Page 76 of A Stranger’s Kiss

Startled, Nicholas propped himself on his elbow. He lay on the couch near the window. Deborah and Olivia stood only a few feet away near the press. Deborah, with tears streaking her cheeks and Olivia, with a letter in her hand. He joined them, at once.

“Lord Blair, whatever shall I do?” Deborah asked, twisting her fingers.

Silently, Olivia handed him the letter.

No more betrayals. This is not a game. Bring the two thousand pounds and the Blue Slipper to the ‘An Enchanted Summer Evening’ at the Theatre Royale. Leave them in the third-tier box during intermission. If they are not to be found, Lady Kendrick will receive the remaining pages of your letter, and right quick, that same night. This is not a game.

“The Theatre Royale?” Nicholas frowned.

“Right quick,” Olivia murmured. “Mr. Pitt often uses that turn of phrase.”

“Mr. Pitt?” Deborah breathed.

Nicholas shook his head. “The man is a fool, but fool enough for some act like this?” He paused. “Yet, only a fool would ask for the Blue Slipper. He will never be able to sell such a thing. The Blue Slipper is far too well known.”

“Unless he broke it,” Deborah choked. “Lady Kendrick. He’s going to give the letter to Lady Kendrick. Everyone in Glasgow will know my secret before the concert is over. Lord Deveraux…” She choked. “Oh, Olivia, he won’t be able to wed me, not with the secret known.”

“Then, we must be diligent,” Nicholas said.

“Can we not confront the man?” Olivia mused. “Stll, that might only make him…”

At Deborah’s fresh bout of sobs, she winced.

Nicholas nodded. Such a thought was better left unsaid. “I must see to Mr. Timms. The man may well have learned something from last night.”

Olivia followed him to the door. “Can this be stopped?”

“Aye, lass.” He took her hand gently between his. “We will find the man.”

She nodded.

He kissed her hand then, not caring a whit about propriety, kissed her lips, so soft, so sweet.

“Later,” he murmured in her ear, then left them.

He’d sent his coachman home the night before. It took longer than expected to wave a hired coach down, but soon, he was on his way to his hotel room.

Mr. Timms arrived, almost at once.

“‘Tis strange, indeed, my lord.” The man mopped his face. His waistcoat had popped another button. “My men and I never saw a thing. Whoever this is, they couldn’t have seen us. I swear it.”

“Then, why did they not arrive at the meeting place, and of more interest, how did they know Deborah stayed inside the townhouse? Were they watching her?” Nicholas paused by his room window and idly tapped on the sill.

“It might be of help to watch the lady,” Mr. Timms suggested. “Perhaps them that are blackmailing her are closer than we think?”

Nicholas nodded. “Aye. Let’s watch Mr. Pitt, as well.”

“Aye, my lord. I’ll not let whoever it is slip through my fingers a second time. Next time, we will catch him—or her. I swear it.”

“Have your men watch after Deborah.” Nicholas folded his arms.

“Aye, my lord. All things considering, perhaps we should watch after Miss Mackenzie, as well? You did mention she’d been robbed, and the letter was taken from her shop, was it not?”

“Indeed,” Nicholas murmured. “Have your men follow her, as well.”

“Aye, my lord. Night and day.”

The days, most assuredly, but as for the nights? He would see to the nights himself.