Michael wasn’t on the portico. She skirted the couples and a group of gentlemen enjoying the night there. At the foot of some steps, a stone path disappeared into the shadows of trees. She remembered that Lord Reeve fancied himself a great arborist and delighted in his collection. His garden was famous for exotic trees of all shapes and sizes.
And somewhere among them must be Michael.
She set out looking for him. She’d actually prefer their discussion away from the house.
The trees bordering the walk were overgrown and dense. At many of the soirees she had attended paper lanterns were usually strewn through the gardens. Not so here. All was dark and quiet. She couldn’t even hear the musicians clearly. If ever there was a garden designed for midnight trysts, this was it. Conscious that her white muslin would stand out in the night, she tried to stay to the shadows.
And then suddenly, Michael was in front of her.
Before she could speak, he placed a hand over her mouth. His other arm encircled her, pinning her close to him. “Quiet, you must be quiet,” he desperately whispered in her ear.
A beat later, she realized they were not alone. He had been spying on someone.
Chapter Fifteen
Pay heed to the rules of engagement.
The Rules (according to Dara)
Young people will do what they will.
Tweedie’s belief
Michael could hear Dara’s heartbeat. It sounded overloud when he needed them to be noiseless.
Or was it the sound of his own pounding heart?
It had been luck when he’d first arrived that he’d caught a glimpse of Sir Duncan Carnuck by the ballroom door leading into the garden. He had not known the gentleman would be in attendance this evening. In fact, Michael’s first intention upon arrival had been to seek out Dara.
However, when he saw Carnuck slip out as if not wishing to be noticed, Michael realized that he might have regained the chance he’d lost theweek before. There must be another meeting. He’d disrupted the other one.
He thought it clever that Sir Duncan and his accomplices met at social gatherings. They hid in plain sight.
And Reeve’s garden was perfect for skulking around, what with all his beloved trees. Michael had easily trailed behind his quarry this time, ducking under branches and winding around trunks.
Fortunately, Michael was far enough behind so that when Sir Duncan greeted another man, he didn’t walk up on them. He’d ducked into the shadows before they could sense his presence. There he’d strained to hear any conversation, and realized they were close to a back garden where a gate led to a passageway.
The man Sir Duncan had come out to meet held a lantern. He kept the light far enough away so that Michael wasn’t able to see his features. His clothes were those more befitting an ostler than a gentleman.
“He sent a lackey?” Sir Duncan was saying, his displeasure clear. He had always had an air of superiority. Michael did not like him. He admired his politics even less. Sir Duncan and he had verbally tussled more than a time or two.
However, the wordlackeyhad made Michael want to look closer. He had a sense there wassomething familiar about the stranger. It was in the way the man held himself. Could they have met before?
He’d thought to edge toward them when he’d heard soft steps approaching. He moved back and caught a glimpse of white muslin. Dara. Of course.
Fortunately he’d caught her before she had stumbled into the meeting. He held her close. The two men had gone quiet. Michael didn’t dare breathe. Dara leaned against him as if she, too, sensed danger. He adored her for trusting him.
After a moment of stillness, the lackey said, “I thought I heard something.” He didn’t speak like an ostler. His speech was deliberate, concise.
“Probably lovers,” Sir Duncan responded. “The gardens are full of them at these events.”
“We should meet some place quieter.”
“I prefer a bit of company,” was Sir Duncan’s reply. “Especially for this sort of business.”
Michael moved deeper into the shadows, his arm guiding Dara to move with him.
“So, tell me, why did he demand a meeting?” Sir Duncan said. “And make it quick. I don’t have time to cool my heels. My wife will notice my absence.”
