She couldn’t regret them now, but how she would she feel in the morning? She couldn’t say.
“When is Shipley’s soirée?’
“Three days from now. Saturday.”
“And you can get an invitation?”
“Yes,” she said as she made her way up the stairs, his hand at her waist.
“Good. I’ll meet you in the garden at half past eleven.”
That brought her fully awake, and she stopped on the landing. “You can’t be serious. You can’t go to that party. Someone will surely recognize you.”
With a hand at her back, he started them both forward again. “I don’t mean to be seen by anyone other than you. The garden. Half past eleven. It’s a date.”
She trembled with fear, all thoughts of sleeping now vanishing. “Bennet, it’s a bad idea.”
“I’m not sending you there alone. And that’s final. If you’re going, then I’m going.”
She shivered as she opened the door to her room. Perhaps they really would be leaving London, and soon. She’d better pack a bag just in case.
Bennet stoodin a dark corner of the Earl of Shipley’s garden, waiting for Rebecca to appear.
Nervous tension coiled in his stomach. He’d wanted Rebecca to come to this party when he’d thought that the earl was a bystander in the smuggling ring. But the more digging he’d done during the last three days, the more he thought that the man might be at the helm of this entire operation.
The man responsible for his brother’s murder. And he’d sent Rebecca into the lion’s den without a shred of protection.
He’d first boarded theSea Goddessand snuck into the helm. The crates were nowhere to be seen. But as soon as the quartermaster had risen, Bennet had searched his cabin and found them carefully tucked into one of the only cabinets. Just a small shake had confirmed they were filled with coin.
Then he’d picked the lock at the earl’s warehouse. Sure enough, crate upon crate filled with money was tucked behind the boxes of champagne to the left and dishes to the right.
And then tonight…
He’d watched the goods being brought in for the party and with them, the money, the crates carefully tucked at the back and bottom of each wagon. Only a few per cart, so no one would ever dig deep enough to search them. Not that any lawman would ever embark on such a search. As far as any bystander wasconcerned, a lord of the realm was hosting another lavish party, as was his privilege.
It was the perfect cover for bringing large sums onto the estate.
Follow the money, Rebecca had maintained. And she’d been right. How much quicker would he have solved this case if he’d brought her in sooner? Or from the beginning? That idea pained him considerably.
But then he shook his head. He couldn’t regret his choices. He hated hurting her like he had, but even now, thinking she might be in danger, it was all he could do not to rush into the ballroom and expose himself.
Several guests milled about the terrace, the warm summer air drawing them outside from the ballroom.
But he spotted Rebecca immediately, skirting the crowd and searching the shadows.
He started toward her, knowing that he needed to stay out of sight but eager to tuck her against his side.
She moved closer, the sound of her skirts gently swaying tickling his ears as he watched her move. Her gown was stunning, fitting her body like a glove, highlighting every lush curve. Time had only filled her figure out to more womanly curves, making his blood heat with want.
She stopped again, peering into the dark. She’d moved far enough away from the crowds that he started toward her. “Rebecca.”
She snapped her gaze in his direction. “Bennet?” she whispered. “Is that you?”
“Yes.”
She gave a quick nod, her shoulders slumping as she reached out a hand. “Thank goodness.”
“Did you learn anything?” he asked, maneuvering her close. Was the dress a dark green? He’d bet it made her eyes sparkle in the candlelight.