Morgan’s head jerked upright, eyes narrowed, and he smiled lethally. “You little minx, let’s save that for later.” He placed a hand on the back of her neck as they both turned to Devonshire, who was watching the scene with rapt attention.
Devonshire licked his lips. “Well, then you’ll be pleased to know that tonight’s special event is our very own virginal sacrifice.” He clapped his hands together dramatically. “To the highest bidder, a chance to deflower your very own innocent.”
Understanding dawned on her what Morgan’s lewd comments had been about. He’d played his part flawlessly. Scarily so.
“Sounds interesting. When will it be?” Morgan asked.
“Mrs. Gwyn is herself setting up now in the music room. Perhaps we will start the bidding after supper.” Devonshire waved a hand. “Tonight is not for schedules; tonight is for fun.” He grabbed one of Caroline’s hands and placed a wet kiss on her fingers. “Have fun, fairy Peaseblossom.”
Caroline fought the impulse to wipe her hand down her skirts as Devonshire strolled away across the room. The heavy stares from men at the nearby card tables made her regret making a scene. She reached up a hand to adjust her mask. Damn it. She needed to stop letting her temper get the best of her good sense.
With a hand still at her neck, Morgan gently turned her to face him. “You all right?” Behind his mask, his eyes were soft and concerned.
“Yes, I think so. I didn’t understand what you were about.” She reached up to lightly brush her fingers over the red spot on his neck. “I’m sorry I bit you.”
“Anytime, luv. Anywhere you’d like.”
Caroline rolled her eyes at his jest. But his expression held no hint of humor, and she wasn’t so sure he was teasing her. “So…we now know we have time to find the girl before supper. We need to find the music room.”
“I agree, but we must not move from room to room too quickly. Here, let’s get another glass of wine.” He nodded his head toward a refreshment area near the entrance to the room.
Morgan plucked two glasses of red wine from a tray at one end of the long bar. Two servants poured brandy and other spirits for a knot of guests at the other end. Caroline sipped slowly at her second glass. She needed to keep her wits about her to make it through tonight. Morgan leaned one elbow on thegleaming wooden top behind him. His body language appeared loose and casual, but his sharp gaze scanned the room.
She tried to figure out what he was seeing. She swept a glance around the room of faceless strangers. Some wore elaborate masks, many brightly painted. Some masks were simple and serviceable, covering most of the face but not revealing anything about the wearer's personality. Devonshire was the only person not wearing a mask. He held court at a whist table, his gaudy brass crown marking him as Oberon, king of the fairies.
Morgan leaned closer. “Do you see the glass-paned doors there on the far wall?”
Caroline nodded.
“They lead to the back veranda. I can see the stone wall and torches beyond. The first room we were in down the hall had doors on the same wall. All these rooms run along the back of the house. If things go badly and I have to create a diversion, you take the girl and hustle out the back. Run straight to William and the carriage. Don’t wait for me. I will be fine. Sullivan is waiting for me in the stables.”
“All right.” She bit her lower lip. What did he mean by badly? What sort of trouble did he envision?
“Listen. Ideally, we find the girl, get her to the carriage, then return inside to avert suspicion. We will make our way out the front door, and no one should be the wiser. That is, if we can find her without being discovered. If she is guarded and we can’t get to her, the back-up plan is we out-bid everyone else, take the girl upstairs with us and sneak out in the middle of the night.”
She shook her head. “I don’t have all night. My family thinks I am at a small supper party. I will be expected home by one at the latest. My mother always waits up for me.”
Morgan pulled out his watch. “That gives us two hours. You may get into trouble with your mother tonight, duchess.”
She pursed her lips at his dig. “Well, it won’t be the first time.”
“Or the last time.” Morgan’s lips quirked up on one side.
Loud female laughter rang out from the hallway. Morgan froze. He whipped his head around to look out the door to the passage. Then he grabbed Caroline’s hand and, without warning, began weaving through the card tables toward the door to the corridor. When they emerged into the hallway, two voices carried down from the front of the house.
A voice slurred by too much drink spoke vociferously “Let’s go outside, my deearie. I want to see your naked breasts in the…in the moonlight.”
“My lord, let us go upstairs. I’ll stand by the window in the moonlight.” The female voice replied.
Morgan let go of Caroline’s hand and then gently pushed her back against the wall next to one of the thick Corinthian columns that lined the hallway. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He strode down into the open area of the front foyer.
Caroline stayed put in the shadow of the column. She couldn’t see into the foyer, but she could hear a muffled, urgent conversation. Then the drunken lord, or she assumed it was him, came slowly staggering down the center of the hallway, his hand rubbing at his throat. “Told him I would share. Rude.” He muttered as he passed by where Caroline stood pressed against the wall.
Should she see what was happening with Morgan? No, he told her to stay put. She promised him she would follow directions. Several minutes passed by, and Caroline began to worry. She stepped from foot to foot. Then out of the corner of her eye, she saw a bright red dress. She leaned around the column. A tower of red hair, an abundance of cleavage, all told Caroline that the lady was Mrs. Gwyn. The woman came from a room at the other end of the corridor and swept towardher. Caroline held her breath and prepared to brazen her way through an exchange with the vile woman. Mrs. Gwyn paid no attention to her but instead entered the card room two doors down. She must have come from the room they were keeping the girl. Devonshire said Mrs. Gwyn was preparing for the “surprise” herself.
Caroline glanced again toward the foyer where Morgan had disappeared. She bit down on her bottom lip. She couldn’t even hear voices any longer. With Mrs. Gwyn out of the room, this was her chance to free the girl. With one last glance to the front of the house, Caroline turned and hurried down the hallway.
Chapter 19
