Page 47 of The Swan Syndicate
Fitz shrugged. “Hard to tell. It’s not theTidewaterthat played decoy in the cove. In fact, we haven’t seen her at all. Not at the port and not moored in the bay.”
“Interesting,” Lando said.
“Did the blacksmith have anything to report?” Jamie asked.
Beckworth lifted a brow. Jamie had a spy in port. He must have several along the coast. Smart man.
“He hadn’t spotted MacDuff but confirmed smuggling activities had increased in the last few months,” Lando reported.
“If he hadn’t seen MacDuff, then he must have just arrived.” Stella sat up, her fingers fidgeting between gripping her mug and playing with the sleeves of her dress. She hadn’t thought to bring her paper.
Jamie nodded. “Chances are he’ll spend at least one night at port. We’ll use the same routine as the last port. Let’s see if we can find out more about MacDuff—name of his ship, his next port, if possible, and any other tidbits that might be helpful.”
“Maybe we’ll see him with Cheval,” Stella suggested.
“With any luck.”
“I’m still not happy about this.” Beckworth frowned as he studied his mug. “But at this point, I’m not sure it’s in our best interest for Stella to be seen with me. At least, not yet.”
“Aye.” Jamie rubbed his chin. “The fewer people he sees from theDaphne, the better. Let’s mix up the teams. Since he’s already seen Lando, it’s best he go with Stella to an inn. There won’t be a question of her seeking dinner off the ship. Lane can go with Fitz, and Michelson with Beckworth. I’ll remain on the ship.”
He glanced at Beckworth. “Is that safe enough for you?”
Beckworth glanced at Stella. He’d prefer she stayed on board until they left port, but he could already imagine the list she’d give him of why she should participate. And other than being terrified by how far she could be dragged into this, going to the inn wasn’t an unreasonable request. His gaze shifted to Lando, who smiled.
“Don’t worry, little man. I’ll watch over her.”
17
Stella added finishing touches to her hair with Beckworth’s reluctant help.
“How is it you always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?” He used the last hairpin then pulled out a lock so it curled about her face. He kissed her temple.
“Some might say it’s the right place at the right time.” She gave his cheek a pinch and smiled. He had dressed in his travel pants and jacket, which looked a bit worn for wear. They needed a decent cleaning, but he preferred to keep one set of clothes appearing unkempt for his surveillance. The easier to blend with the masses.
“You’re way too daring for my comfort.” He retrieved two of the growing flock of swans she’d set on the side table and stuffed them in his jacket pocket.
“Why are you taking swans if you don’t like Jamie’s plan?”
He checked his pistol and counted the gunpowder cartridges. “I didn’t say I didn’t like his plan. Jamie was correct that I started this business with the swans. I just didn’t think they’d go any farther than Gemini.”
She stepped up behind him and ran her hands over his shoulders then down his arms before wrapping hers around his middle, resting her head against his back. “This is just surveillance. Assuming MacDuff even shows up at the inn, Lando will get to see who he’s hanging out with. He already had lunch there. It’s more likely he’ll go to the pubs if he leaves his ship at all.”
He turned around and held her against him, letting his chin rest on top of her head. “If all else fails, Lord Swan will come to your rescue.”
She chuckled. “It is somewhat exciting. Like going undercover with an alias. What would AJ think?”
“She’d either think you mad or, much to Finn’s dismay, want to go with you.”
She stepped back and patted her hair. She appreciated Beckworth’s help but missed Libby’s assistance—especially with her hair. There were enough pins in it now; a storm at sea wouldn’t be enough to disturb it. “You’re not wrong.” She snapped her fingers. “I forgot to ask. Did Hensley send a return message?”
He shook his head. “If he did, it will be waiting at the next port. Jamie will send another one before we leave.”
“And when will that be?”
“It was supposed to be tomorrow, but it will depend on whether we can determine which ship MacDuff is on. We’ll follow a few hours after he departs.”
“How will we know where he goes?”
