She watched him for a moment, perhaps studying whether his quick acceptance of her set down was sarcastic or authentic.
He met her gaze unwaveringly.
As if realizing he wasn’t challenging her, she gave a barely preceptive nod. “Very well. The party starts at eight. We will arrive around eight thirty, so we have some covering with the majority of others coming before.
“Sounds good.”
“And between now and then, we need to determine who the informant is. I saw the man who gave Wessix the note, but often those aren’t the people invested in the plan. They are simply hired and used as pawns. We aren’t interested in meanial pawns, but those who are moving said pawns.”
“Agreed. Last night I made a list of several men in Wessix’s circle who could have French sympathies.”
“Ah, and who is on that list?” Intelligent eyes watched him as he listed the names from memory, her chin dipping with a nod at each name.
“Well, it seems as if we have a plan for today then.” She rose and tugged her gloves back into position.
“Oh? What would that be, fearless leader?”
She gave him a scathing glare that shifted into a too-sweet smile. “Your art of distraction will be tested today.”
He frowned. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“Social calls.” She flicked her wrist. “And while you engage these men in conversation, I’ll see if I can find anything.”
“Breaking and entering.”
“It’s not breaking in if you’re invited.”
“I was talking about you.”
She paused and regarded him for a half second. “Oh, then, yes. You’re correct.”
“I’d be aiding and abetting, not to mention an ally in the crime,” he answered but rose and followed her out of the breakfast room to the hall.
She gave a dismissive wave. “Do your job well, and there’s nothing to fear.”
“I never said I was afraid,” he replied, then gave a slight chuckle as she paused at the front door.
“What?”
He grinned and nodded to the door. “I wasn’t sure you knew where it was.”
“The door?”
“The front door.”
She smiled sweetly back. “I use whatever entrance is necessary or prudent at the moment. When you limit people, it limits yourself as well. Your expectations that you place on people make you unable to think outside of those options. Expand that mind of yours, Blueberry.” She flicked his head softly and then winked. “You’ll get there,” she murmured softly and walked out.
He blinked, not sure how the teasing had turned on him, but as his mind caught up with his body, he realized she’d been correct.
“Bloody hell,” he muttered. It wasn’t even eight thirty, and he had the feeling it was going to be a very long day.
Chapter Five
Jaxsen wasn’t sure how to read the expression on Emerson’s face. He was a man torn, wanting to look at her, and yet knowing it was utterly improper to do so. That gentleman’s blood… It ran thick in him. He wasn’t as jaded as she’d expected, which had manifested an odd reaction to her senses. It had unarmed her, his ability to be vulnerable. She was accustomed to packing on the armor when dealing with people, especially men of power. But Emerson he was comfortable in his own skin; no need for the armor to protect his precious pride. He was simply complete as he was.
It was unnerving. Unnatural.
Or maybe she was for feeling that way.
