Page 62 of The Swan Syndicate
“Why don’t I meet you at the inn?”
He considered her answer, but rather than frown at her illusiveness, he appeared intrigued. Perfect.
“Shall we say eight o’clock? My ship is currently mooring, and I have much to do before then.”
“Then don’t let me take any more of your valuable time. I have my own business to see to.” Before she could walk away, he took her hand. Her first instinct was to pull away, but she pushed the impulse aside as he placed a warm kiss on it.
“Until this evening, my lady.”
She was ready to turn away when Billy raced over.
“I’m sorry, Lady Swan. I thought I’d find you at the apothecary.”
Good grief. She’d forgotten all about Billy and their plans as soon as they’d called off the surveillance. She rearranged the books in her hands.
“I’m sorry, young master.” It was a phrase she’d heard Beckworth use with the youngsters in the London crews, making them feel special. “I’d almost forgotten.” She pulled out one of her paper swans and handed it to him. “Make sure he gets it before his ship leaves, or my trip will be wasted.”
Billy nodded. “No worries, mistress.” Then he scampered out the door.
MacDuff appeared interested in the exchange but had the good manners not to ask. His brow had definitely lifted when he saw the swan and no doubt remembered the one Lando dropped at their first meeting.
“Until later, Mr. MacDuff.”
“Thaddeus, if you please.”
She gave him her best broker smile. “Thaddeus.”
She strode to the clerk on shaky legs, where Lando met her and took the books from her. Neither spoke as he paid for them, tucked the wrapped package under his arm, and followed her out the door.
She squared her shoulders and lifted her head, walking at a sedate pace through the crowd, hoping to blend in. MacDuff could still be watching, trying to discern which ship she was on.
Lando steered her gently by the elbow until Fitz wandered by, head down, and said, “All clear to return to the ship.”
Then he glanced at her. “And a fine job, Lady Swan.” He gave her one of his charming grins before hurrying away.
His words—a fine job—made her smile all the way to theDaphne.
21
Stella tossed the day dress on the bed and turned her back to Beckworth. “I need new dresses. Nothing fancy, but I can’t possibly be expected to play a proper role without the right accessories.”
She thought that might get a chuckle out of him but all she got was a tug on the ties as he loosened them. He slid the dress off her and held her hand as she stepped out of it. He pulled her to him and gave her a kiss that sent shivers through her body.
He wrapped his arms around her, and she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. He hadn’t said a word when they’d returned to the ship. Lando had told her to go to the cabin while he followed Beckworth to where Jamie stood on the far side of the deck.
Her first instinct was to follow, but Beckworth was already on edge, and she’d disobeyed Jamie’s orders. Things had turned out better than expected, but there was always that slim possibility that something could have just as easily gone wrong. She could talk her way out of Jamie’s rebuke, but she didn’t want to have to do it in front of Beckworth.
Fitz came to the cabin thirty minutes later. Beckworth had been sent on another assignment, but he’d return before her dinner with MacDuff. Then he winked at her.
“I don’t care what the others say, nice job. None of us expected MacDuff to be around while the ship was being moored. Lando was impressed by how you handled yourself. Just do the same thing at dinner. Conversation and a little flirting, then find a way to slip in the smuggling.”
She’d laughed. It all sounded so simple. Just drop a hint about smuggling. Maybe right after dinner was served. It was more likely she’d mention it before racing out of the inn for the safety of the ship.
When Beckworth returned, he’d been sullen, but his earlier kiss had told her everything she needed to know. She pulled away from his arms and placed a chase kiss on his lips.
“Dinner, a little conversation, and then back to the ship.” How would that work? “He’s going to want to walk me back to the ship.”
Beckworth nodded, and his game face appeared. “We discussed that. Michelson will already be inside the inn to keep an eye on things. Lando will remain outside the inn while you have dinner. It will show some trust in MacDuff. Once dinner is finished, he might want to take you for an evening stroll. If so, Lando will stick with you. We prefer that MacDuff doesn’t discover what ship you’re on. Not yet. Though chances are he’ll have his own people watching you.”
