When she unfolded the paper, her suspicions were realized.
Thalia, if I might be so bold,
I have a proposition: an outing tonight, similar to those you have been undertaking as Rossi’s ambassador. Fear not, you will be safe with me and will not be discovered.
If you agree, be ready at midnight. If not, send your maid to inform me at your earliest convenience.
M
Maxwell. It had to be. The Duke.
She hugged the fragile note against her chest, doing her best to keep her excitement at a minimum. So, he had something planned for her, did he?
This felt like an assignation, and she might have suspected he had amorous intentions were it not for the linesimilar to those you have been undertaking as Rossi’s ambassador.
He had promised her secret was safe with him, and she had believed him; she thought it unlikely he would betray her now.
A knock came at the door, and her maid entered, shutting the door carefully behind her.
“I see you got the letter, ma’am,” she said.
Of course, Jane must have left it here—no one else would have helped the Duke, and certainly no one would help her escape the house. All the other servants were loyal to her father.
But she had told Maxwell that her maid could be trusted, and so he had believed her.
“When did this arrive?” Thalia asked.
“Earlier today, ma’am, but I couldn’t leave it for you until the maids were done making the fire and changing the bed. I left it here just now.” Jane glanced up at her. She had perhaps a decade on Thalia, but they had always been close, and Thalia knew she would do whatever she asked. “What are you going to do?”
There had never really been a choice.
“I’m going to attend, of course,” Thalia said, already plotting how they might achieve this.
As she had attended a function during the day, she had originally intended to have an early night, but she could alter her plans.
Her father would never know. The Duke had chosen his day carefully.
“Dress me well,” she said, still thinking. “And draw a beauty spot on my cheek.” Debutantes did not usually affect such makeup, and although Maxwell had assured her no one would recognize her, she was determined to leave nothing to chance. “We’ll do this the usual way.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Midnight. She had three hours in which to prepare herself for the surprise visit. Her stomach squeezed in excitement and nervous anticipation. If she were lucky, he might kiss her again.
And if he did, she would welcome it with open arms.
As a distant clock tolled twelve, Thalia crept from the house in a large fur-lined pelisse, protecting against the chill of the night. And, as promised, a coach rolled up the cobbled street, coming to a stop nearby. It was stationed not directly outside her door, and she thanked her lucky stars that the Duke and his driver had such a sense of secrecy.
Then again, it made sense he did if he was hiding his boxing from his nearest and dearest.
The door swung open as she approached, and a gloved hand extended toward her. For an instant, she wondered if she was doing the right thing, the most sensible thing, but then she shook herself and accepted the hand.
Maxwell pulled her into the carriage.
“How mysterious this is,” she said on a laugh as a coachman shut the door behind her and they rattled into the night.
“Is that a bad thing?” he asked, settling back into the seat. Perhaps as a bid for privacy, there was no light in the carriage,and she couldn’t make out his expression. “I was under the impression you were the kind of woman who thrives on mystery. And…” he added, a wry note in his voice, “danger.”
Thalia sucked in a breath. Part of the reason she had come here was that she didn’t knowwhereshe was going.
