by Kim Allred
The cold days were accompanied by winter sunshine, and the women found time to walk the gardens while the men went on bird hunts. The hunting party rarely produced any fresh meals. AJ concluded the men had found a way to avoid endless planning sessions in stuffy rooms.
The day after AJ and Finn arrived, Thorn and Dodger drifted in. They'd been in London when they'd received word from Hensley and left as soon as their last assignment was completed. Thorn hadn't changed from his rogue persona. From what Finn told her, the dapper man still caroused in gentlemen clubs when he wasn't performing a task for Hensley. Dodger continued his constant vigil over Thorn. The man had always been a silent observer, but AJ wondered if he'd ever gotten past the loss of Peele at the monastery. Thorn had never replaced his lost bodyguard. Maybe it wasn't that Thorn required two bodyguards but that Dodger and Peele had just come as a pair. Either way, it was good to have Thorn and Dodger back with the team.
The team met in the library twice each day to discuss their next steps, but each plan either resulted in more dead ends or harrowing escapes.
Ethan paced around the room while everyone else flipped through books or stared at nothing in particular, lost in their own thoughts. "I think we're getting bogged down by this desire to kill Dugan and Reginald. I'm not saying we shouldn't take the opportunity if we have it, but the goal is this grimoire. Surely, if Reginald doesn't have the book, he'll become less of a threat."
Maire shook her head. She sat next to a small side table where she'd laid out her pages of translations and notes. She kept rearranging them as if trying to make sense of their best order. "He may not be as intelligent as Beckworth, but he's become obsessed. I doubt he'd give up, especially knowing about the monastery. If he has the patience, he could wait until the war with France is over."
"With the smuggler routes, he wouldn't have to wait for the war to end if he has enough coin." Jamie stretched then stood next to Finn, who stared at a wall map of England. "What do you find so interesting?"
Finn turned and smiled at his young friend. "Nothing really. I've been thinking of Waverly's defenses." He leaned against the sofa and crossed his arms.
"We didn't get a very good look since Beckworth already knew where the women were being held. It doesn't have the walls or moat of a castle, yet it will be difficult to breach with the small army Dugan has built."
"A full-scale attack on Waverly wouldn't be taken lightly by the Crown, even with eyes turned toward France." Hensley stuffed a meat-filled pastry into his mouth, then returned to writing letters. Several were already stacked on the corner of the desk.
Thomas leaned over a table on the far side of the library. Fitz, who turned out to be an amazing sketch artist, had drawn a map of Waverly. He'd used Maire's knowledge of the inner house and gardens since she'd lived there for almost two years as Beckworth's kidnapped guest.
Thomas scratched his head. "The only way I see getting into Waverly is to wait for Reginald and Dugan to leave. There will still be men there, but if Beckworth could tell us which servants we could trust, we might be able to send one or two men in."
"Assuming that guttersnipe would be honest with us." Thorn had been unhappy to hear that Beckworth still lived. Then he'd been outraged to learn Beckworth was now helping them. AJ never knew what the bad blood was between Thorn and Beckworth, but Finn assured her he'd keep Thorn under control.
"He can be trusted with this." Lando leaned next to the library door like a sentinel and simply stared at Thorn as if that was all the explanation that was needed.
Thorn scowled at Lando, but when he glanced at Finn, he stood down. "Fine. Beckworth may have duped you with his charm, but I'll be keeping an eye on him just the same."
"Good. You should." Finn stated. "Beckworth has been helpful because he wants Waverly back." He walked over and patted Thorn on the shoulder. "And he hates his half-brother as much as you hate him. So we focus on the book and leave Reginald to Beckworth."
"That's like giving a mouse to a cat." Maire smirked. "Reginald isn't as cunning as his brother, but his little army might be enough to hold Beckworth off."
Ethan nodded. "So that leaves Dugan."
"He's mine," Finn and Thorn both called out, leaving the group to watch which of the two would give ground.
