“Very prompt, little sister. I’m impressed.” Travell gave her a welcoming nod and gestured to the empty seat next to Gabriel. “Please, sit. We have much to discuss.”
The duke was as handsome as ever, with that single lock of hair that fell over his brow. He was casually dressed in a pair of black trousers and a white lawn shirt — partially unbuttoned, thus allowing her a teasing view of that muscular chest and its sprinkling of curly, dark hair.
Triana’s pulse leaped as he gave her a charming, white-toothed grin as he pulled out the chair for her. It was only after she sat down, did she notice the other two men at the table. They were watching her interaction with Gabriel rather closely, although their faces revealed nothing.
“I’m sure you recall Logan Montgomery from the night at the docks.” Her brother announced. She did indeed remember the agent with the ice blue eyes and black hair who’d assisted in Travell’s rescue, so she nodded and murmured a greeting as Travell rambled on. “And may I present Ridge Claymoore?”
Triana shifted her gaze to the other agent and barely suppressed a shudder. A man with lighter hair, not exactly brown or even blond, he wore a black eye patch over an equally dark eye.
Some of her trepidation must have shown on her face, for he suddenly lifted the patch and exposed another, perfectly matched eye. “’Tis only my disguise.”
“Oh… of course.” Triana attempted a smile, but she couldn’t help but feel a bit out of sorts. Taking in all the watchful gazes around her, she finally realized the depth of their devotion to the Crown, and the lengths they would go to in order to complete an assignment.
What if she couldn’t prove herself worthy to be among them?
“I heard about your rather impressive acting abilities on board theEvening Swan.” Ridge said evenly. “Very nicely done.”
Triana smiled at the compliment. “Thank you, One… er… Mr. Claymoore. But I did have some help, so I mustn’t take all the credit.”
While she had been referring to Gabriel, Ridge began to chuckle. “Millicent is quite a woman.” Scratching his chin, he went on to murmur, “Yes, fond memories.”
After gaining a sharp eyed rebuke from Travell, her brother drawled, “If you don’tminddelaying your trip down memory lane, Claymoore, we have a lot to do before tomorrow night, not to mention letting Triana in on the latest developments.”
Once Travell had regained everyone’s attention, he continued. “As you all know, we are getting down to the crucial points in this mission. While we are steadily gathering information, we’re still looking for that deciding bit of evidence.” He glanced at Triana. “That is why I’ve reluctantly asked my sister to join us tonight. I feel she might be our key to unlocking a potential witness.” Triana swallowed, feeling a nervous pressure beginning to build in her chest. “The lady in question will be at the opera tomorrow night.”
Triana couldn’t hold back a slight frown. Opening night at Drury Lane was to be her first official outing as a betrothed woman. “That might be a bit of a problem, Travell. You know I’m going with Eastbury.”
“Precisely.” Travell nodded. “I need you to make the acquaintance of Miss Constance Freewater.” A brief pause, “Or, as she is better known… Madame Corressa.”
Triana’s mouth fell open. “Mother would never allow me to speak to a… a…”
“I believe the description you are searching for is courtesan,” Ridge interceded.
“I was always fond of the term ladybird,” Logan murmured thoughtfully.
Travell pinched the bridge of his nose, as if praying for patience, before turning back to Triana. “I will take care of Mother, as I already have another chaperone lined up to escort you.”
Triana bit her lip. “But surely Eastbury—”
“Will not be an issue.” Travell finished for her. “Madame Corressa is currently under Lord Huntington’s protection, and Huntington, as you likely know, is one of the earl’s closest friends.”
Huntington— that was a name Triana was quite familiar with, for not only had he been one of her father’s particular acquaintances once upon a time; the man had also propositioned her — although only once before she made it quite clear that she wasn’t interested.
“What makes you so sure this… um… Miss Freewater will tell me what you want to know?” She asked.
Travell just smiled. “Ah, but that’s where we leave it in your capable hands — to make sure she does.”
Triana fidgeted slightly. “But what if I fail?”
“You won’t,” Gabriel stated firmly, and looking into his eyes, she knew that, with his support and faith, she could take on all of London if need be.
Turning back to the men around the table, she gathered her courage and said, “I’ll do it.”
***
By the next evening, as Triana paced her bedchamber, oblivious to her elegant coiffure and the silky satin and organza overlay of her mauve gown, she wondered how she would ever make it through the night. Her stomach was tied in knots of trepidation as she considered the task before her and what it would mean for her brother, Gabriel, and the other agents if she failed to gain Madame Corressa’s confidence.
She took a deep breath in an effort to calm her frayed nerves, as she mentally went over the conversation that had transpired the previous night, after she’d been apprised of the mission, along with the agent’s roles they currently played.
