He looked up from the paper where he’d been scribbling, eyes unfocused. “Pardon?” He’d been deep in the code and probably hadn’t heard her.
“You kiss like a scoundrel,” she said.
His eyes cleared and he gave her a half-smile, the sort of smile she’d seen on the lips of many a rake. “I do a lot of things like a scoundrel.”
Oh, my. Didn’t that make her legs go weak and her belly flip-flop?
“Such as?” Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke.
He shrugged and looked back at the letter. “You were right earlier. I’m not a scoundrel. It’s late and probably best if we focus on the mission.” He looked up at her. “Don’t you agree?”
She knew she was supposed to agree, but her mind was saying one thing and her body was saying something else. “Of course,” she said.
“Give me one more minute. I almost have it.” He went back to the letter. Lucy felt like clubbing him over the head. How could he focus on that letter when all she could think about was removing his coat and seeing just how broad his shouldersreallywere?
And what was wrong with her? This was Duncan Slorach. She didn’t havethosesorts of feelings for Duncan. He was like a brother to her. Except ever since they’d begun this mission, she’d started to see him differently. What had changed?
Lucy nodded to herself. The mission! They were both in an unfamiliar place with an important assignment. That was the reason her emotions were all churned up.
“I have it,” Duncan said, lifting the paper where he’d translated the letter. Lucy set the lamp on the bedside table and sat beside him, taking the letter. It was brief and to the point. Baron had sent another agent to find the missing informant from the workers’ union. The missing agent had been traced to London and was presumably in the company of some of the more radical members of the union. Baron warned them to suspect everyone.
Lucy looked at Duncan. “If they’re in London, they’re close.”
“Close enough for a midnight rendezvous?”
Definitely that close. “We have to lay a trap for whoever went out tonight. We need to question him.”
“I agree. But if it is a member of the radical wing of the union and the plan is to murder Master Johnny, why haven’t they acted yet? There has been plenty of opportunity.”
Lucy crossed her arms. “I beg your pardon. I’m with the child every waking moment, and Wilhemina or his mother is with him when I’m not.”
Duncan smiled at her. “I’m not questioning your abilities, only why an attempt hasn’t been made on the boy’s life.”
“Perhaps Baron has the wrong information. After all, what good would it do the workers to kill the son of the prime minister? That act won’t give them better working conditions. In fact, it will make the government more hostile to negotiating with them.”
“Good questions. Meet me at the bench tomorrow after the family breaks their fast. We’ll do a search of the area and plan our trap.” He rose and took the letter to the fire, where he tossed it and his deciphering into the low flames and watched them burn. “Goodnight,” he said.
“You’re going to bed then?”
“For the few hours I can, yes. I advise you to do the same.” And then he was gone.
Lucy sighed. He was right. Now that she had a moment alone, she realized how exhausted she felt. There would be no rest tomorrow. She’d not only have to care for Johnny, but she’d also have to track a potential assassin.
She pushed off her boots—or rather boot. She’d left the muddy one outside. How had she not noticed that until now? Her foot was dirty, and after removing the cloak and robe, she washed it and her face and hands. Then she climbed into bed and closed her eyes.
She wouldnotthink about how warm the bed would have been if Duncan had been sharing it with her. She would not think of him at all.
***
DUNCAN SLEPT LIGHTLY, opening his eyes to check the empty bed in the room he shared with the other footmen. Thomas’s bed remained undisturbed.
In the morning, James was up at the usual early hour. “Looks like Thomas didn’t come to bed last night. Maybe he had a spot of luck with one of the maids.”
Duncan scrubbed his face. His eyelids were heavy, and he had to fight the urge to go back to sleep. “Do you think so?”
“Not your Molly,” James said quickly. “I think she only has eyes for you.”
“She’s notmyMolly,” Duncan said.
