Page 79 of The Moonstone Pirate
“I would like you to get those butterfly clips for your hair.”
He did not know why this mattered to him, but it did.
“That again. Why do you keep bringing it up?” She frowned lightly when he did not reply. “All right.”
They had slowed their pace so that Deandra and Parrot—who was barking in delight and having a grand time chasing birds—were now far ahead of them. They were on the shore road, the glistening cove waters on their left and the massive stone fort on their right. The hospital was immediately ahead of them. The sun shone brightly and the salty breeze off the water cooled them.
He gave Imogen’s hand another light touch.
She entwined her fingers in his. “You’re worried about your meeting with the Irishman.”
“No, he is the least of my worries. He and I have a history. I can talk my way out of a confrontation with him.” He glanced at the shimmering waters and then turned back to gaze at her,losing himself in her aquamarine eyes. “The problem is, how do I convert him to my side? He is the key to dismantling this rebel plot. But with Healey and Burke now in hiding or possibly dead, how much does he know? How much can he help me?”
“Assuming he is willing to help you at all,” Imogen remarked.
“I think I can turn him, but I don’t know if he has been told who the new rebel agents will be. He probably knows when the goods are to be delivered, but does he know where they will go after leaving my cave? And does he know who the rebel leaders are?”
“I think it will help if you toss out names and see how he responds.”
“All I have is Driscoll, Healey, and Burke. No, I need a name that will surprise him and make him think the rebel operation is falling apart.”
“We still have a day to come up with someone. If we don’t… Well, you’ll just have to use what you have. Converting him may have to wait until his next visit.”
“I would prefer to end it now.”
“I know.” She regarded him with concern. “Draco, my greatest fear is that you will be dragged in too deep and caught in the crossfire when the rebel plot falls apart and all the conspirators start shooting at each other.”
“Imogen, if it falls apart, I think McTavish will take my side. He doesn’t give a fig about political intrigue or supposed causes. Even if he loses trust in me, there is no reason for him to harm me. He doesn’t want a murder charge hanging over his head. Why bother when all he has to do is forget about using my caves and not show up in Moonstone Landing?”
“What if he holds a grudge against you?”
“And decides to avenge my betrayal?” Draco laughed lightly. “First of all, I am going to protect him from the Crown’s retribution, so he will credit me with saving his life. Everysuccessful privateer is practical. Why risk being hunted down for the murder of an earl when he can find himself another cave, drop off his guns, and collect his fee?”
“Assuming he has time to start a new search for a suitable cave.”
“If things get too hot in England, he can sell them somewhere else in the world. He isn’t dependent on these rebels. Yes, he will be annoyed and perhaps squeezed financially for a short while, but this happens in any business.” He sighed and shook his head. “We are talking about the Irishman and the Crown assignment again. It wasn’t my intention.”
“I’m glad you are confiding in me. You are in this on your own, without guidance from the Home Office. It is too much of a burden for one man to carry. I wish we were not so far from London.”
“Me too.” He raked a hand through his windblown hair.
He had done all he could to prepare, but he was worried it was not enough. Well, he had enlisted the aid of Major Brennan, advised Burness and the constable. Tomorrow, Imogen and Deandra would remain safely out of the way at Westgate Hall. And he would finalize plans—whatever those might turn out to be—with McTavish.
The waiting was the worst. Obsessing over every detail was not helping.
He could do nothing more than rely on his instinct and experience. If he needed to handle matters alone, this was what he would do. These rebels were not rational men of science. Something as small as the snap of a twig or a shadow seen upon the meadow might prove disastrous.
Imogen must have been following his thoughts. She was nibbling her lip. “Fionn and his men could position themselves close to the secret tunnel you opened up, and no one would notice them.”
“No.”
“But they—”
“Imogen, I have thought this through a hundred times. No one is to interfere when the Irishman brings in his crates of weapons. I’ll decide later what to do when it is time for the rebels to pick them up. It is vital that the shipment moves in and then out of my cave without incident.”
“But once they leave your cave, you are going to track them.”
“That’s right. Maybe at that point I will ask Major Brennan to assist.Maybe.”
