Page 48 of Lady Frederica and the Scot Who Would Not
“And that we want to meet with Hawk to try to persuade him to forget his revenge. I do believe Hawk will think Gabe never told either of us that Hawk is after you and not Gabe, so Hawk will come to meet with us simply to take you.”
Freddy nibbled on her lip. “He wouldn’t try to hurt you, would he? I don’t want to endanger you.”
Blythe shook her head, a sad look settling on her face. “Not only did I once save Hawk’s life so he owes me a life debt, but I mothered him. So no, I know Hawk would never hurt me. He never blamed me for Georgette and Gabe being together. In fact—” Blythe scrunched up her nose “—he only ever blamed Gabe. It always seemed odd to me that he didn’t hold anger toward Georgette for not loving him but Gabe.”
“That is odd,” Freddy agreed, but she didn’t think they’d ever know why the man had reacted the way he had. “Where should we meet with him?”
Blythe drummed her fingers on the table for a moment. “Somewhere close to the Orcus Society so that once we’ve captured him, I can race over to the club and let Gabe know. But it can’t be the club. Hawk would never go there unaccompanied. And we’ll have to make it clear in the note that we’ll only meet him alone. Now, the other great problem I see is getting you past the guards that Gabe has set here to watch you, but there’s a window in the cellar that you can climb out of, and Huntley and I can provide the distraction you’ll need when the time comes. We can stage a row and then simply leave as if we are both storming away.”
“That’s brilliant, Blythe!”
Blythe grinned. “I thought so, too.”
“Where will we tell Hawk to meet us, then?”
Blythe quirked her mouth back and forth and then said, “The orphanage we all once lived in. It’s abandoned now, but I know the place as well as my own face. We can hide and watch for him coming, and if he’s not alone, we can flee.”
“Don’t you think he’d do the same?” Freddy asked.
“No.” Blythe shook her head. “Hawk has long thought himself invincible, which is why I think he may come alone, but if not, as I said, we’ll flee.”
In the meantime, Freddy would try to show Gabriel in small ways how she could fit into this world, and maybe then he’d open up to the possibility that he could love again. “Blythe, could you bring the books later today? I’d like to show Gabriel that I can do them.”
“I brought them.”
“What sort of things do you think would make Gabriel see I could survive in his world? That I belong here?”
“Well, you could swear a lot.” Blythe grinned. “And wear some pantaloons. And learn to gamble. Oh, and swig Gabe’s whisky! The women of my world aren’t afraid to use their charms, either. When he returns tonight, you might consider seducing him, if you’re not too timid.” She snickered.
Freddy knew just what to do to seduce Gabriel, thanks to her sister and friends in SLAR. She’d go see Madame Toussant today and procure a special night rail made just to tempt a man, and she’d have whisky on hand for both of them. And how hard could it be to learn some bawdy language before tonight? She already knew words such asdamnationandhellfire.
“I need some direction,” she blurted.
Blythe’s eyes went wide. “I hope you don’t mean on seducing Gabriel.”
“No!” Freddy’s face heated. “I need you to teach me some bawdy words.”
She gave Freddy an approving look. “I can teach you gobs of bawdy words, but a word of warning about the whisky…” Blythe eyed her. “You’ve never really imbibed, have you?”
“No. Ladies aren’t supposed to. I’ve had a sip here and there, and I did have champagne after my wedding.”
“Those few times won’t make your body used to it. Have no more thantwofingerfuls. I can have three and just feel the effects so you should keep it to two. Oh, and don’t talk of the heart and emotions or expect Gabe to act like a dandy. People in Covent Garden don’t talk of soft things. Come to think of it, I don’t think I ever once heard Gabe or Georgette speak of their love for each other or even tell the other any words of love. In fact, Georgette was rather reserved with her emotions. The best advice I can give you is to make Gabe think you only want him for bedroom pleasure, and then, once his guard is down, you can win his heart.”
Chapter Seventeen
Gabe glanced around the table at the men he’d asked to aid him. He counted each of them as a friend, but none of them had he ever let too close. Carrington was closer than any, but there was still a barrier there. And yet, they’d come and stayed all day and late into the night, working together to concoct a plan to find Hawk.
As the men rose to leave, and return to their homes and wives, the tight band that had been squeezing Gabe’s chest since Hawk had shown up at the Mayfair home loosened a bit. He would find Hawk with help from the men gathered here—Carrington, Kilgore, and Greybourne—as well as Gabe’s men from Covent Garden, whom he’d already set to the task of scouring the streets and keeping their ears open for word of Hawk. Carrington had connections at Scotland Yard with a man whose job it was to seize petty criminals in the rookeries, and he would check in with the man for any information he might discover.
Kilgore knew the leaders of one of the biggest underground crime rings, as well. He didn’t explain how and Gabe had not asked. What Kilgore had done was offered to ask the man if he’d heard whispers of Hawk returning to Covent Garden, and if he had, where he might be staying or if he could get his comings and goings. And as for Greybourne, he was well acquainted with a physician who happened to specialize in serving unsavory sorts in St. Giles rookery, which was where Hawk had last lived, before he’d disappeared. Greybourne would check with the physician for any news and report back to Gabe.
Gabe felt good about the plan. What he didn’t feel good about was how eager he was to return home to Frederica or how much he’d thought about their time together this morning. He’d enjoyed it too damn much for a man who was supposed to be keeping his wife from getting too close to him. She seemed to be slipping under his skin, despite his efforts, so as everyone rose to leave and filed out of the room, he kept his seat behind his desk.
Carrington was the last out of Gabe’s office, but the man paused at the door, turning back toward Gabe. “It won’t work, ye know.”
Gabe frowned. “What won’t work?”
“Trying to keep yer life separate from Freddy’s.”
