Sinfully Yours

by Cara Elliott

  Devlin heaved an unhappy sigh. “I supposed you are right. I’ll give you my pocket pistol tomorrow. But blast it all, Manton’s handiwork cost me a fortune, so please see that it comes to no harm.”

  “Ye gods, you and your precious pistol.” She made a face. “Don’t worry. It will be safe with me.”

  As opposed to my heart, which I’ve discovered is surprisingly fragile.

  “I shall expect you to replace it if it’s lost or damaged.”

  Anna rolled her eyes. “When Caro was six, she had a favorite doll with a porcelain head and—”

  “We had better not linger here any longer,” interrupted Devlin, in no mood to suffer further indignities. He leaned over and felt around for his shirt. “Only Lucifer knows what demands the coming day will bring, so I suggest we return to our rooms and get a few hours of sleep.”

  Anna watched him fish his clothing up from the stone tiles. Something was wrong. She felt it too. “Wait,” she murmured, as a stocking slapped against the velvet.

  He found her breeches and dropped them in her lap. “Dawn is already creeping up to the horizon. So I suggest you hurry and dress. We both need to face the enemy with a clear head.”

  “Then it’s best we clear the air between us,” she answered. “You’re upset. We should talk about why.”

  Anna saw his body stiffen for just an instant. “I’m tired,” he shot back. “And have done quite enough talking for one night.”

  Could it be that she had wounded more than just pride with her refusal?

  “That may be, but I’ve a few things to say, if you please.”

  Devlin stilled, but did not bring his gaze around to meet hers.

  Drat, he seems determined to make this difficult.

  “You spoke about marriage earlier,” she began hesitantly.

  “And you rejected the idea out of hand,” he replied. “What more needs to be said?”

  “You mentioned honor and duty.”

  You did not speak of love.

  At that, he slowly turned to face, “Did I leave something out?” His smile was sardonic, but it didn’t reach his eyes. A different emotion seemed pooled beneath the fringe of his lashes.

  “Yes.” Her heart was thumping against her ribs. “You did.”

  He smoothed at the crumpled sleeve of his shirt. “What?”

  “Oh, you big lummox,” she muttered under her breath.

  A spark of amusement lit the darkness for just an instant, the first sign of warmth in a while.

  “Are you hinting a lady likes to be wooed?”

  It was her turn to look away.

  I don’t want to be wooed, I want to be loved. But maybe Devlin had been telling the truth when he had said that he didn’t have a heart.

  “Anna, your Mama wouldn’t approve. Wrexham wouldn’t approve. Polite Society wouldn’t approve. Hell’s teeth—I can’t think of anyone who would approve.

  “And since when are you so concerned with the opinion of others?” she demanded.

  He opened his mouth and then shut it.

  To her dismay, Anna felt tears sting against her lids. Love. Was it that hard a word to say?

  Throwing off the velvet covering, she grabbed up her shirt and pulled it on. “You’re right,” she muttered. “We ought to be going.”

  Devlin didn’t budge. In the fire-kissed light, his torso had a smooth, classical beauty, as if it were sculpted out of marble.

  Hermes, the ancient Greek god of thieves.

  No, no that wasn’t quite fair. He hadn’t stolen her heart. She had given it freely. The fact that he didn’t want it wasn’t his fault.

  Swallowing a sigh, Anna jammed one leg, then the other into her breeches. “Have you seen my stockings?”

  “Now who is upset?”

  “Oh, never mind. Here they are.”

  “Anna, there truly isn’t time to continue this discussion right now,” Devlin pointed out. “But be assured, we haven’t finished with the subject.”

  “On the contrary, as you so eloquently put it, what more needs to be said?”

  “This.” He pulled her close and kissed her. Quite thoroughly. “I’m not as clever with words as you are. Give me some time to compose my thoughts. But first we have a pair of cunning criminals to catch.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Despite a fitful few hours of tossing and turning, Anna rose early and was already at her dressing table unplaiting her hair when Josette came in for her morning duties. With her she brought a cup of steaming hot chocolate.

