“It might be best if Lady Fortescue doesn’t recognize the Marchioness of Clare as the woman she hired to rescue her dog from her former lover.”
“Ah.”Of course.
He seated himself at the opposite side of the table, and a footman entered bearing the familiar silver tray with the morning’s correspondence. Jamie did a quick sort through and came across a gold-embossed missive with a seal that had become all too familiar. He held it up for Hortense’s inspection.
Her head canted. “Rothesbury?”
“Aye.” Jamie broke the seal and gave the contents a quick scan. “It’s the invitation to tonight’s masquerade.” He debated whether or not to tell her the next part.
“And?” She’d noted his hesitation.
“All couples are to arrive separately and not within the half hour of each other.”
Hortense showed not an ounce of surprise. She’d seen it all when it came to aristocrats. A fact that set his teeth on edge.
“Which of us shall arrive first?” she asked. “You? Or me?”
“Me.”
“Let us consider this carefully. It would likely be more productive if it’s me.”
“Ishall be the first to arrive.”
Their eyes locked. When she opened her mouth to continue making her case, he held up a hand. “I won’t have you alone in Rothesbury’s manse.”
“Hundreds of thetonwill be in attendance. I shan’t be alone.”
He refused to relent on the matter.
Weary of the staring contest, she nodded. “’Tis your operation, my lord.”
Thatmy lorddelivered the prick intended. He was being an imperious ass, it told him. On this matter, so be it. She would be safe.
“You must send a message to Eva Galante about tonight’s clothing requirements,” she said. “They need to be here by eight of the clock, at the very latest.”
“I shall inform Stinton.”
Sir Bacon gave a small whine and tugged at his lead. “Well, I must be off,” she said, rising to her feet.
A spark of panic fired through Jamie at the thought of her leaving. Too soon it would be the last time. “Might I accompany you?”
He shouldn’t have asked. He should have sat at his customary place at the breakfast table and commenced with his morning ritual of coffee,Chronicle, and toast.
But he couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t help acting like a besotted wretch around her.
That was the truth of it. He was completely infatuated with this woman.
His wife. His lover. His…
“You’ll want to change into different clothes.”
“Why?”
“We shall be entering by the servant’s entrance.”
Jamie held up his hand, as if, like a wizard, he had the magic to stay her feet with a spell. “I shall meet you in the receiving hall in five minutes.”
She gave a nod that didn’t appear as reluctant as he would have expected. “I’ll be waiting.”
