“If I prove faithful to you tonight, and you find the trail that leads to the traitor, give me the emeralds,” he murmured. “You said yourself you can’t put the women you’re supposed to be protecting at risk.”
Diana reached for her reticule. “And what about you?”
His hand clasped her wrist. “I can take care of myself.”
Her free hand spread protectively over the necklace. “Is this worth such a lethal gamble?”
“They won’t hurt me as long as I play by their rules.”
She responded with an emphatic scoff.
Reluctantly, he released her arm.
Diana brushed past him and seized a cape from a hook on the door. “If tonight proves a success, we’ll negotiate the return of the emeralds.”
Chapter Thirteen
Thecarriageleftthemon the corner of the Calle Major in the old town, so they could approach Costa’s exclusive casino by foot and blend in with the throngs of people crowding the narrow street.
Ian examined the guards outside the ornate doors at the rear and side of the building. He noted at least four different ways they could get caught. “Are we planning to leave by the front door?”
“Unless you can come up with another alternative.” Diana flashed a society smile at the servants who collected their cloaks and their forged invitations. “It will cause the least disturbance.”
For the hundredth time since they’d left theEver Hart, Ian resisted the urge to throw her over his shoulder and parcel her onto the next ship bound for England. He hesitated only because she was at more risk out of his sight.
When Diana had relayed their scheme to rescue the women, he’d admired the simplicity of it, while knowing that, at best, their odds of success were fifty-fifty. And even if they rescued the women without incident, Il Corno—and whoever else attended the soiree—would pursue them until Ian made himself their sole target.
They followed the sound of voices and music through a corridor to a small receiving room that was far too cozy for the size of the crowd.
“Goodness,” Diana murmured as she flicked out her fan. “The casino is certainly…popular. Makes one question the meaning of the term ‘exclusive.’”
Well-dressed, middle-aged men crowded the room. The few women who accompanied them wore the bright face paint and low-cut gowns favored by paid courtesans.
“Stop scowling at everyone.” Diana slid her arm through his. “It’s hypocritical for you to be so disapproving of a salty crowd.”
Ian’s discomfort grew as they progressed to the dance floor, and he took in the whirling of the other dancers.
“Let’s dance and we can reconnoiter the layout,” Diana said lightly. “Please tell me you know the bolero. It’s practically all they do here.”
His heart sped up in the same manner it would have if she’d suggested he walk unarmed into a pit of hungry lions.
How many times had he watched her on the dance floor with other men, wanting to be in their place and hating himself for it? When he’d first come of age, he’d avoided anything to do with ballrooms. But after the thugs attacked them in Mayfair, he refused to leave Diana unguarded. With Jared away on the Continent, he accepted his brother’s invitations to every party he knew she’d attend and bribed his way into the others.
The prospect of finally holding her closely—in front of so many people—was disarming. Their plans couldn’t afford for him to be so distracted. “Perhaps we should watch.”
“We need to survey the room.” Diana rested her hand on his arm. “You’ll figure out the steps.”
She was baiting him gently. He resented how much he wanted her to continue. The weight of her hand made every one of his muscles stand at attention.
But it was her slow smile that finally prompted him to lead her to the dance floor.
All of those nights watching her must have imprinted the steps onto his brain; they fell into the turns, easily negotiating the narrow space between them. It was not unlike the way they’d moved together to defend themselves at the Swan’s Nest.
Ian couldn’t grow accustomed to it. They needed to complete the operation, and he needed to convince Diana to give up everything related to him and the emeralds.
“I count two guards at the entrance,” Diana murmured.
“Two more at the stage,” he confirmed. “How do we get downstairs?”