  “I thought you might like some sustenance to start the morning, mademoiselle. You have seemed a little peaked of late.”

  “Thank you.” Anna set it aside, her stomach too jumpy for food or drink. “How very thoughtful.”

  “Smudges.” Her maid was not eyeing any of the clothing in the armoire. “You’ve even darker smudges under your eyes this morning.”

  “I…”

  “Amour,” intoned Josette with a knowing nod. “Oh, a bit of rice powder can hide the signs of love for now. But you ought to think of the future, and decide whether it’s wise to trust your heart to a rogue.”

  Shifting uncomfortably in her chair, Anna found herself wishing that Josette was not quite so clever. “Are you sure that you are not a Gypsy in disguise? You seem to have an uncanny knack for seeing beneath a person’s skin.”

  The maid turned abruptly, spilling a bit of the powder. “Pardon,” she muttered. A quick swipe of her handkerchief dusted the tabletop clean. “I have no supernatural powers, nor do I possess the Evil Eye, mademoiselle. Moving from place to place has taught me to be observant, that is all.”

  Anna bit her lip. She seemed to be offending everyone around her. Josette’s tumultuous childhood had slipped her mind. The maid’s loss of her well-to-do family, the upheaval of her way of life…the poverty that had forced her into service…Ye gods, the Gypsy remark had been a clumsy and careless reminder that she too, was a homeless vagabond.

  “Please forgive me, Josette. It was meant as a jest, but my tongue seems to be tripping over itself lately.”

  “Perhaps I should learn fortune-telling,” said Josette with a shrug that signaled no umbrage had been taken. “I hear that reading the cards is just as popular in England as it is in France. I could make some extra pin money.”

  “I daresay you would be very good at it. And think of the wonderful costumes you could design…” To Anna’s relief, the rest of the dressing interlude passed in friendly chatter.

  “Oh, excellent! I was hoping you were up and dressed.” Caro entered the bedchamber just as Josette fixed the last few hairpins into the place. “I…I have something I wish to discuss with you.”

  “I shall take these shifts and chemises down to the laundry room,” said Josette, quickly gathering up an armful of garments from the floor of the armoire and discreetly withdrawing.

  As soon as the outer door closed, Caro perched herself on the edge of the dressing table. “Well? Did you meet with Davenport after we all had retired?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oooo, how exciting. I wish that I could experience a midnight adventure.”

  Before her sister could demand any details of the encounter, Anna hurriedly confided the outline of Devlin’s plan and her assignment to lure Lady de Blois to the remote automata gallery. “But first I need to meet Dev—Davenport in his room at ten, when it’s least likely for anyone to be moving through the corridors. He is going to lend me his pocket pistol, just in case.”

  Caro leaned forward expectantly. “In case of what?” Her glance fell on the cup of chocolate. “By the by, are you going to drink that?”

  “In case of trouble,” she answered. “And no, I’m not,” she added. “You are welcome to have it.”

  “Oh, do go on,” said her sister after a long swallow. “Why, exactly does he want you to take her to that particular place?”

  “Because it has a storage room with a very heavy door and a sturdy lock. My task is to confine
her there until Devlin can arrange to have both of the miscreants taken away by his government contact,” she explained. “I have an idea on how to trick her into entering it. However, if anything goes awry, I wish to have something more convincing than words to make the comtesse doing my bidding.”

  “How…” Caro paused to pat back a yawn. “How can I help?”

  “Actually, I think it best to for me to deal with her alone,” replied Anna. “She may get wary if I say that you are accompanying us.”

  Her sister plainly didn’t like being left out of the action, but she held back any complaints and merely nodded. “I suppose that makes sense. But surely there is some role I can play.”

  “Actually there is. Can you find McClellan and alert him that Davenport will be looking for him before the hunting party assembles to leave for the moors?” she asked. “You might also warn him that Davenport plans to make his move just before the hunt reaches the Witch Coven and may need help to spirit Verdemont away.” She paused for a fraction. “It never hurts to have message passed on by you too, just as a precaution in case they miss each other beforehand.”

