“Bloody pathetic.”
Kerr’s graveled voice barely disturbed the winter air as he passed the instrument to Culross’s brother.
The moment Alec trained the glass on the Earl of Abington’s Hooper and Company carriage, he stiffened.
“No Aragon.”
Culross didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to. His breath fogged once in the cold. “No footman.”
“No guards. No escort,” Kerr observed.
“No one at all.”
The McQuoid and Smith’s carelessness ensured the narrow Roman road was guarded by nothing more than snow-covered elms, oaks, and willows. And that of a single burly driver. Mr. Thomas, a loyal former crewmember of Captain McQuoid, was capable with his fists, but possessed of not enough wit to know better.
“Impossible.”
“On the contrary.”
Alec shook his head in disbelief. Kerr in disgust.
One invaluable truth Culross had learned during his time among the McQuoids was this: where that family was concerned,anythingwas possible. Including leaving three unmarried ladies unattended just beyond the city’s edge, on the way to Ermine Street.
Aside from Meghan’s dozing maid, there were a full two miles between the ladies and any hope of rescue from their family.
And yet…
A slow satisfaction unfurled in the place where Culross’s heart should have been. Not triumph. Not relief. Something colder. More deliberate.
Only one woman who mattered this day—Meghan. Tremaine’s sister-in-law. McQuoid’s cousin. Hartwell’s bride.
The fiery-tongued minx would go quietly.
Culross accepted the spyglass back from his brother.
If not, she would learn why silence was preferable.
At least outside the bedchambers.
His grip tightened once before he slid the wood viewing glass into the inside pocket of his cloak.
“You’re never going to find me!” Meghan cried jubilantly.
The lady’s bell-clear voice carried through the shallow vale, echoing between the bare-limbed trees—louder than the church bells which had begun to toll.
Alec’s scarred features displayed his disgust.
“Surely she’s not serious.”
Oh, the termagant could be, as Culross discovered firsthand last evening.
“Did you hear me?” Meghan raised her voice even higher this time in challenge. “You’ll never get me.”
Oh, but I will.Culross closed his eyes for a brief, savoring moment. Not yet. But soon.Very soon, ma petite chou.
There came an answering call. “Here I come!”
A smile more glacial than the winter gusts grazed Culross’s lips.
