“Yes. The Widow Moreland is having an affair with the still-married Earl of Underwood.”
“What?”
She smiled at him then, her features softening in the most beautiful way. “I have to get a story to my editor. He’ll charge me for the gown if I don’t. He already grumbles about the bills.”
His brows shot up. “If he gives you a difficult time—”
“I can take care of him. Now for the real news. I saw the Earl of Shipley and two suspicious-looking fellows heading for the library. Which, if I’m not mistaken, also opens to the terrace.”
“Where?”
“Over there.” She pointed to a set of doors at the far end of the house as a candle began to glow through it.
“Damn,” he murmured, taking her hand and tugging her toward the open doors. Thank goodness for the heat. The house was open.
They crept toward the doors on tiptoes as voices began to filter out. “You’ve brought in all the crates?”
“Course,” a man with a rough accent answered. “The special ones are tucked in the basement.”
“How many?” the earl asked.
“Twenty-five.”
“Good. When is the next delivery?”
“One month and one day from today. Start planning your party.”
All the men laughed, but Rebecca’s hand tightened in his. He held a finger up to his lips. To know exactly when the next delivery would be would mean that he could catch the man in the act of smuggling in the money.
He slowly began backing up. He had everything he needed now. Pulling Rebecca with him, he waited until they were well away from the doors. “Go home.”
“Why?” she asked as she looked up into his eyes.
He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “You’ve completed both your jobs. I want you where it’s safe.”
“What about you?” she asked, her fingers lacing through his.
“I’ll meet you at your home before noon. I swear it.”
She pressed a key into his palm. “My staff stays late on nights I go out. They’ll see me in.”
He gave a nod before he kissed her again.
He had one more stop to make before he was done for tonight.
CHAPTER NINE
Rebecca returned to the ballroom,making her way slowly through the crowd and toward the exit.
She felt a pang of longing as she looked back at the garden. She knew that Bennet couldn’t be here next to her, but she wished he was. It had been such a thrill to hear the earl’s conversation. But now…she was in the home of the man who’d had Marcus killed, alone…
She gave a shiver despite the heat and continued to push through the crush.
“Lady Rebecca,” a deep voice called from her right, a man’s hand clamping on her upper arm like a vise.
She turned to see the Earl of Shipley smiling down at her. Despite the grin, his eyes were cold. “My lord,” she replied, her heart hammering in her chest.
“May I ask why you’re here?” He leaned closer, his gaze narrowing.