Page 39 of The Duke's Mysterious Lover
Folding his arms over his chest, Thorne answered. “They suggested a trap, so clearly great minds think alike. A way to make Blackrose overstep. Once he’s shown his hand, publicly…thenwe can arrest him, put him on public trial. The evidence we have hidden will stand against him and convict.”
Bull slapped his free hand against his knee. “A trap! See? Even His Highness agrees.”
“I never said it was the prince, and aye.” Thorne rolled his chin. “Aye, a trap. We use the code to make Blackrose think we ken information he needs. We set up a meeting with him.”
“And when we have him standing there, speaking of his wrong-doings, we nab him?” Bull’s gaze was eager, but he never once dropped the knife he tossed lightly. “We’re going to need reliable witnesses.”
“We’re going to need useful information,” Fawkes countered, shaking his head. “It cannae be something from theevidence ye’ve already collected, because Blackrose kens that information. If he thinks the coded messages are from us, he’ll no’ fall for the bait.”
Thorne nodded. “Something new, then. Something only Bonkinbone would ken.”
“Where do we get it?”
Bull suddenly snatched the knife from midair and sat forward. “From Blackrose himself! He’s in Bonkinbone House and ye’re married to Bonkinbone’s daughter. Surely we can figure out how to get in?”
Fawkes was already shaking his head. “Ellie’s involved enough already in this. I’ll no’ have her in danger.”
Thorne had to agree. If he was ever lucky enough to find a love like Fawkes and Danielle shared, he’d not want his wife in danger, either. It would be like—like puttingKitin danger.
Just the thought made him shudder.
“We’ll figure it out,” he said quietly.
Fawkes planted his hands on his knees and pushed himself to his feet. “I have a delivery to make tonight.”
With a put-upon sigh, Bull rose as well. “And I promised Flick I’d be home for supper. Dinnae forget ye promised to join us. Tomorrow?”
Vaguely, Thorne nodded. “Aye, tomorrow—or the day after? Send me a note if Flick agrees.”
No’ tonight.Tonight he had plans.
Perhaps something showed on his face, because Bull smirked. “Ye’re going to run upstairs and tell that beautiful valet of yers everything?”
“Nay,Ican keep secrets,” Thorne growled at the lad.
But he just hummed, then winked and slid the knife into its hiding spot. “I think yervaletmight have some secrets from ye as well. Perhaps a long conversation is in order.”
“If we’re exchanging wooing advice,” Fawkes growled, “I’m leaving.”
“I’m no’—we werenae—” Thorne sputtered, and to his surprise, his cousin grinned.
Fawkes had beenteasinghim? Thorne gaped, which caused Fawkes’s grin to grow as he turned.
“Have fun,cousin,” the man called over his shoulder. “I’m glad ye found someone else to appreciate opera.”
Appreciate opera? Hell, Thorne was glad he’d found someone to appreciatehim.
Chapter 8
“I likely should’ve askedthis sooner, Thorne, but where exactly are we going?”
Kit was sitting beside him again in the dark interior of the carriage, trundling through London. She felt as if she were flying, her blood still buzzing with excitement.
The opera had beenmagnificent.
They’d purchased tickets, which meant they’d sat in the stalls of the Royal Opera House rather than up in the boxes with the rest of Society. Thorne’s simple suit—hers as well, for that matter—didn’t mark them as people who belonged up there, and had allowed them anonymity.
It had allowed them to clutch at each other’s hands, as Violetta sang her love for Alfredo. The sheer magnitude of Adelina Patti’s talent had caused a lump in Kit’s throat, and when she’d glanced at Thorne, it was to see tears on his cheeks.
