Chapter Eight
Lucy opened the doorat the quiet tap and pulled Duncan inside, closing the door after him. She didn’t have any reason to be concerned about her reputation. Everyone thought he was her brother, but Duncan appreciated her effort at concealment. He’d rather not have to invent a reason for their meeting if anyone observed them.
“I thought you said to come after dinner,” he whispered, his gaze flicking over her and noting she wore a robe cinched over her night rail. There was nothing revealing about her garments, but he still felt the flicker of excitement that he was seeing her as few did.
He’d have to quash that excitement. That wasn’t what this was about.
“I didn’t think you’d come this late,” she whispered back.
“I came earlier, but you didn’t answer.”
She considered. “Ah! Johnny couldn’t fall asleep. I had to read him a story.”
“Which story?”
“Never mind that. You have the letter?”
He patted his coat pocket and withdrew it. Lucy went to the dresser for the lit candle and gestured to the bed. Of course, they would sit on the bed together. There was nowhere else to sit.
As an agent, he felt he should sit stiffly on the edge, but scoundrels made themselves comfortable. So he slid onto the bed and tried to appear comfortable. Lucy looked at him. He looked at her. She was very pretty.
“Will you open the letter? I’m holding the candle.”
“Right.” He broke the seal on the letter and spread it on the counterpane. Lucy leaned closer, bringing the light of the candle with her. Duncan tried to focus on the words, but it was difficult when she smelled of something tantalizing. Was it cinnamon? Some other spice, perhaps. He was used to the scent of limes when he met her, but perhaps that was because they frequently met outside, and the lime trees were fragrant this time of year.
“This is coded,” she said.
Duncan blinked and realized he hadn’t even glanced at the letter. He skimmed it and agreed with her. The letter spoke of mundane news any farm owner might send. It was signed,Uncle Winn.
“I’ll have to decode it,” he said gathering it. “We can meet again tomor—”
“No! Decode it now.”
Duncan raised his brows. “It could take some time. You must be up early in the morning.”
“I’m not here to sleep. Besides, you’ll have more privacy here than you will anywhere else.”
