Chapter 37
Mary hurried to draw age lines and spread soot upon her face, and despite her haste, the effect was quite effective.
Gabe had applied the additions to his disguise similarly, though he put powder in his hair to make it white, instead of dark. He had blackened out one tooth and wore a wide-brimmed hat low on his head.
Colin remained as he was, despite Gabe’s insistence that he change. The safe house was veritably brimming with costumes, paints, and powders.
“Shall we leave?” Mary glanced at the mantle clock. “The ball will be drawing to a close now; the rendezvous will be at any moment.”
Gabe went to the tantalus and poured a healthy dram of port,
“Come now, Gabe. There is no time for that,” Colin said.
“Indeed,” Gabe dipped his hand in his glass, cupping some port, and splashed it on Colin’s coat.
“Oi!” Colin cursed soundly.
“Ye might not look the part, but ye mustsmellthe part.”
Colin grumbled. “Bugger.”
With a laugh, Mary took some for her own costume, then preceded the men through the safe house and outside to the awaiting carriage. The hour was late and the sky was dark. A low-lying fog swirled around the horses’ hooves, and there was a bite to the chilled air.
“I will drive,” she said, stepping up awkwardly onto the perch.
My, but her bottom was sore!
“I didn’t know that you knew how to drive a team, Mary.” Colin grinned at her, his obsidian eyes twinkling.
She affected an accent in a deep voice. “Aye, all workin’ men ken how te lead a team.” She winked.
Gabe chuckled. “Ye might want te practice yer accent, love.”
Mary’s stomach fluttered at the endearment, but said defensively, “I will not be required to speak while we observe the rendezvous, so my accent scarcely matters.”
Gabe eyed her from beside the driver’s perch, and his gaze turned concerned. “Are ye certain ye’re well enough te lead a team, Mary?”
“I will admit that I am sore, but I am also determined.” She shrugged her uninjured shoulder. “I will heal, Gabe. At the very least I should like to see justice done for this treachery.” Her eyes narrowed. “Lady Kerr most particularly.”
“Bloodthirsty lass.” His lips curved up in an alluring half-smile. “Verra well. And if ye have te talk, Mary, try te mimic my accent, aye?”
Mary gave him a quick nod and he followed Colin into the unmarked carriage, pulling up the steps and closing the door behind himself.
She waited until she heard the tell-tale knock on the hack’s roof before she clicked at the bays and flicked the reins, gently bringing them to a walk and then a trot. The sudden wind at her charcoaled cheeks was biting, indeed. But she did not care.
Despite the dangers shrouding this assignment, Mary relished the excited anticipation bubbling through her. She adored the thrill of the assignment. More than that, however, she was elated that Gabe uttered nary a single protest at her taking the lead—and thus being in the most danger of attack or recognition. He trusted her. And helovedher!
Her stomach fluttered. And that evening was not the first time he had told her he loved her; she recalled now, that he had used those same Gaelic words while they were in the carriage travelling to London.
She smiled into the cool night air, lightness touching her heart. She had Gabe for a lover. And he loved her.
* * *
Gabe sat in the front facing seat of the carriage, gazing through the window at the streetlamps passing by.
His heart still beat hard in his chest. Mary loved him! Bloody hell, it was a euphoric feeling.
But what of his earlier assertions that he could not fall in love? And of what happened to Hydra’s family?
