Page 45 of The Swan Syndicate
Stella, more surprised by Lando’s greeting than his popping out of thin air, juggled her packages while the man studied Lando. She thought she’d caught the errant packages, but when she felt the chess set slipping, she dropped the bag of herbs rather than take a chance on breaking the chessboard or any of its pieces.
Lando, quicker than the other man, bent over to pick up the package. Before he stood, a paper swan dropped to the ground. Stella caught the drop but couldn’t remember giving Lando a swan. The man’s eyes snapped to the swan but didn’t say anything while Lando hurriedly stuffed it in his pocket.
She placed a hand on Lando’s arm when he attempted to move her along. “It’s alright. I’m afraid it was all my fault. I got turned around and ran into this nice gentleman.” She turned to her new friend. “I’m sorry. My bodyguard tends to be rather overprotective.”
“As he should be for such a beautiful woman.” The man bowed his head to Lando. “These ports aren’t safe for a woman on her own.”
“We must go, my lady. The ship will be leaving soon.” Lando extended an arm, which Stella took.
“You’re traveling?” the man asked as he walked on the other side of her as Lando led them toward the docks.
She wasn’t sure how to play this or why Lando was acting like he was until she caught Fitz walking by. His back was tothem, but she caught the quick side glance he’d given the trio before passing them. She looked at the man next to her, who didn’t seem to notice Fitz since his gaze never seemed to have left her. Thank heavens Beckworth wasn’t there. Would he be as congenial as Lando was being?
If Fitz was monitoring the situation, she shouldn’t mention smuggling. She held back a snort. That would be like walking up to some shady-looking man in Baywood and asking them if they were a drug lord. But this man must be someone important. Why else would Lando have dropped the swan? Maybe he’s Cheval or his first mate. There hadn’t been any recognition in the man’s eyes when Lando showed up. She gave the man a more studious appraisal, now curious what she might have stumbled into, and took a leap of faith. Maybe the man would find it puzzling why she’d taken so long to answer him.
“We’re actually on a cargo run up the coast.” The words were barely out of her mouth when Lando gave her elbow a light squeeze. Did that mean she said something wrong or something right? Or had he meant for the man to see it as if Lando had wanted to keep their cargo a secret? They really should have given her a playbook on what all the silent gestures meant.
“You have a ship?” MacDuff made it sound like he didn’t care one way or another.
She laughed, using one of her more sultry ones, and knew she hit a cord when his gaze darkened with interest. “I believe that’s the easiest way to transport cargo along the coast.”
He laughed with her. “You are a delight.”
When they reached the dock, she stopped Lando and gave the man her hand as she’d seen Dame Ellingsworth and Mary do at London parties.
“It was a pleasure speaking with you, but this is where we must part company.” She fluttered her lashes. “I think you heardmy name mentioned, but I never got yours. May I be so bold as to ask?”
“Aye, my lady. The name is Thaddeus MacDuff, at your service.” He gave her a bow suitable for any London party while she took the moment to clamp down her accelerated heart rate.
“Perhaps we’ll meet again, Mister MacDuff.”
“As I have my own ship and also run cargo, we’ll let fate steer our course.” He kissed her hand, gave Lando a solemn nod, then strode away, whistling a song she didn’t know but assumed was some sea shanty.
Lando led her toward theDaphne, taking his time so they didn’t appear rushed. “That was perfect.”
Her heart was still racing, and her legs were shaky. “A little warning would have been nice.” Stella wanted to look back to see if MacDuff was watching them but didn’t dare.
“Sorry about that, lass. Jamie and Fitz had seen MacDuff come out of the inn down the street. When you ran into him, it was a bit of a last-minute decision.”
She tsked. “Not too last minute if you just happened to have one of my swans fall out of your pocket.” They were setting her up for something.
“It was Jamie’s idea.”
“Why was he even off the ship?”
“He couldn’t remember if he asked me to stop by the blacksmith.”
Jamie and Fitz waited for them at the gangplank.
“I think we’ve just found our way in.” Jamie’s grin filled his face, and Fitz actually rubbed his hands together.
Stella was pretty sure he was already calculating his odds in a betting pool. What they would be betting on, she’d prefer not to know. She gave all three men a steadied gaze then shook her head.
“I’m not saying it’s not a great idea. But have you spoken to Beckworth about it?”
“Are you all mad?” Beckworth paced as he blew off steam after Jamie explained what happened with MacDuff. “You will not put Stella in the middle of this reckless plan. What even possessed you to do such a thing?”
Stella placed a hand on his arm as he passed by her, but the act that usually calmed him had no effect. Instead, he gave her a hard glare and continued his pacing. How could she think he’d approve of such a plan, but then he caught the pointed look she gave Jamie. Maybe this had been his idea all along.
