Page 98 of The Swan Syndicate
Once their jovial mood faded, so did his smile, and his tone became earnest. “Do you know how much I love you?”
Stella stroked his cheek. “I have some idea, but it wouldn’t hurt to remind me.”
His kiss was heated with a hunger she hadn’t seen before, which seemed impossible after the many shared nights of heartfelt passion. Nights where they simply held each other or stripped the sheets with hot sex.
“We are two lucky people, Lady Swan. What adventures wait for us.”
“Until then, I only have one thing to ask of you, Teddy.”
He didn’t wait for her to finish before tugging her to him for more intimate adventures.
THANK YOU FOR READING!
Stella’s and Beckworth’s adventures continue!
London, 1806. A stolen necklace. A secret mission. A love caught in the crossfire.
Stella Caldway returns to London hoping for a season of elegance and ease—but when a priceless necklace vanishes at a glittering ball, she’s drawn into a mystery she can’t ignore.
Viscount Theodore Beckworth only wants to give her the life she deserves. But with a dangerous smuggler on the loose and a secret mission from the Crown, he’s forced to lie to the woman he loves.
In a city of masks and secrets, trust is a luxury. And where Stella goes, chaos always follows.
The Swan Detective
Swan Syndicate - Book 2
Keep reading for a preview fromThe Swan Detective.
THE SWAN DETECTIVE - BOOK 2
London - 1806
Stella tugged at the bodice of her rose-colored dress, then ran her hands over the skirts before reaching for her opal necklace as she glanced around the ballroom. Her eyes bulged at the sight, having never seen anything so grand.
“You’re not nervous, are you?” Beckworth’s warm breath caressed her neck as he leaned closer, a wicked smile on his handsome face.
“What are you up to?”
He chuckled. “Nothing. It’s rare to find an astonished expression on your beautiful face.”
She tapped his shoulder with her lace fan, then glanced at the fancy accessory and laughed. “I can’t believe I just did that.” She straightened her shoulders. “It appears I’ll fit in just fine.”
He put her arm through his and guided her down the steps. “I think you’ll be perfect, but I understand how overwhelming a ball of this size can be for the first time. The fashion alone could make one marvel all evening.”
“I should have known fashion would be the first thing on your mind. So, where do we start? I don’t see Elizabeth or Mary.”
“I thought I saw Hensley in the crowd when we first walked in, but I don’t see him now. Mary is most likely with her circle of friends from the Cotswolds. She’s known to circulate more widely at the various parties and balls, but for this particular one, she usually hovers with her local friends from Bristol. Elizabeth, considering her stature as Dame Ellingsworth, will be with Agatha and Lord Osborne. I think I caught sight of the Melvilles, too, but let’s steer our own course for now.”
Stella wouldn’t argue. She’d attended other parties since arriving in London for the season and had disregarded Beckworth’s and Mary’s excitement for this particular ball, believing them to be too enamored by it all. She’d been dead wrong. AJ never mentioned a party so lavish, but she might not have attended anything this massive.
From what Mary said, the duke’s ball was one of the most anticipated of the season, and anyone who was anyone expected an invitation. Elizabeth had seen to theirs, though Stella had a feeling all Beckworth had to do was send a letter, and an invitation would have been on its way. She might be wrong, but she didn’t think so. Beckworth had friends in the most unexpected of places.
They greeted a half dozen couples, constantly dragged into conversations about the war, fashion, and sometimes a little gossip. Stella held onto those tidbits for her planned lunch date with Mary and Elizabeth the following day. It wasn’t often she had gossip to share. Not that she didn’t have a rowdy tale or two that Libby always shared about these events. The stories always ended with Mary quickly fanning herself while Elizabeth howled with laughter.
“Let’s see if we can find someone in one of the less crowded rooms.” He snagged two glasses of champagne from a passingserver and handed one to Stella. “If I see anyone I know along the way, I’ll keep the introductions short.”
“Gee, I thought you knew everyone.”
