Page 57 of How the Earl Entices

He glared murderously at his brother, which only seemed to amuse Kit more. “We’ll find another way.”

“There isnoother way.” A mix of aggravation and resolve thickened her voice. “Something tells me that the marquess rarely attends such events without a female companion. If you show up without one, pretending to be Ellsworth, you’ll draw too much attention.” She held his gaze in hers and repeated softly, “You need me, Ross.”

The harsh taste of capitulation rose on his tongue.Damnation.She’d cornered him. Again.

“Fine,” he bit out, having no choice but to agree. “But you’ll do exactly as I say.”

She gaped at him, as if offended. “Don’t I always?”

Good Lord, did she actually believe that? If so, he was in far worse trouble than he’d thought.

“So you take Ellsworth’s invitation,” Kit agreed, calling their attentions back to the plan for the evening. “That will let you through the front door.”

Ross nodded. “Wentworth’s personal assistant will most likely be overseeing the guards, so he’s the one we have to distract.”

“Just point him out to me in the crowd.” A determined smile lit her face, but Ross would have sworn he heard uncertainty in her voice.

As he looked at her, with bravery visible in the firm hold of her shoulders, his chest tightened. He knew then that he’d protect her at all costs, whether she liked it or not. Including with his life.

“Once you have his attention, I’ll sneak into Wentworth’s private rooms and search for the diary. Alone, while you remain downstairs.” He fixed a look on her that brooked no argument. “Then at midnight, we’ll leave the party under the cover of all the noise and revelries of the unmasking.”

“I-I have to be gone before then. I can’t remove my mask, can’t show my face—” She turned her head just slightly to the side, to hide her scar, but she couldn’t hide the way she paled at the idea of the unmasking. “No one can see me there.”

“Then perhaps you should stay here.” He would give his right arm if she’d do just that.

“No. I’m going with you.” Then her shoulders sagged almost imperceptibly. But Ross noticed. Sweet Lucifer, he noticedeverythingabout her. “But I’m not taking off my mask.”

“Grace, if the unmasking will be a problem—”

“Then don’t take off your mask,” Kit interjected, anticipating Ross’s objection but answering the complete opposite way. “You’ll be leaving right at midnight anyway. No one will notice a single reveler still behind her mask as she heads out the door.”

A flash of jealousy speared Ross at the look of gratitude Grace sent his brother.

“Once you have the diary, you’ll come back here. In the morning, we’ll take all the evidence you’ve gathered straight to St James’s Palace.” Kit’s gaze softened somberly. “Hopefully, they’ll believe you.”

Ross sent up a silent prayer. But he’d never been fortune’s favorite son.

“We’ll need evening clothes,” Grace reminded them. “And full-face masks.”

Kit nodded. “I’ll fetch them and return—”

“No,” Ross cut in. “There’s too much risk that you’ll be followed. Ellsworth has to bring them.”

Kit didn’t argue that point, knowing he was right. “Fine for you. We’re the same size. You can borrow a set of my evening clothes. But for her”—his eyes slid to Grace—“Ellsworth won’t know which of his paramours to request a gown from that would fit her.”

“I’ll fetch my other dress.” She hurried into her bedroom, calling out over her shoulder, “You can use it to match my measurements!”

When she was safely out of earshot, Kit murmured to Ross, “I like that one. She’s got courage.” He grinned. “I like her a lot.”

Ross’s gaze followed after her in a mix of admiration and concern for her.So do I.

Chapter 17

“There.” Ross finished pouring the last bucket of hot water into the small tin bathtub behind the screen in the corner of Grace’s bedroom. “All ready for your bath, my lady.”

“Hmm.” She bent over to dangle her fingers into the water to test its temperature and gave him that taunting smile he’d come to know so well. And liked a great deal. “Well done.”

He set down the pail and watched as she considered half a dozen small bottles of oils sitting on a stand beside the tub. “Don’t be so surprised.”