AJ understood Finn's desire for revenge for the torture he'd endured under Dugan's orders. But Thorn's only thought was of Peele. Finn had killed the duke. Thorn's only vengeance would be Dugan.
The two men stared at each other until Finn grinned. "Aye, mate. It's only fair. You get Dugan. But if you miss, I won't wait to give you a second chance."
Thorn, being Thorn, returned Finn's grin with a grand bow and slow smile. "If I miss, it will only be because the bastard killed me."
"Then I'll be sure to clear the debt."
They both nodded, and Thomas cleared his throat. "So back to the problem of getting into Waverly once Reginald leaves."
"It won't work." Maire's gaze turned toward the hearth. Her cheeks held a rosy glow, and the shadows under her eyes were gone. She was still thin, but the new dress, tailored to her new weight, made Maire seem more a pixie than an emaciated survivor.
"Why not, Maire?" Hensley asked, still nibbling appetizers with his afternoon tea. "This Reginald sounds like a man who would travel with a large contingent. That should leave a skeleton of men at Waverly. We'll have to confirm this with Beckworth, of course."
Maire nodded her agreement of Hensley's assessment, but rather than respond with her doubts, she selected a sweet pastry. She ate her dumpling between sips of tea while everyone waited. AJ suppressed a smile at the men's annoyance, yet no one said a word. One thing about this century—everyone had manners.
Maire wiped her fingers on a napkin and stared up at everyone as though she hadn't known they were waiting. AJ glanced away, afraid she might laugh out loud. Held captive for six months in deplorable conditions did nothing to sever Maire's backbone. And it appeared she wanted to make sure everyone paid attention this time.
"I told you from the start how important this book is to Reginald. So important that he won't let it out of his sight." When the men didn't say anything, she sighed. "If he leaves the estate, the book will go with him."
Thomas threw a pencil across the room. "Well, damn it. That's no good."
"Maybe it is." Finn moved back to the map of England.
Jamie perked up. "Yes. But I don't know if we have enough men."
"You mean to take him on the road?" Ethan asked. He ran a hand through his hair, his pacing continued. "Maybe. We'd still need someone inside, in case this was one time he left the book behind."
"Beckworth would know the hiding places," Maire suggested.
"Assuming Reginald didn't add a few of his own," AJ countered, then turned to Finn. "Where will you get more men?"
"I can probably scrounge up a few men." Hensley picked up his quill and began writing. "Thomas, do you think the earl has any more he can spare?"
Thomas glanced at Ethan, who nodded. "He might have a few more."
"It's still a risk." Hensley sat back, the quill still in his hand. "The men would need to be disguised."
Finn shook his head. "It won't matter. They'll know who took the book."
Ethan seemed to agree. "Even if we take their valuables and make it look like a robbery, no highwayman would take a book."
"At least it's a start and better than anything else we've come up with. Why don't we break and let the idea sit for a bit?" Jamie offered his arm to Maire. "Would you care for a stroll in the garden? I think it's a little warmer today." When she nodded her agreement, he grinned at Ethan, who could do nothing more than nod with a tight smile as they walked past.
AJ stepped next to Ethan before he could follow. "Let Jamie bask in the glow of a beautiful woman. Although I hear he might have a woman or two in some distant ports. It will do him good to spend time with Maire."
Ethan grunted.
"Don't be jealous. She's already given her he
art away."
Ethan's silvery gaze locked with hers, seeming to need any reassurance he could get. "We've spent so much time apart."
"She enjoys the attention, and she would never fall for Jamie's pretty words." Finn slapped a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Hensley has set up the gaming table. I think Lando is interested in winning back some of his money."
Ethan chuckled, and his shoulders relaxed. "Then perhaps I should dissuade him from that notion."
"Nice try, Hughes. But I'm feeling lucky today." Thorn grabbed two meat pies before following Hensley and Lando out the door.
Ethan followed with Fitz, who was already counting his coins.
AJ turned to Finn, something different on her mind. "And did you plan to follow?"
