Page 78 of One Fine Duke

Dimming the stars.

His heart touched by her fuse, consumed by her flame.

He stroked her lower lip with his thumb.

“Drew.” She clasped his hands. “They’re lighting the lamps.”

The money. The name of Rafe’s fiancée. The reason they were here.

“Devil take it, Mina,” he said. “We have to hurry.”

Chapter18

Mina tugged her cloak over her eyes, covering her hair, her gown. Everyone’s eyes were on the glittering lamps, the magical effect of so many lights bursting to life nearly simultaneously.

“I shouldn’t be allowing you to do this,” Drew said as they approached the back of the round orchestra building.

There was a sheltered grove of trees not far from the building. That would be where the extortionist waited.

“You’re not allowing me to do anything, Drew,” she insisted. “We came to the decision together, remember? We agreed that I’m the logical choice to hand over the coins since no one will see me as a threat and everything will be swift and easy. He said to come alone. If he thinks that you’ve alerted the watch or brought your guard, he’ll run and we won’t have the name.”

“I changed my mind. This is too perilous for you. I will make the exchange.”

“You’ll follow him out, remember? Observe his actions. See if he talks to anyone, which direction he heads. Or did you want to trade roles?”

Drew kept shaking his head back and forth, his brow creased. “This isn’t right.”

“Stop worrying, please. You’ll be watching. If anything goes wrong, you can rescue me. Not that I’ll require rescuing. And please don’t reveal yourself unless you absolutely must.”

“You’ll stay behind that tree until I return,” he said, pointing out a large oak tree nearby.

She liked it when he used that rough and caring tone like granulated honey.

“I promise, Drew. I’ll be waiting for you to return.”

“I still don’t like it.”

“I know it’s difficult for you to relinquish control, to trust someone.” She brushed her fingers over his collar. “But we have an alliance now. We work as a partnership. I seek freedom from my uncle’s control, you want to protect Beatrice, and we both need to find Lord Rafe.”

His chest rose and fell with his breathing. “If you change your mind, Mina, all you have to do is signal me and I’ll come forward.”

“I’ll whistle, would that be a good signal?”

“Yes. Whistle and I’ll come running.”

“Don’t come running, that will startle him. Walk slowly and steadily toward us, talking all the while.”

“Very well. I feel better about this plan.”

“Don’t worry. Everything will go smoothly.” He handed her the heavy bag of coins and took his place behind the tree. She moved into the circular grove of trees. It was quite dark here.

Several people moved nearby, couples walking arm in arm. She hovered in the shadows, the bag of coins in one hand and her pistol, only loosely covered by the velvet of her reticule, in the other.

A tall man garbed all in gray approached. A shiver passed over her.

“ ’e sent a girl?” the man asked with clear disbelief.

“What’s your name, sir?” she asked bravely.

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