Her tryst with Jasper had only added to her roiling emotions. She wanted more of his kisses, more of his touches, andblimey, but having him pulse in her hand had been?—
Her body was betraying her at every turn. She shouldn’t feel those things with regard to Jasper. While pleasure was lovely, she must remember that men were untrustworthy, adulterous cads, and she could not lose her heart or her head to one.
The hack rolled to a jarring stop at one corner of Grosvenor Square, putting a halt to Maria’s dangerous ruminations. With a nod to herself, she exited the hack, paid the driver, and strode down the lamp-lit street. Her footsteps were sure and swift, and while she was in a lofty part of London, she still gripped her dagger tightly in the pocket of her skirts; Francis could strike at any time, and shewouldbe prepared.
She turned down a close, hurrying between the buildings, the cool air and coal smoke whirling around her. Reaching the mews, Maria peered over the gardens’ walls until she recognized Jasper’s.
The back gardens were still and silent as she neared the kitchens’ entrance. They’d chosen this point of entry rather than the front servants’ entrance, for they preferred not to alert Francis to her arrival, should he be watching. Maria did not see that it would make much difference, but chose not to argue the point with Jasper.
Thunk-thunk. The sound of her gloved knocks broke the eerie silence of the gardens, and a shiver trailed down her spine. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, and she spun to peer over her shoulder. A gentle wind blew the newly blooming trees, the unnerving shadows cast by the candles inside making the gardens seem sinister.
The door swung inward, and Maria jumped, despite herself.
“Maria,” Jasper breathed, a breathtaking, crooked grin on his lips.
She gave him a relieved—if slightly embarrassed—smile. “Good evening, Duke.”
“Do come in.” He stepped aside, gesturing into the kitchens beyond.
Grateful to be out of the chilled air, she swept past him into the warmth. And her stomach swooped. She felt the barest brush of his hand against the small of her back, and her knees nearly buckled.Dangerous, she reminded herself.
“Why areyouanswering the door, and not a member of your new staff?” she inquired, removing her cloak to hang it on a nearby hook and attempting to garner control over her abruptly fluttering pulse.
“I daresay they’re occupied elsewhere,” Jasper returned. “Come, we’ll inform them that you’ve begun your shift.”
Maria nodded, withdrawing a mobcap from her apron pocket and placing it upon her head.
“Do you need that?” Jasper asked, gesturing to her attire with a mirthful gleam. “The costume?”
“Oh, indeed,” Maria assured him. “It is best to keep up appearances, and a maid in your home—whether day or night—is to be expected. A gentleman’s daughter? I should say not.”
They rounded the corner into the housekeeper’s office, and stopped short.
“Have you caught any of them in the act?” Harris asked, his brow furrowed.
Mrs. Ross, Jasper’s new cook, shook her head. “I didnae catch them, nae.”
“Might we be of assistance?” Jasper inquired, stepping further into the room.
Both people spun to face him and bowed.
“It’s nothing but a minor dispute, Your Grace,” Harris assured him.
“Aye, ’tis a wee matter, Your Grace,” the cook confirmed. “The other staff are pilfering food from the larder, and I daresay ye’ve pests in the gardens, tearin’ leaves an’ pullin’ vegetables from their roots. I only thought t’ let ’Arris know.”
“Are you certain that it is the staff taking from the larder?” Maria queried. All gazes swung toward her.
“I ’ave my suspicions,” Mrs. Ross returned. “But when on mission, all food and rations must be accounted fer.”
“And we’ve ensured all ingredients are free from contamination?” Maria asked. “If Mr. Sinclair had access to the home, we must be vigilant.”
Mrs. Ross nodded. “Aye. I inspected wha’ was ’ere myself, and brought th’ rest fresh from market.”
“I will speak with the men, Mrs. Ross,” Harris placated, and the woman left with a word of thanks.
“Is Heather here to give her report?” Maria inquired.
Harris shook his head. “She left just before you arrived, to report our dreadful oversight earlier to Grace.”
