“I will be boarding the women’s barge,” she said.
“No. You will not.” I rushed to say. “I will not allow it.”
She drew in a breath and let it out slowly.
Finch shifted his weight and moved toward the door. “I’ll just, er, step out while you work out your differences.”
It barely registered when he slipped away. My attention was fixed wholly on Rosalynd and her mad scheme. “You are not climbing aboard that barge.”
Rosalynd planted her hands on her hips. “I am too.”
“There is no earthly reason for you to put yourself in danger, Rosalynd.”
“There is, Steele.” Her voice was steady now, controlled. “More than likely, the young women are held captive in some confined space until it’s time for them to be…put on parade. All I need to do is find that room before the display begins.”
“Finch and I will find it and get them out. No need to involve yourself.”
“And how do you intend to do that?” she asked. “You will be required to show your invitation at the entrance to the house—which you will not have. Even if you did, only one man is admitted per invitation.”
“We do not intend to enter through the front door.”
“There may be guards posted around the perimeter.”
“If there are, we will deal with them.”
“And how would you make your way inside the house? They have guards inside.”
“How do you know this?”
“Claire’s friend found out by accident. She went in search of a lavatory. When none were available on the lower floor, she climbed higher and found a guard posted in front of a door.She thought it odd until the young women were put on display. That’s when she realized what was happening.”
“What floor was it on?”
“Claire didn’t say. I doubt they’d use the same room all the time. If we are to free those young women, you need me to find that room.”
“No,” I said, stepping closer, every inch of me bristling. “Absolutely not. I forbid it.”
“If you would stop being the high and mighty Duke of Steele for one bloody second,” she shot back, “you would see this is the only logical plan.”
Outrage flared, hot and sudden, sharp enough to steal my words. I turned away from her, dragging a hand through my hair, as though distance alone might restore order. After I mastered my emotions, I veered once more toward her.
“And how will you find this room, assuming you gain entrance to the house at all?”
“Of course, I will find it. It will be the one with a guard.”
“And how will you overpower the guard? He’s not going to allow you to waltz into that room.”
“I will not be unprepared,” she said quietly.
Silence closed around us, thick and oppressive.
“I have a pistol,” she added.
I turned back sharply. “What pistol?”
“I borrowed it from my brother,” she said. “And before you object, I know how to use it. You taught me.”
A harsh breath escaped me. “I taught you how to aim and pull a trigger,” I said tightly. “That is not the same thing as knowing how to shoot.”
