“Unlike you, I’m willing to reserve judgment,” said Saybrook. “But I agree that we should keep him at arm’s length and not share any details of our plans, or the fact that we’re acquainted with Wolff.”
A pause. “Did Wolff explain why he’s here?”
“He thought it better to wait until we were in a more private place before revealing that information,” she answered.
A frown thinned the earl’s mouth to a taut line. “We would all do well to remember that a ship has precious little privacy. The walls have ears.” He hesitated and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Damn Grentham and his penchant for machinations. Keeping each of us in the dark about what specific assignments the others are handling is a recipe for Trouble.”
“I suppose it makes sense from a spymaster’s perspective. If one agent is caught, he—or she—can’t be coerced into revealing information that would compromise the others.” Arianna saw his jaw tighten at her use of “she.” “But, yes, it’s a cursed nuisance for us.”
The earl swore under his breath.
She reached out and drew him into her arms. “I know you’re worried about me,” she murmured, her lips feathering against his ear. “But don’t be.”
Arianna hesitated, thinking of Wolff’s recent comment. “My conscience lies at the heart of who I am. It’s part of my lifeblood—without it, I’m merely a shadow of myself.” She felt the steady thud of his heart against her chest. “Like all our missions, this one has its share of dangers. But I’m willing—nay, I’m eager!—to face the challenges.”
He held her close. “As I’ve said before, your courage and compassion scare me half to death. But I suppose I’ve learned to live with it.” A sigh. “Just promise me you that you won’t feel compelled to prove your strength by doing something reckless.”
“I promise,” she replied.
A knock on the door drew them apart.
Arianna clicked open the latch, and Sophia slipped into the cabin. Without preamble, she asked, “Is Count von Wolfram the same one as—”
“Yes,” answered Arianna, and quickly added a caution about the walls having ears.
“Why—” began Sophia.
“We don’t know,” replied Saybrook.
Arianna thought it best for her and Saybrook to meet with Wolff privately to discuss his reasons for being part of the mission. There were layers of complications that Sophia couldn’t fathom. “Sandro and I will contrive to have a word with him as soon as possible, and then we’ll know more.”
If Sophia sensed she was being excluded, she didn’t show it.
“And,” added Arianna, “I think we should try to have our private conversations on the main deck. That way, we can keep an eye on our surroundings, and the sounds of the ship and sea will make it harder for anyone to overhear our words.”
Sophia didn’t question the statement. “Do we know whether Major Prescott is sailing with us?”
“He is,” confirmed the earl.
“Then while you arrange to speak with the count, perhaps I should contrive to take a stroll with him, and see whether I can glean any useful information from him.”
“Just remember . . .” Prescott was likely far more skilled at the nuances of interrogation, thought Arianna. Sophia hadn’t yet learned the art of guile. “As Grentham said, we must never forget that Major Prescott’s loyalty may lie with the enemy. So we must take care never to reveal our own plans and objectives.”
Sophia nodded. “I understand.” She hesitated. “But—”
“Answer any of his questions with vague responses,” said Saybrook, ignoring her halting attempt to continue. “Or simply say that we’re keeping you in the dark.”
“Are you?” Sophia drew her shawl a little tighter around her shoulders. “Keeping me in the dark, that is?”
For an instant, Arianna was tempted to be evasive. But half-truths might cause a rift in their friendship that would never quite heal. “Not as of yet. However, I worry that your current emotions . . .”
She hesitated for an instant and then went on with brutal honesty. “Your anger at Grentham, your hurt over his aloofness—those feelings might cause you to ignore his warnings about Prescott, in hopes of proving him wrong.”
Drawing in a deep breath, Arianna made herself continue. “And that would be a grave mistake. Clandestine operatives know all the subtle ways to win another person’s confidence. And an operative who is playing both sides against each other will be even more skilled at exploiting any vulnerabilities. We must all be aware of that and never let down our guard.”
Sophia had colored at Arianna’s first words, but her face—which had quickly turned a bloodless white—now appeared to be carved out of marble. “I—I didn’t realize that you saw me as such a liability for the mission.” Above their heads, the thump of running feet reverberated on the deck, punctuated by the shrill wail of the bosun’s whistle and the crack of canvas catching the wind. “There still may be time for me to be put ashore.”
Arianna shook her head. “I can’t think of anyone I would rather have at my side as we step into a viper’s nest of intrigue. I’m merely trying to remind you of the perfidy of others. The worst sort of villains are the ones who have a sixth sense for how to exploit the trust and loyalty of honorable people.”
