“Good luck on your mission, my dears.” Although Mrs. Q shook her head, her lips had a slight curve as she turned to Fiona. “Now you and I have our own assignment: to create an exceptional birthday ensemble for Lady Glory.”
Fi gave a saucy salute. “You can count on me.”
At the Fancy’s flash house, the guards performed a search for weapons.
“I’ll take your blades and pistols,” one of the brutes said.
“I did not bring any,” Wei replied.
He didn’t need weapons to inflict damage. Nonetheless, he suffered through the search, grinding his teeth when the guard repeated the process with Glory. She was posing as a dark-haired lad today and while the guard’s touch was quick and impersonal, Wei did not like any man putting his hands on her. For any reason.
Once the group was pronounced free of threats, the Hadleighs and Yao were made to wait in the public area. Another guard led Wei and Glory deeper into the Wolf’s den.
“Stay close,” Wei said quietly. “Let me do the talking.”
Knowing Glory’s reckless streak, he did not find her jaunty nod all that reassuring. A part of him regretted allowing her to accompany him here. Yesterday, when he’d given her a lesson—her lightness kung fu was improving literally by leaps and bounds—he had told her about his appointment with Scott.
She had immediately insisted upon going. While he’d balked due to the danger, she had argued that since she had come up with the ploy to barter information, she deserved to see it through. When that hadn’t convinced him, she had resorted to a sweeter kind of persuasion.
Even though the door to the music room had been open and her mother or servants could walk by at any moment, she’d kissed him. Their passion had been incendiary. Before he knew it, he had her backed up against a wall, his tongue planted firmly in her mouth. She’d wriggled against him as they feasted on each other, making him so randy that he’d had the urge to toss up her skirts and make her his then and there.
He hadn’t, of course. When he made love to her for the first time, it was going to be special. Not furtive and rushed. He had other reasons to wait, too. While he did not like keeping their relationship a secret, he understood why she’d asked him to delay speaking with her father. He liked how loyal she was to the people she loved, how determined she was to do the right thing. Thus, he supported her decision, even though a part of him resented that their love had to be relegated to shadows.
Until then, Wei would not take his beloved’s virginity. Even if their relationship could not yet be made public, he was determined to court her. To show her the respect a lady deserved.
Scott was waiting for them in a private chamber. He was the picture of menacing indolence, sprawled on a weathered, throne-like chair and surrounded by a coterie of armed brutes. The familiar little white dog was lying on the gang leader’s lap, getting his belly rubbed. The juxtaposition between Scott’s gentle treatment of his pet and the cold stare he leveled upon his guests was jarring.
Scott’s throat was bare, his silvery-brown mane brushing his shoulders. He’d also rolled up his sleeves, showing his tattoo in its full glory. Wei knew it was a baiting tactic, yet his aggression simmered nonetheless.
Upon my family’s honor, I will get my answers today.
“Welcome…or should I say, welcome back?” Scott’s smile was more a baring of teeth. “I knew I recognized you. A member of the Limehouse Lads, you said?”
“It was a necessary ruse,” Wei said curtly.
“You bloody lied to me.” Scott petted his dog, his tone frigid. “Consider yourself lucky that your tongue remains in your head. I know how much you enjoy sticking it into the wench beside you.”
Wei’s muscles bunched, at the insult to Glory and the fact that Scott had recognized her. As he curled his hands, calculating how many moves it would require for him to take down the hovering half-dozen guards, Glory cleared her throat.
Stepping forward, she said brightly, “Good morning, sir.”
What in blazes is she doing? I told her not to draw attention to herself.
Before he could stop her, Glory went on, “Please accept my apologies for any past misunderstandings. Believe me when I say we had a reason for the subterfuge, which I promise to explain. First, however, I would like to thank you for granting us an audience today and to assure you that we come in goodwill. In truth, we wish to negotiate a trade…one that will be beneficial to both parties involved.”
Scott stared at her as if she were a creature he’d never seen before. Wei knew the feeling.
“You wish to bargain with me?” The gang leader’s voice was tinged with disbelief and scorn. “What could you have that would possibly interest me?”
“Information.”
“About?”
“Your, um, group.” Glory cast a nervous look at the surrounding guards. “And their loyalty to you, their leader.”
Devil take it. Wei closed his hand around Glory’s arm, pushing her behind him as the cutthroats made threatening noises and raised their weapons.
“Stand down.” Although Scott’s wave was casual, his tone brooked no refusal. “No one touches a hair on this wench’s head unless I say so. Am I clear?”
