She lifted a brow.“You seem to know everything.How about you tell me?”
His expression darkened and she wondered if he might actually strike her.Instead, he stepped forward and set his face directly in front of hers.He was so close that she could see the dark pupils of his eyes dilate when he spoke.“I would be very careful if I were you,my lady.Lest you find yourself on the wrong side of this war.”
Astara immediately stilled.She forced her courage to remain strong and lifted her chin slightly.“And which side are you on?”
He gave a snort and then spun on his heel and walked away.
It wasn’t until he was gone that Astara found herself sagging against the terrace railing.Her hands were shaking and she wasn’t certain her legs would carry her back into the ballroom in that moment.
Deciding it was best she remain to restore her equilibrium; she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths of the bracing night air.It carried the hint of warmth of the coming summer, but there was still a bit of chill from the spring that yet lingered.It was this that she clung to in an effort to stop the sky from spinning.
“There you are.”
She jumped, her heart lurching into her throat when a deep voice spoke up behind her.She spied the duke and immediately her racing pulse stuttered to a halt.When it came to fright, at least.It wanted to hammer for another reason, but she did not want to dwell on that.“Oh, it is just you.”
“I am glad to be so uneventful,” he returned dryly.
Feeling as though she could speak without her voice wavering, she said, “I had a rather terse interaction while you were galivanting about.”She waved a hand to emphasize her point.She recounted the invitation she’d received from Lord Midvale to go riding the following morning followed by the brief, but disturbing meeting while Hampton listened without interruption.“He had dark hair and cold black eyes.I did not catch his name, but I could tell he was someone of the gentry by his manner of speech and dress.”
“Indeed.”He murmured.“Could you identify him again?”
“In my nightmares.”She shuddered, the reaction far from fabricated.“I do not suffer threats very lightly.I have found them to be too real more often than not.”
His face darkened.“I would be inclined to agree with you.”He held out his arm to her.“Let us take a walk about the perimeter of the room.It sounds as though this is the gentleman we have been looking for, although he does not meet any of the characteristics of our current suspects.”He glanced down at her.“Well done, Lady Astrid.”
Astara despised that name more than ever.She wanted to hear her name cross his lips with that seductive tone, instead of some falsified persona.However, she pushed aside her personal preference for want of the chance to remain employed by the Lion’s Watch.That was her current priority and sole purpose for being there.
As they meandered through the crowd for a full loop, she shook her head.“I do not see him anywhere.He must have already departed.”
The duke inclined his head.“Then we should do so as well.I think that was enough damage for this evening.I would not wish to tire you unnecessarily on your first performance when you have managed to accomplish what I set out for you to do.”
He escorted her outside and once he’d helped her into the carriage, he did not join her.“You are not coming with me?”
He offered her a crooked grin.“Intrigue never sleeps, dear cousin.I have someplace I need to be but be assured that Mr.Hutchins shall oversee your safe return to Mayfair.”
With that, he shut the door and hit the side of the carriage.
As it jerked into motion, Astara could not resist glancing out the window to see Hampton’s silhouette framed by the glimmering lights beyond.He stood there for a time and then turned and walked away.It was only then that she allowed the curtain to fall back into place.
ChapterSix
Knox hadn’t really been telling a lie when he said he had somewhere that he had to be.He needed to work off some aggression after what Astara just told him and since he was in between mistresses and didn’t feel like visiting a bawdy house, he decided he would better spend his time at Gentleman Jackson’s salon.He was granted afterhours access, not just because he held a ducal title, but because the owner was a personal friend.All it took was a quick note and John was more than happy to spar at any time of day—or night.He was a renowned pugilist who had retired from the ring and now proved his worth as an instructor of the same skills.But just because he no longer fought for the noted pride of doing so, he still enjoyed a good sparring match.Knox was not humble enough to say he wasn’t proficient as a boxer because he’d worked tirelessly to hone his ability, but nor would he boast to say he could ever beat a man like John in a bareknuckle match.The man was an absolute beast.Lord Byron had gone against him more than once in his fervor and found himself backing down after a few swift punches.
Tonight, however, focus was not on Knox’s mind, which was what it might take to actually defeat Gentleman Jackson.Instead, Knox wanted to pummel something rather mercilessly.While it wasn’t the man he yearned to punish for unnerving Miss Smith that evening, he decided to ensure he was up to the task when presented the opportunity.
He wished he’d had the chance to give the bastard a proper set down for frightening Astara.Granted, she hadn’t wanted to make a fuss over the interaction, preferring to brush it off, but he could tell she was truly shaken by the interaction.And the fact the scoundrel actually had the audacity to accuse her of spying for the French?
The door opened and Knox saw red.He had already removed his formal attire, clad only in his small clothes, and held up his hands in a fighting stance as he bounced on the balls of his feet.John chuckled as he noticed his eagerness.“Are you that prepared to get beat down?”the man asked calmly.He was wearing trousers and a plain shirt that he ripped off to show his broad chest.The large muscles alone should have told Knox that he was challenging a formidable opponent, but at the moment, his anger did not care to listen to reason.
As soon as Jackson’s fists were up, Knox threw the first punch.It connected squarely with the man’s jaw, kicking his head back on his shoulders.
John touched his chin and worked it back and forth, as if testing the durability.“Not bad, Hampton.Now it is my turn.”
When the blow struck Knox, he bent over, his breath effectively rushing out of his lungs although the meaty fist was centered on his solar plexus.
“I did not want to scar that pretty face,” Jackson teased.
“Do not hold back on my account,” Knox retorted with a laugh.
