sought her out and she was rather trapped by her father’s side. She’d barely been able to sneak away to see what Lady Bridgeton was doing.
“What are you doing back here?” Her father suddenly appeared next to her. She’d been gone but a moment. Drat, he was being protective.
“I thought there was a tear in my skirt. I simply meant to check it.” She swished out her skirts in the hopes it made her story more believable.
Her father narrowed his eyes. “How curious.” He gave her a quick glance up and down. “I did not see Lord Addington all afternoon.”
She tilted her head to the side. “That is what you wish to discuss?”
“He promised that he’d explain to me what is going on. And so did you, for that matter. You were also decidedly absent this afternoon.”
Truth be told, she’d snuck into Will’s room but he’d never returned. She’d hoped to talk with him before she had this conversation with her father. And honestly, the fact that neither her father nor herself had seen Will all afternoon was suspicious. Bridgeton had arrived and suddenly he was unavailable. What was happening? “I was tired, I rested this afternoon.”
“Unlike you.” Her father stepped closer. “How did you know your mother’s earbobs would arrive here?”
“Honestly, Papa. I didn’t.” That was the mostly the truth.
“I don’t believe you,” he answered.
Rose bit her lip. She loved her father, but in this moment, it would be so much easier if he trusted her. She was so close to getting the stones back. And not through Will. Now that she knew they were in Lady Bridgeton’s room, she’d fetch them herself.
If his silence today had shown her anything it was that he might be just as likely to double-cross her as he was to help. All right, perhaps that was too strong. But how did she know he wasn’t plotting with Bridgeton. “If you must know, I came here to meet Will, I mean, Lord Addington.”
Understanding filled her father’s gaze. “Are you interested in a real courtship with him?”
Her immediate reaction was to say no. She didn’t want her father arranging a match with a man who might actually be a criminal. But she had to give her father a believable reason. “I don’t know. Do you consider him appropriate? He’s nearly destitute.”
“I know that is what rumor says but I am capable of sneaking around too and I can assure you he is not. His finances are in excellent standing.”
A small noise, not unlike a chirp emitted from her throat. Because he’d told her he’d been indebted to the marquess. She hadn’t believed it then and for good reason, it wasn’t true. That only left one explanation: he was a thief after all. “But Papa, he told me himself that he was without funds.”
Her father scrunched his brow, though his face was rather relaxed almost as though it didn’t concern him at all. “That is curious.”
“Please don’t make a match with him until we know the truth. Or better yet, don’t make one at all.”
He gave her a curious glare. “But I thought you came to meet him. He’s the first man you’ve seemed interested in since your mother—”
She didn’t want to discuss her mother. She was so close, she needed to focus on the task at hand. “Papa, I must use the powder room. I’ll be back shortly.” If she could just get those stones back, maybe she could think of her mother without hurting quite so much.
With that in mind, she slipped down the hall toward the guest quarters. When Will hadn’t returned to his room, she’d searched out Lady Bridgeton’s suite by pretending to be lost. She easily found it now and pulling a pin from her hair, inserted it into the lock.
“What are you doing?” Will’s voice from just behind her sent shivers racing down her spine.
She stilled. “I could ask the same.”
He covered her hand with his, pulling it away from the handle. His body pressed against her back. “You promised.”
She huffed, “So did you.”
His breath tickled the back of her neck. “I, unlike you, am keeping my promise.”
Shivers raced down her body as his lips tickled the back of her neck. “I don’t know that.” She bit out.
“I’ve caught you breaking your promise. Did you catch me doing anything?”
Drat, he had her. There might be a way to get him to confess, though she doubted it. She couldn’t think straight as his lips trailed down her neck and even if she could, he was exceptionally good at verbal sparring. “Where have you been all day? I needed—”
“Is that why you were in my room? Did you need me?” He licked the sensitive skin behind her earlobe and it wa
s all she could do not to moan.
“I’d hoped we could discuss what to say to my father as to how we ended up at the same party as my mother’s jewels.” Her insides began to tingle in the most delicious way.
“What did you tell him?” He sucked on the flesh and she couldn’t hold in her cry of pleasure.
“That…that I came to meet you.” She barely got out the words. He caressed her arm and his hand had arrived dangerously close to her breast.
“Excellent choice,” he murmured. “Very clever.”
She shook her head, which forced him to stop peppering her with kisses. “Not that clever. Not nearly clever enough to win whatever game we are engaged in.”
He stilled against her. He even seemed to stop breathing, which was only punctuated by the fact that her own breath was coming in short gasps.
“We are a team, so there’s nothing to win between the two of us. But as my teammate, you made me promises. We cannot be victorious if you don’t keep them.”
She almost cried out in frustration. He knew everything about her, practically. Yet, mystery shrouded him still. “I can’t trust you if I don’t know you.”
He dropped his head onto her shoulder. “You know me, love. I swear you do. And I’ll tell you everything else, but not tonight.” Then he spun her and his lips descended onto hers. Far rougher than their previous two kisses, he claimed hers, demanded her attention. It was glorious. Her hands wrapped about his neck as she pulled him closer. It was so wrong. She didn’t trust him and yet she pressed against him with every inch of her body touching his.
She gave herself completely to the kiss, matching him stroke for stroke and when he groaned into her mouth, satisfaction rippled through her.
The kiss went on and on and Rose grew less satisfied with each passing moment. The kiss was magnificent but she wanted more. The clothes between them irritated her, she wanted to feel his skin and touch his body.
She let out a cry of protest when he lifted his mouth from hers. “You’ve got to get back before you are missed.”
Dashing Dukes and Romantic Rogues Page 75