Finn pulled her close. "I'm considering offers."
She giggled and ran a hand up his chest before stroking his cravat. "I have it on good authority our maid is busy with a task that will take at least an hour."
"Only an hour?" Finn asked as his hands moved down her back.
AJ pulled away. "Let's consider it a challenge." Then she turned and raced for the door, trying to stifle a laugh as she heard Finn chase after her.
42
AJ raced through the bedroom door and stopped at the four-poster bed. She braced a hand on the bed, fighting to calm her rapid breathing as she waited for the dull ache. The door shut behind her, and she heard the click of the lock. She waited, expecting a headache after her short run.
Strong hands ran down her arms before she could turn. "Let me help with your dress." Finn's hands moved to her shoulders, and she leaned into the gentle massage. "How's your headache?"
"Barely there." She moaned as Finn's massage melted away any remnants of pain. She rolled her head to the right, and Finn took advantage by placing warm kisses on her exposed neck. Small shivers raced down her spine. They hadn't made love since the night of their wedding, and her body ached for his touch.
When she began to turn, he stopped her. "I haven't finished the buttons yet."
"We only have an hour." Her impatient response came out like a whine.
"Maids know better than to bang on a locked door." He kissed the nape of her neck, the tip of his tongue tracing a path to her ear.
"And the men?" AJ questioned.
"Will be busy for hours with their card game. Besides, it's not like they don't know where we went."
AJ felt the heat of a blush, but it wasn't knowing the men were downstairs. This was Hensley and Mary's home. "It feels like we're about to have sex in my mother's house."
With the buttons undone, Finn skimmed his knuckles under the edge of her chemise as he slowly worked the dress open. She grabbed the bedpost and savored the building sensations. The dress dropped to the floor, and he took his time as he peeled the chemise off her, inch by aggravating inch. The cool air brushed against her bare skin, and she gasped when his warm hands turned her toward him, tracing a heated path down her back. She wrapped her hands around the back of his neck and drew him down to press her lips to his.
Their kiss was long, tongues meeting in a slow dance. Finn continued to run his hands up and down her back, leaving tingling sensations in their wake before coming to a rest on her backside, giving it a gentle squeeze.
AJ pushed him back and began a languid process of undressing him.
"Why are you taking so long?" Finn attempted to work the buttons of the waistcoat, but she batted his hands away.
"You said we had all afternoon. I want to savor what's wrapped in all these clothes."
Once the waistcoat was gone, she grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. She traced kisses across his chest until he growled. He grabbed her, and his kiss made her forget her name for a moment. When he let her up for air, she turned him until his back was to the bed and then shoved.
He landed on the bed, laughing, eyes burning with desire, and watched her pull off his boots. After a sloppy kiss, she dragged his breeches down his lean, muscular legs. Her smile faltered as she stared at him. He was so beautiful. A little jolt jabbed at her when she remembered how easily they could have lost each other. Finn's laugh died out, and the heat in his gaze increased as he pulled her down to him.
Their lovemaking was swift, and AJ held on, afraid to let go. The ache of their time apart vanished, but not before a twinge reminded her of the danger still ahead. When Finn planted kisses on her breasts, the intoxicating pleasure made everything disappear.
Sometime later, AJ traced lazy circles on Finn's chest as he slept. She shifted closer so she could watch his face, serene in slumber. His eyes fluttered open, and his lips curled into the elfish grin that had captured her heart.
"It had been too long, wife." He leaned up for a kiss.
"Aye, husband." AJ almost purred with his second, more intense kiss. "I never asked. Where's your ring?"
He looked sheepish. "I worried I might lose it. I tossed it to Stella just before we jumped."
"That's good. I was so stupid for putting on the Heart Stone."
"Hush." He sat up and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I should never have left Ethan alone with Beckworth, but that's all behind us." He tipped her chin up. "You know I'll always come for you."
