Page 44 of The Moonstone Pirate
“Imogen, this is not a game.” He tucked a finger under her chin. “You have to stop asking questions.”
“It was a conversation. I wasn’t asking questions.”
He sighed. “Let me do my work without worrying that you have drawn unwanted attention upon yourself. Those two lords, Healey and Burke, are still here.”
She nodded. “I know. Thaddius mentioned it to me. Have you found out whether Driscoll was also here whenever they were?”
“He wasn’t. I looked for that connection in the Kestrel Inn registers as well.”
“Then it was just Healey, Burke, and that ship’s captain. Still, should they not be questioned about Driscoll and—”
“Blessed saints, you will be the death of me. These are dangerous men, Imogen. You cannot be anywhere near them. I will cancel that dining reservation.”
“But—”
“Canceled.” He strode back to the inn to attend to it and left her standing beside the carriage with her mouth agape. Perhaps he ought to have helped her climb in, but he was furious with her just now and would not have handled her delicately.
He wanted to throttle her.
Worse, he wanted to kiss her breathless.
Thaddius ran up to him as he marched back inside. “Thank goodness you returned. My lord, I was on my way to find you.”
Draco worried something bad had happened. “What’s wrong?”
“Lord Healey and Lord Burke advised me not five minutes ago they are cutting short their stay. They plan to leave tomorrow morning. Should I notify Uncle Malcolm? Do you want him to hold them here longer?”
“No, let them go. I don’t want them followed or any suspicion placed on them. The Crown agents have been advised to keep watch once they are back in London. Did they mention what time they were heading out? Or if they were heading anywhere other than London?”
“I was merely instructed to have Lord Burke’s carriage ready for them at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. Shall I question their coachman? Or have my head groom, Mr. Matchett, do it?He’s a chatty fellow and could find out if they are returning to London or stopping elsewhere first. He’s very good at making conversation.”
“No, Thaddius. Do not involve Mr. Matchett.” Draco had encountered the man a time or two when stabling his horse for the day. He did not stop talking. In truth, he was a worse gossip than Mrs. Halsey’s daughter or Thaddius. Matchett might pick up useful information, but it was more likely he would reveal important information to those lords because he babbled incessantly. “As for you, Thaddius…”
“Yes?”
Draco cast him a stern look. “You are to do nothing more than smile and wish them a pleasant journey.”
“Oh.” His expression was one of disappointment.
“Heaven save me from amateurs,” Draco muttered. He had come to cancel Imogen’s dining reservation, but since those two lords were leaving in the morning, he did not see any harm in letting it stand. He would tell Imogen about his change of heart this evening.
That ought to please her.
In fact, it pleased him quite well.
Driscoll’s friends had fled to London, the Irishman’s ship had sailed away, and these two lords were leaving in the morning. With all of them gone, he was less concerned about Imogen coming to harm if she continued to poke around, which she was going to do no matter how often he warned her to keep out of it.
Despite all his concerns, he was feeling much better than he had this morning. With all the suspects gone, these next two weeks could turn out to be quite pleasant. Imogen would occupy Deandra with morning visits to the army hospital and afternoon visits to Mrs. Halsey’s tea shop, while he was free to go off on his own exploring the local caves with Parrot.
Also, with no villains left in Moonstone Landing, did he really need to cut off all relations with Imogen just yet? Not that he would show her any particular interest or affection. His family was staying with hers these next few days, and this was enough of an excuse to see her from time to time.
Another thing he resolved to do was tell the Marquess of Burness everything that was going on. He gave the matter serious consideration while washing up and dressing in suitable attire for this evening. Merely advising Burness to keep watch on his wayward niece was not enough. Draco had to reveal the details of his assignment, for there was no doubt the marquess could be trusted.
Besides, as Moonstone Landing’s magistrate, he had a right to know.
Draco rode to Westgate Hall later that evening and spoke privately to Burness before they were called in to supper. “You are an agent for the Crown?” he muttered, his relief obvious as Draco revealed what was really going on.
“Assisting the Crown agents on this assignment. I’m not an official Crown agent myself…more of a special agent.” Draco settled in one of the comfortable leather chairs in the study. “I would not have mentioned it, but the situation is too close to leave you unaware. We are trying to break up a smuggling operation that is tied to a potential rebel plot against the Crown. Guns are being delivered to these rebels. We know who is making those deliveries. But as yet, we do not know where those shipments are being dropped off or who is picking them up.”
