Page 112 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

“No, thank you. And please let everyone know not to disturb me.”

The moment Miss Price left and the door clicked shut, Juliana bolted from the bed and retrieved her riding habit. In addition to affording her the ability to ride astride, it was easy to put on without assistance. She had just slid her foot into her remaining half-boot when another knock sounded. That time, no one opened the door and peeked inside. She stilled, holding her breath.

“Miss Merrick?” Deep but quiet, Nash’s voice shook her from her paralysis.

Shoelace loose and dragging next to her, Juliana raced to the door and flung it open.

“Ready?” Assessing her, his gaze traveled down her body. “Good. Sensible. But you’ve forgotten something.” He knelt down and tied the remaining shoelace. “Can’t have you tripping and breaking your neck now.”

The tenderness of the action threw Juliana off guard. With a wife and children, was she asking too much of him? Putting him at unnecessary risk?

“What about Adalyn? Will she keep this secret?”

Nash gazed up with those dark eyes, and Juliana couldn’t think of a person more opposite in appearance to Victor. Yethe was the man Adalyn chose, or perhaps who her heart chose, because Juliana believed she had little control over what her own heart wanted. And at that moment, Juliana gave a little prayer of thanks, that the two men were so different.

“Adalyn is already in bed, and I expect her to sleep through the night. She won’t even know I’m gone.”

“How are we going to leave the house?”

Nash rose and towered over her. “Servants’ staircase. When I spoke to Miss Price, I sent the rest of them on a merry chase to look for a pair of missing boots. I can be rather harsh and demanding when I need to be. Learned that from my father and brother. However, I’m afraid I scared the poor scullery maid so badly, she might still be cowering in the corner of the kitchen.”

“How long do we have? Did you find a good hiding place for the boots?”

His chuckle held a slightly devious tone. “The boots I described don’t exist. They should be searching for hours. Now, come.” He motioned for her to follow him toward the door leading down through the servants’ entrance at the end of the hallway.

After cracking open the door, Nash held out a hand, signaling her to wait as he walked partway down. For a big man, he moved stealthily, his feet barely making a sound against the wooden steps.

“It’s clear,” his whispered account drifted up, and, taking a deep breath, she stepped out and closed the door behind her.

When they reached the bottom, once again, Nash held up his hand, then put a finger to his lips.

She jolted when she heard his voice boom. “What are you still doing here? Why aren’t you looking for my boots?!”

A quivering girl’s voice answered. “I’m sorry, milord. I—I—I’ll go right now.”

In front of Juliana, Nash’s body filled the entry of the staircase, preventing the terrified servant from rushing up past him. A few seconds later, he motioned Juliana forward and into the kitchen.

Juliana scanned the vacant room. “Where did she go?”

“She headed toward the larder. Hurry! We can’t count on her hiding there long.” He opened the back door and practically pushed Juliana from the house.

When she headed toward the mews, Nash grabbed her arm. “Can’t take one of your brother’s carriages. Someone might alert him.”

Thank goodness for Nash. Clearly, she wasn’t suited for subterfuge.

Juliana followed Nash along the side of the house where he instructed her to wait once more. Nervous tension coiled in her belly as precious moments ticked by.

After what seemed an eternity, Nash appeared and led her to a hired hackney coach waiting several homes away.

Seated across from him, Juliana marveled at how calm he appeared. “What time is it?”

He pulled out his pocket watch. “Five till ten. I instructed the driver to let me out several buildings away before depositing you at the gaming hell. Remember what you promised me. At the slightest sign of trouble, run toward me and don’t look back.”

She nodded and prayed it wouldn’t be necessary.

At twenty to tenthat evening, and after a final argument with Tierney about accompanying him, Victor boarded a hackney carriage to meet the anonymous letter writer atThe Knave of Hearts.

Although it wouldn’t change anything about his plans to marry Juliana, unmasking the culprit and bringing them to justice would make a wonderful and unique wedding gift for his bride.

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