  Caro nodded, not before stifling a second yawn.

  So, I am not the only one plagued by sleepless nights.

  Anna couldn’t help but wonder just how much her sister’s feelings for the rough-mannered McClellan had changed since their initial clashes. But for the moment, she pretended not to see the tiny gesture.

  “Never fear.” For some reason, Caro chose to drop her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’ll handle it.” Hurrying away from the table, she flung open the bedchamber door—

  And nearly knocked Josette off her feet.

  “I’m so sorry! I—I didn’t hear you come in,” stammered Caro.

  “No harm done,” said Josette as she hastily gathered the clothing she had dropped. “I did not wish to intrude on your sisterly confidences, so I was just going to leave these items on the sideboard.” She held out the same shifts and chemises that she had gathered up earlier and explained, “The laundry room’s main tub has sprung a leak, so they have put off the wash day until tomorrow. I thought it best to bring your things back here, so they wouldn’t get lost.”

  “I’m very grateful that you manage things so well, Josette,” replied Anna. “I am aware of how fortunate I am to have found you.”

  “I try to be efficient, mademoiselle,” said her maid. She carefully folded the garments and placed them on the sideboard. “Voilà. I shall now leave you and Mademoiselle Caro to finish your tête-à-tête in private.”

  “Oh, I was just leaving,” said Caro, casting a meaningful look at Anna. “I promised Mama that I would see if she left her embroidery box in the Morning Room.”

  “Yes, by all means, do. You know how cross she gets when she’s misplaced something,” she said.

  With that, her sister lost no more time in quitting the room.

  “Shall I take away the chocolate?” asked Josette, spotting the empty cup.

  “Yes, thank you.” Feeling a bit guilty from earlier, Anna quickly added, “It was delicious.”

  “Bon.” Her maid did a last bit of tidying to the vials and boxes on the dressing table. “Shall you be needing me to change for nuncheon?”

  “No, no. Your time is your own until the supper hour.”

  Josette turned to leave.

  “Thank you again—for everything,” said Anna, nervousness making her edgy. “I hope you know how much I have come to value not only your skills but also your sage advice. I am grateful.”

  The maid quirked a half-smile. “That is kind of you, mademoiselle. Though I fear the differences in our stations of life make it very hard to be true friends, I sense that we are, in many ways, kindred souls, non?”

  “Would that I had your worldly confidence and experience,” murmured Anna. Thinking of the coming challenges had her stomach all aflutter.

  “Be careful what you wish for,” responded Josette. With that, she bobbed a parting nod and quietly drew the door shut behind her.

  Devlin paced back and forth before the sitting room hearth, mentally reviewing his plan for thwarting the vicomte’s attempt to kill the prince while he waited for Anna to make her way to his chambers. Unlike the designs for his intricate automata, he had decided that it was best to keep things simple. As the hunt approached the Witch Coven, McClellan would add a little extra distance between each shooter, making sure to assign Verdemont the lead position. Devlin would be next in line, and when they wound their way into the rocky outcroppings at the foot of the knoll, he would creep in to close the gap. At the first sign of foul play, he would pounce and disarm the Frenchman with the help of two of the burly local ghillies that the baron would station in hiding.

  The gunpowder in Verdemont’s cartridges and powder case had been replaced with a harmless substitute, so his weapon would be useless. Even without that precaution, the man would have little chance against three opponents. And McClellan would keep watch on the top of the knoll, in case an accomplice was lurking.

  Pursing his lips, Devlin tried to think of any flaw he was missing, but things seemed well in order. The prince should be safe and the conspirator caught in the act, allowing the government to eliminate a very cunning foreign agent from British soil.

