Page 111 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

Her opportunity arose shortly before supper, when she encountered him in the hallway, requesting his help before Drake had appeared.

Nash raised a dark eyebrow, and she whispered, “I’ll explain later.”

After supper, the family had gathered in the small drawing room and discussed the last few days’ events. Juliana shifted in her seat next to Honoria and—for what seemed like the hundredth time—slid a glance toward the clock.

At nine, Adalyn had excused herself to put Benjamin and Mena to bed, stating, as she seemed exceptionally tired as of late, she would follow them.

When the clock chimed half past nine, Juliana took a cue from Adalyn and feigned a yawn accompanied by an exaggerated stretch as Drake described some of the preparations for the king’s funeral.

“Am I boring you, Jules?” Drake grinned at her.

“Pardon me. But with the excitement of the ball last night, I didn’t sleep well.”

Lord Nash sputtered into his glass of brandy, then covered it with a cough. “Strong but good, Burwood.”

Juliana caught Nash’s eye and rose.

He laid the glass down on the table next to him. “However, I agree with your sister. Perhaps we should all retire early this evening. I think I’ll join my wife. May I escort you upstairs, Miss Merrick?”

Juliana gratefully accepted, praying he remembered and still meant to help.

Once they were ascending the stairs, Nash asked, “You seemed concerned about the time, Miss Merrick. I noticed you glancing at the clock all evening. Is the help you require from me time sensitive?”

“It is. I received an anonymous note signed ‘A friend,’ instructing me to come to the back entrance ofThe Knave of Heartsat quarter past ten tonight. The person implied Victor was either hiding something from me or lying about something. They said to come alone.”

“Ah. And you suspect a trap of some sort?”

“Possibly. But even if it’s not, I’m not fool enough to think a woman can go out at night behind a gaming hell unprotected.”

“You want me to accompany you?”

“Yes. No. Not exactly. They said to come alone, so it must at least appear no one is with me. Obviously, I couldn’t ask Drake, as he would forbid me to go. However . . .”

Nash held up his hand. “Say no more. Although I’m inclined to agree with your brother. Even if I’m discreetly with you and stay out of sight, there’s no guarantee this person won’t harm you.” His dark eyes studied her, probing for what, she couldn’t say. “If I’m to agree to this hare-brained scheme, you mustpromise me to do exactly as I tell you. No arguments. I owe a large debt to the duchess, and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to someone she loved on my watch.”

She nodded, her crossed fingers hidden in the folds of her gown.

“Very well. Our biggest challenge will be sneaking out of this house unnoticed. It’s still early enough that most people won’t be abed, especially servants. When we arrive at the meeting place, if I detect the slightest hint of danger, I will signal you with a low whistle, and you must promise to run as fast as you can toward me. Do I have your word?”

Juliana swallowed the lump clogging her throat. “Yes.”

“Very well.” Nash’s icy tone indicated he didn’t quite believe her, and she cursed herself for the poor liar she was. “That gown won’t do. Do you have something more sensible to change into? Nothing with lacey sleeves or ribbons to grab hold of, not so heavy of a fabric so you can run.”

“My summer riding habit.”

“Good. Change as quickly as you can. We don’t have much time. I’m going to create a diversion, then I’ll come get you.”

Giving a quick nod to Nash, Juliana slipped into her room. She had mere minutes to transform into someone else entirely. Someone bold enough to sneak out into the London night and brave whatever awaited behindThe Knave of Hearts.As she scrambled to locate her half-boots, she startled at the soft knock at her door. Nash couldn’t expect her to be ready so soon. She hadn’t even removed her gown.

The door creaked open, and Miss Price poked her head in. “Why didn’t you ring for me, miss? Lord Nash came downstairs and mentioned you were ready to retire.”

What a dilemma. Although she could use assistance removing the elegant gown she had on for supper, Juliana could hardly request to change into her riding habit. “I have a terribleheadache. I was just going to get out of this gown and corset and then climb into bed.”

Miss Price tsked and made quick work of removing Juliana’s gown and corset. When she pulled a soft cotton nightgown from the clothespress, Juliana shook her head.

“No need. I’m fine like this.” Juliana made a show of climbing into bed and slipping beneath the covers, sighing loudly.

“Well, I suppose your chemise is close enough to a nightgown.” Miss Price’s disapproving tone belied her words. “Will there be anything else?”

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