But Gabriel was not here. In fact, she very much doubted that she would see him for the entirety of the day, until they made good their escape from the Kerr estate.
Mary turned her face up to the sun, taking delight in the warmth she found there. Her father would adore this garden; he had always enjoyed plants.
Shetskedherself. There she went thinking of her father again and making herself maudlin. Perhaps she should visit him soon.
Thecrunchof gravel beneath feet and voices sounded down the path. Mary mentally cringed as she rounded a tall bit of shrubbery.
“I saw her coming along this path, but perhaps—oh!” Boxton led both Sheffield and Reddington down the path toward her. His face was wreathed in smiles, but his eyes held the threat of a predator.
Mary smiled cautiously at the three men. “Good morning, gentlemen.”
Lord Sheffield puffed on a cigarillo, blowing the smoke at her then leering with the others. “I’ve been informed by these two fine fellows that you will be giving them aprivateperformance this evening.”
So she had been informed. Damn Gabriel for making such promises.
“I have come to express my…eternal envy for their luck.”
Mary put aside the alarm spreading through her chest at Boxton’s and Reddington’s unwavering lustful gazes and gave Sheffield a coquettish grin and batted her eyes.
“Why Lord Sheffield, you sly flatterer. You know just what to say to charm a woman.”
Sheffield positively beamed with pride. “I have enchanted a few skirts in my day.” He took another puff of his cigarillo. “At the others’ insistence, I must beg another group performance. Perhaps after luncheon?”
Mary flashed them a gleaming smile. That was precisely what she had hoped they would ask. “Why Lord Sheffield, I would be honoured to perform for you again.”
Boxton stepped forward, moving with the agile grace of a cat, both deadly and deceitful. “You understand, Mary, that this request for a performance stands individually from the private encounter promised to Reddington and myself.”
Impertinent blackguard. “Naturally, Tony. I wouldn’t dream of reneging on our interlude.” She winked at him.
That seemed to mollify Lord Boxton.
“Now wait just a moment,” Reddington cut in, his troublingly eager gaze roaming heatedly over her. “We all have a moment here, why not give us that private performance now?”
The other men began to agree and panic sprang to Mary’s chest. “Now, now, gentlemen. Surely you would not wish me to perform without my costume. I—”
“As a matter of fact,” Boxton sneered, “that is precisely how I would like to see you.”
Her heart tripped over in her chest.Pleaselet her get out of this without having to resort to violence! “I am afraid, Tony, that you will just have to wait until this evening. Now if you fine gentlemen would excuse me, I must prepare my costume.”
She skirted around them on the path, hoping beyond hope that they would not stop her.
