Page 19 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
“Perhaps you should have made that clear before dragging me in here.”
“You didn’t need to be dragged.” He wished he could take the words back the minute he spoke them, but any dig at his honor set him off.
He looked at her reddening face and made to reach out, but she surprised him by saying, “I deserved that. My apologies. You are right. I wanted to be alone with you.”
He pulled her into his arms, hugging her tight. “Thank you. I admire your honesty. It’s a highly addictive quality.” He was realizing how lucky he was to have the chance to make Dharma his wife. She excited him like no other woman did. She was beautiful, clever and now he could add honest. Let’s not forget her dowry, even though he wished he could. Her money was at the bottom of his list of reasons Dharma was right for him. Perhaps his luck was turning.
“If you leave the room, turn left, go to the end of the corridor, and then go up the first set of stairs, you’ll reach the back entrance to the ladies’ retiring room. Slip in there and then make sure you walk out with another lady who can vouch to have seen you in there.”
“I can see you have done this many times indeed.”
He ignored her comment. “I’ll stay here until I finish a glass of brandy. Then I’ll ensure I’m seen entering the ballroom from the terrace,” and he nodded at the doors to the outside at the end of the study.
He kissed her once more, then checked the corridor was empty. As she slipped past him, he whispered, “Save the last dance for me.”
The brandy couldn’t dilute the taste of her. It was something he could get addicted to and he would never let any man touch her the way he had. She would be his wife, and after tonight, she knew the truth of that. She would never have let him touch her so intimately if she was not seriously looking to join her life with his.
He smiled into the bottom of the empty glass. Life would be perfect if only he could expose his father’s nemesis. He was about to rejoin the ball when there was a knock at the study door and his man of business, Mr. Brown, entered.
“So sorry to disturb, my lord, but an urgent missive arrived.” Why would Mr. Brown think he needed to read the note this very minute, at a ball? He was about to ask him just that question when Mr. Brown thrust the note into his hand. “They said it was urgent. Immediate urgent. It’s arrived from Scotland.”
With his hands shaking like a leaf in a gale, he tore the seal open. Had the Bow Street Runners he’d dispersed to the four corners of this country finally found something?
Lord Devlin
I was right in my hunch that Mr. McTavish might provide answers. However, his widow will only speak with you and swears she has information that could lead to clearing your father’s name.
Do not reveal this news to anyone. The lady is fearful for her life should those responsible suspect she is talking to you. Try to leave London without fanfare and make it look as if you are not heading north.
I’ve arranged for two of my best men to accompany you for your safety. They will meet you at Hunters Hill, west of London. They should arrive there about the same time as you, as long as you leave London as soon as you receive this missive.
God speed.
Yours Timothy Dirkin
Bow Street Runner
Devlin sunk into the chair nearest him. He was right. His enemy must have learned of the men in Scotland. He’d have to be careful. They had already tried to kill him once already.
“Is there are reply, my lord?”
He’d forgotten Mr. Brown was there. “No reply. I’ll see you at home.”
“Very good, my lord.”
He sat fingering the note in his hand and tried not to let his hopes rise. But this was the first truly important turning point in the ten long years of his search. Never had he been told that someone had something to say that could lead to his father being cleared of treason.
Ten years of having men refuse to have a drink with him. Ten years of the cut direct. Ten years of his mother being ostracized and left to grieve alone. Ten years of his sister being treated like a leper with a refusal to be presented at court. His family had paid too high a price for the villain not to be revealed and punished.
Was this widow his salvation?Don’t get ahead of yourself.The immediate problem is how to leave London without being noticed? He began pacing the room, trying to come up with a plan. He couldn’t very well say his goodbyes to Dharma or anyone at the ball, because they would make a fuss and want to know where he was going alerting his enemy. He would have to slip away.
Dharma would be upset. He’d promised her the last dance. Could he send her a note to explain? But what if someone else saw or she spoke of his leaving to someone else? He didn’t want to say to anyone why he was leaving until he had time to talk safely to this Mrs. McTavish.
A chill gripped him. The closer he got to the truth, the more dangerous the journey became.
Easier to leave and leave quickly and explain once he returned. With his decision made, he left the study and the ball, hoping he could make it to Hunter’s Hill by first light.
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