She’d sent him a look that warned him it had been a foolish question.
“I never had a maid of my own until I married you.”
“Many things have changed in the last two months.”
She’d only smiled at that remark.
He gently cradled her as she slept, grateful beyond measure he’d gone to the Society of the Mercaii that night.
Once home, they slept for a few hours. He loved Veronica at dawn, slipping inside her, their bodies rising and falling in a slow, seductive, drugging rhythm. He’d wanted to pleasure her but pleased himself as well, lost in her. He slid one hand beneath her buttocks, lifted her, intent on giving her more, needing to give her more. She arched against him, a sound of surrender escaping her full and well-kissed lips.
Later that morning, he returned to the distillery to find Ralston had been busy in his absence.
The rest of the envelope had been retrieved and lay on the grass in strips. The silk was too damaged to be used again, but he thanked Ralston for his effort regardless.
“I’m going up tomorrow,” he told Ralston, waiting for the other man’s response.
“In what, Your Lordship?” Ralston asked, frowning. “The envelope is in shreds, and you’ve removed the baffles from your balloon to use on the ship.”
He smiled, pleased at Ralston’s knowledge. “You know that, and I know that, but no one else does. I’d like you to spread the word I’ll be flying again tomorrow.”
Ralston’s brow furrowed. “Your Lordship, wide ears and short tongues are best, but I’m curious. Why?”
“Someone wanted my airship to fail, Ralston.”
The other man nodded, suddenly understanding. “You’re setting a trap, then, sir?”
“I am,” he said.
“May I assist you, sir?”
He smiled. “Indeed you may. First, I’d like you to spread the word. Second, let me know when Edmund arrives, andthird, join me back here once it’s dark. Bring Tom. We’ll need reinforcements. But no one else is to know.”
Ralston nodded, looking pleased at his assignments.
Montgomery had taken the precaution of arming himself with the pistol he’d brought from Virginia. He hid it behind one of the abandoned whiskey kettles, studying the layout with an eye to tonight’s performance. He’d settle himself into a depression in the earthen floor and wait.
First, however, he had another, even more important, task to perform.
He found Veronica an hour later, a good distance from Doncaster Hall, standing atop a knoll.
“What are you doing?” he asked when he reached her.
“Saying goodbye,” she said, not turning.
“Goodbye?”
She nodded.
“To me?” Damned if his heart didn’t skip a beat or two.
“No,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at him. “To the past.”
He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her back against him.
“Look around you, Montgomery Fairfax. What do you see?”
Green, rolling glens gave way to brushy hills covered by undulating flocks of sheep with black faces and shaggy coats. Beyond, the mountains were dark gray, the color of shale, punched into relief by black shadows, and highlighted by a midday sun. Even farther, the high peaks of mountains, already dusted with snow, poked at the sky.
