“Would you do us the great honour, Miss White, of attending the ball?”
Mary took a moment to think on it. According to the traitors’ meeting last night, the exchange of information would take place just after the Sheffield ball.
Her answer was simple.
She beamed at him. “How gracious of you to invite me, Lord Sheffield. I would be delighted to attend.”
He returned her smile, his chins widening. “Very good then, very good. Capital, wot? We will see you Thursday next.”
“Indeed, you shall.” Mary dipped in a deep curtsey. “If you will excuse me, gentlemen.”
She turned on her heel and swept down the path on swift feet. The crunch of the gravel beneath her feet, and those of the men who followed, scarcely registered in her mind above her harried feelings.
As she walked toward Kerr House, Mary attempted to sort through her thoughts, but one topic kept pushing at her. Gabriel. He filled her thoughts, which worsened the persistent ache in her chest. In fact, the more she attempted to shut him out, the more it seemed he consumed her.
She mustn’t do this to herself. Gabe was a cad. He had broken her heart not once, but twice, he continuously berated her for doing what she loved, and he showed no remorse for hurting her feelings. Indeed, she must continue to remind herself of that.
Her heart flip-flopped as an image of his horror-struck expression crossed her mind’s eye.
Curse Gabriel Ashley!
* * *
Gabe’s heart thudded wildly in his chest as he turned his hard gaze on Stevens. “That was precisely my plan.”
Stevens looked taken aback. “But why wouldanyonedeny themselves love if it presented itself? ‘Tis foolish, and you know it is.”
Gabe waved a hand through the air. “I’ve grown weary of this conversation.” In fact, he had grown categorically miserable from it. “I came here to speak with you on a specific matter.”
Stevens kept his disbelieving gaze on Gabe’s face. “I will never understand you,” he said, shaking his head.
“Have you had any messages from Hydra?”
“I have.” Stevens resumed his seat on the hay bale, stretching his legs out in front of him once more. “What do you wish to know?”
Relief swamped Gabe, as apparently Stevens was willing to allow the conversation to pass with no further comments to add to Gabe’s already painful volume of guilt. “Has he heard anything from Hugh? Have they discovered his location, or who has captured him?”
Stevens shook his head grimly. “I’m so sorry, Gabe, but Hydra did not mention Hugh in his letter.”
“But he has been missing for weeks!”
“I know. I am sure he will be found soon.”
Gabe began to pace back and forth in the stall, his movements quick and agitated, and the crunch of hay beneath his feet filling the small space.
“It is perfectly normal to worry over your friend’s welfare, but you must also keep your wits about you. You are surrounded by the enemy here, Gabe.”
“I know you’re right, Stevens, I just…” Damn. His chest felt tight and his thoughts were muddled. This entire conversation made him feel too inept to run his own life.
Stevens thankfully changed the subject, “How fares your assignment?”
Gabe shrugged one shoulder. “We’ve found the missing documents but have yet to exchange them for forgeries.”
Stevens inclined his head. “Mary is broadly skilled.”
“She is at that.” Gabe gave a short laugh. “She and I overheard a clandestine rendezvous…” He outlined the events of the previous evening’s meeting.
“Hm,” Stevens hummed in thought. “And you did not see the others involved?”
