“Oh, Alexis told you.”
“A good thing she did, else you would have not. Why?”
“I feel so foolish, Rhys. Why should I react so violently to the man?”
“I was startled when he approached me also, Kenna,” he admitted. “With his head and most of his face covered, Michael looked very much like Nick did at the masque at Dunnelly. For a moment I imagined myself back ten years.”
Kenna’s head lifted sharply and she looked at Rhys with troubled eyes. “Nicholas? That is how Nicholas looked?”
“Yes. You really don’t remember, do you?” He wondered if he would ever get used to Kenna’s distorted memory.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t. But if he looks like Nick did, mayhap that explains why I reacted so. Or it could be he reminds me of the man I spoke to that evening while Victorine and my father were dancing. It could be the same person. Michael Deveraux’s name was on Victorine’s guest list. Maybe I am beginning to remember.”
He put his arm around her shoulder. “Perhaps you are, but don’t force yourself, Kenna. Would you like to go home?”
“Oh, no! I am fine, really. I’d like to stay. But what about Monsieur Devereaux? Have you told him who I am?”
“I didn’t have to. He already knew you were Robert Dunne’s daughter.”
“How odd,” Kenna said slowly. “I’m certain I never met him formally before.”
“Any one of Tanner’s guests might have told him your name and he made the connection. Kenna is not of the common mode, you know.”
“Could anyone have told him my maiden name as well? Only Etienne and Madeline know it.”
“Then they must have said something to Michael before I had the chance to speak with them.”
“I suppose.” Kenna was not convinced. She hadn’t seen the Lescauts speak with Deveraux, hadn’t even noticed him in the room until she saw him with Rhys. But then, she reminded herself, there were any number of guests she had not really seen because her attention had been all for Rhys.
“If it concerns you overmuch then we’ll leave,” he offered. “I would not have you making yourself sick with worry.”
Kenna looked at him appealingly. “I want to stay, Rhys.”
Rhys relented to the persuasion in her dark eyes, but he stayed by her side the remainder of the evening. It turned out to be an unnecessary precaution as Deveraux never introduced himself to Kenna. In truth, it troubled Rhys that Michael seemed to be avoiding them, though he told himself he was making much of nothing. If Deveraux was with a group of people and Kenna and Rhys approached, the man made some excuse and quickly left. Though Kenna danced with many different partners, Deveraux was not one of them. Because Kenna appeared to notice nothing odd, Rhys kept his thoughts to himself and after a time he put his worries to one side.
It was an easy thing to do, given the number of new acquaintances Rhys and Kenna made that evening. The Clouds’ guests were friendly, gracious, and many took it upon themselves to offer Rhys their support for what he was doing with Canning Shipping. Neither Rhys nor Kenna quite understood how the business dealings of the line had become common knowledge but they accepted the assistance gladly.
Rhys and Kenna were enjoying a precious moment alone, sipping chilled wine by the doors that opened onto the verandah, when Tanner interrupted them.
“Widdoes just brought me a message from two of my men who were patrolling the wharf tonight. Wilson and three others were caught while trying to set a fire at your construction site. Garrison and Springer are waiting outside for instructions. Would you like to speak with them?”
Rhys found Kenna had plucked the glass of wine from his hand before he answered. “Most assuredly. I’ll only be a few minutes, Kenna,” He brushed her cheek quickly, making her smile with his distracted air, and left with Tanner.
Kenna looked down at the two glasses she held and smiled ruefully. She was wondering what to do with one when Alexis joined her.
“Here, let me relieve you of one of those.” She gave a little toss of her head and the long golden braid that had fallen over her shoulder settled properly at her back. “Where have Rhys and Cloud gone in such a rush?”
Kenna related what she learned from Tanner.
“That’s very good news.” Alexis sipped her wine. “How predictable Wilson was,” she mused, her smile flattening in disgust.
“What do you mean?”
“Cloud knew he would attempt something tonight, thinking it would be safer because so many of us are here. Wilson fell into the trap very neatly, I would say.”
“But you said even if he were caught there would be another to replace him.”
“True, but not if he can be persuaded to talk. Who did Cloud say brought the message?”