"I know." When the renewed kissing subsided, AJ pulled herself into a cross-legged position. "Maire knows."
Finn said nothing for several seconds. Then he nodded and laid back, hands tucked behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. "She found the ring?"
"When she took my clothes to wash them."
Finn's silence returned, and when she didn't say anything else, his brow furrowed. "And?"
AJ thought back to her conversation with Maire, wishing she could have waited until Finn shared the news with his sister. She nudged his foot with her own and smiled. "Sorry. She was happy. I'm surprised she hasn't said anything to you."
"You know my sister. She's waiting for me to say something."
"Then maybe we should tell everyone tonight. We don't know what will happen once we set our plan in motion. We may have to make a quick exit through the fog. I'd feel better if our friends knew."
"I agree." He grabbed her and rolled until she was underneath him. Her laughter rang through the room. She thought she heard a slight knock on the door before Finn kissed her. Then all she remembered was a slight growl when he yelled, "Go away."
When she next opened her eyes, the room had darkened with late-afternoon shadows. Another knock on the door roused her, this one more urgent.
Finn grumbled as he rose and searched for his breeches. "Just a minute."
AJ pulled the covers up, her body too relaxed to rise.
Finn opened the door to find Ethan pacing back and forth. "Based on the look on your face, you should probably come in."
Ethan stepped in and glanced at AJ. "I hope you've gotten some needed rest."
Her answer was a pillow thrown his way. He smiled briefly before handing Finn a note.
Finn stared at it for a full minute before glancing at Ethan, who shifted from foot to foot, waiting for his response. Finn picked up AJ's chemise and tossed it to her.
"What?" AJ asked.
"It's a note from Beckworth." Finn held her gaze. "Reginald is holding a masquerade ball."
43
After Ethan left, Finn helped AJ back into her dress before he raced down to meet with Hensley. Something had turned their way, but she wasn't sure how a masquerade ball would benefit them. She fussed with her hair and, realizing she'd never fix it without her lady's maid, pulled it back into a small bun.
She was partway down the stairs when the thought hit her. Excitement over a masquerade ball could only mean one thing. She sighed. They were going into the lion's den.
When she reached the last stair, Mary interrupted her musings.
"There you are, my dear. You must have heard there's a game afoot." She steered AJ down the hallway. "They're in the library. I've sent in tea and light refreshment. Dinner won't be announced for anothe
r hour."
Mary left AJ at the door to the library and hustled off to stop a maid who'd entered the hallway. She immediately began issuing orders, but AJ couldn't hear what she said over the loud voices of men flowing into the hallway.
After stepping into the room and glancing around, she realized she was the last person to arrive. The team huddled in small groups whispering about Beckworth's letter and what it meant for them. When Hensley noticed AJ, he clapped his hands until the room quieted.
"Wonderful. Now that we're all here, it appears we may have gotten a break." Hensley's commanding voice filled the room, transforming the earlier tension and excitement into a combined sense of purpose.
"And everyone loves a party," Thorn droned, which earned him a few chuckles.
"Especially one with masks," Thomas retorted as more chuckles erupted.
"Though I imagine they'll be asking for weapons at the door," Fitz added.
When everyone began to whisper to their neighbor, Hensley pounded his fist on the desk. His stern features quickly quieted the group. When he had everyone's attention, he smiled. "Now that you have that out of your system, what do we think of this masquerade ball?"
"Just proves he's a rightful dolt," Thorn replied. He'd found a chair where he could sit and polish his sword that was already so shiny candlelight sparkled from it.
"Why a party at all?" Thomas asked. He stood over the same table he had earlier in the day, studying the Waverly map as if some hidden message would appear if he stared long enough.
"And everyone in masks? I don't understand what he's up to." Jamie joined Thomas at the table.
"He needs to meet the neighbors." AJ sat next to Finn and passed a plate of cheese and meat dumplings to him. Dinner might only be an hour away, but she had no doubt Finn would finish his dinner with gusto, regardless the number of dumplings.