Page 60 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

“But this is more than someone trying to steal his work. How did he even get into this mess?”

Evangeline shook her head. “It doesn’t make sense, I know. Apparently, he stumbled into it during his research, and he’s out of his depth.”

Jonathan’s eyebrow twitched. They still believed their uncle was simply an antiquarian—an unlucky one at that. He remained quiet, not moving in case he became a distraction, as Evangeline reported on her encounter with the Englishman at the market. She left out the part about the riot, quickly meeting his gaze during a pause then changing the subject.

“He could be after Uncle Charles’s research, or he might be looking for the Black Death to hire them,” she concluded. “All I know for certain is we need to find Uncle Charles before he does.”

Regina nodded. “But where do we look?”

“From his research, we know the group takes shelter in the mountains. They’re used to rocky terrain, and pursuing them would be more difficult for their enemies.” She stood. “Sir Jonathan, do you have a topographical map of the area?”

“Lord Dominic has one in his library, but Mount Parnitha meets your criteria. It’s fairly close to Athens, heavily forested with caves for shelter.”

“How long will it take us to reach?” Regina asked.

“You are not going,” Evangeline said to Regina. Xavier quickly agreed.

“You and your sister will stay behind where it is safe,” he said. “I will go into the mountains.”

Evangeline shook her head. “You’ve never met Uncle Charles, and you have no experience in the field. Besides, you need to be here for my sister, especially if the man from the market shows up again.”

Jonathan held his tongue while the trio argued about who was best suited to track down Wedmore. Evangeline won the argument by citing her familiarity with their uncle’s methods and her knowledge of the mercenary group, but only barely.

“Well, you cannot go alone,” Regina snapped.

Evangeline lifted her chin, her pearly skin flushed. “And you need your husband.”

Jonathan intervened. “There’s no reason for any of you to leave the villa. I’m familiar with the terrain and offer my services.”

“No,” Evangeline said. “Uncle Charles already thinks someone is following him, and he won’t show himself to you.”

And Jonathan’s life could be at risk taking Evangeline into the mountains if Wedmore thought she was Jonathan’s prisoner. If he had gleaned anything from hearing her stories, her uncle was fiercely devoted to his family.

Still, Jonathan would walk through hell before he would allow Evangeline to set off with anyone other than himself. Her brother-in-law might be strong, but he was no match for the Black Death if they accidentally stumbled across their camp. How would they explain their presence?

“I have an idea, Miss Darlington,” he said.

She and her sister turned toward him expectantly.

“How are you at dancing?”

Twenty-three

Regina and Xavier were still sleeping when Evangeline slipped into their dark room to say goodbye. Her sister stirred when she leaned down to hug her.

“Are you leaving in the middle of the night?” Regina whispered.

“Sir Jonathan is waiting with his drums. It’s nearly morning.” Or so she had been told. She hadn’t anticipated the work of an antiquarian involved waking before dawn, but here they were.

“It isn’t too late to change your mind,” Regina said.

Evangeline repressed a sigh. They had debated her accompanying Jonathan at length before bedtime. There was no more time to argue. “You’ve always known I’m an adventurer. Now, go back to sleep before you wake your husband.”

“Too late,” Xavier said, his voice gravelly.

She and Regina apologized and exchanged another hug before Evangeline left through the glass door leading to the courtyard. A fine mist surrounded her, and if she hadn’t memorized the layout of the gardens, she might have fallen headlong into the fountain.

Jonathan was standing outside the back gate with the donkey loaded with their gear—his frame drums, changes of clothing, and her precious sketching supplies. They had settled on a disguise last night: married traveling performers on their way to a wedding at a small village in the mountains. Non-threatening and believable, if Jonathan was as good at drumming as he claimed.