  The only cause for concern was Anna’s role. He was starting to have second thoughts about having her lure Lady de Blois to the remote automata gallery. The comtesse might appear to be nothing more than a sexual temptress, but the fact that she was involved in a traitorous conspiracy meant she was scheming, cold-blooded, and likely dangerous as a viper if cornered. Anna was clever and intrepid, but if matched against someone who knew a number of sordid tricks—

  He spun around at the soft click of the door latch releasing. “I was beginning to worry that you had been spotted.”

  “I had to wait for the maid to finish dusting the suit of armor outside the Weapon Room,” answered Anna, after pausing to catch her breath. “I’ve sent Caro to alert McClellan that you wish to meet with him before assembling for the hunt.”

  “I’ve asked one of the ghillies to deliver the same message, but thank you.”

  “She wishes to feel involved in the action,” said Anna. “I can’t say I blame her. It is deucedly hard to accept being constantly told you are too young or too inexperienced to help.”

  Devlin cleared his throat. “Then I daresay you aren’t going to like what I say next.”

  The glint of anticipation in her eyes was replaced by a more martial light.

  “We made an agreement,” he hastened to add. “You promised to withdraw if I decide things have become too dangerous.”

  “Having proved myself capable of looking out for myself—need I remind you it was me who found the incriminating letters and then was quick-witted enough to escape without being seen—don’t you think that I have earned the right to argue the point?”

  “We don’t have time,” he muttered.

  “If you’re worried that I don’t know how to handle a pistol, you’re wrong. My father believed all his daughters should know how to defend themselves. Granted, I’ve not handled one of Manton’s pocket pistols, but the principle is the same. And I’ll have you know that I’m an excellent shot.”

  “Lady de Blois might have a pocket pistol as well, or a dagger hidden away in her skirts,” he countered. “And no compunction about striking a mortal blow.”

  “You’re worried that I’m not a match for her?” asked Anna in a measured voice.

  “Yes.” A breath broke free from his lungs. “No. I’m worried that you might be hurt.” And I couldn’t bear it.

  Her expression softened. “You don’t think I worry about you?”

  “I’m just a big lummox, remember?”

  “You are,” she said, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “And I must be a feather-witted fool, for my heart seems intent on overlooking such an egregious fault.”

  Her heart? His insides gave an odd little lu
rch.

  She eyed the mantel clock. “You’re right in that we don’t have a moment to dally in argument. Come, open your workroom, and let us fetch the pistol. At least let me show you that I know how to use it. If you’re not satisfied with my prowess, I’ll do as you ask and won’t confront Lady de Blois.”

  Devlin knew he should not be swayed by that smile. “Very well. But I warn you that I won’t change my mind, regardless. It’s too dangerous.”

  “Fine.” She said something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like “We’ll see about that,” before adding, “We really must hurry!”

  Pulling the key from his pocket, he led the way into his bedchamber. “I will likely regret this,” he muttered.

  “No, you won’t,” answered Anna sweetly, as she took up a position at the head of his work table. “By the by, how is your feathery weapon coming?”

  “It’s finished. You may have a look if you wish. It’s under the chamois cloth by the paint box.”

  He heard a soft gasp as she lifted the covering. It was, he reflected a little proudly, rather a magnificent piece of work. The gold and jeweled detailings gleamed in the windowless light, and the actual workings of the weapon were an exact replica of the real thing. All in all, it was the finest thing he had ever made, and that she admired his handiwork—

  “Actually Miss Sloane, I regret to say that Lord Davenport is right. He will regret this.”

  Devlin whipped around to see Verdemont and Lady de Blois standing in the doorway. The vicomte had a pistol pointed at his heart. “And so will you, Miss Sloane.”

  “I don’t know why the two of you chose to interfere with us,” added Lady de Blois. She, too, was armed, which didn’t surprise him. During their earlier interlude of flirtation, he had noticed that her eyes had a flat, reptilian coldness to them.

  “But you will now pay for it dearly,” went on the comtesse, a note of ugly anticipation in her voice as she flecked the point of her lethal-looking dagger back and forth through the air.