Page 50 of After the Spy Seduces

“Since this morning.” He’d ridden his saddle horse, and so had made better time than she.

Her chest tightened with dread, and she forced herself to ask, fearing the answer, “Any word about Meri?”

“It’s still too early for the French to make contact. But I’m certain she’s safe.” He squeezed her arm to reassure her, then swiftly changed topics. “I secured a room for us at the hotel. Since we don’t know how long we’ll be here, it seemed better to have the comfort and privacy of a hotel rather than a shared room with five others in the coaching inn.”

Appreciation at his thoughtfulness warmed her chest. “I’m glad you’re here,” she admitted.

He smiled down at her. “You, too.”

Well, that was a lie, if ever she heard one. If he’d had his way, she’d be locked up in Idlewild, and he’d be here alone to hand over the diary.

He hadn’t been pleased that she’d insisted on coming here, or with the story they’d had to concoct for the servants and tenants to explain her sudden departure. That Christopher had brought a message from Garrett, claiming that her brother had gone to the seaside to visit friends and invited her to join him. That knowing all the demands of planning and hosting the party she would be exhausted and could use a bit of rest by the sea. But then Meri had gone missing, and he’d stayed to help in the search. They’d told the household that Meri had been found after midnight, after wandering away and becoming lost. That Diana had left to collect the girl and take her on to their family physician in London, then would send Meri back to Idlewild while she continued onward to meet up with Garrett at the seaside. And because of the suddenness of all that had happened, she wouldn’t be taking her maid with her.

The story was a good one, though, she had to admit. That pretense helped to protect her even here, halfway across the country. There wouldn’t be anyone she knew in Bradwell, of that she was certain. But if anyonedidhappen to see her with Christopher when she was supposed to have been with Garrett, thanks to their story she could claim that the person was mistaken, that she truly was with her brother, even if all her thoughts about Christopher were far from sisterly.

“How was your trip?” he asked.

“Long.” She pulled in a deep, steadying breath. “And the diary?”

“Safely stowed in my breast pocket.”

When she darted a glance to his chest, he grinned at her.

She rolled her eyes. “You did that on purpose.”

“To have a beautiful woman look at my chest? You bet I did.”

Imp.Despite her fatigue and fears over Meri, a small smile curled at her lips. He was attempting to distract her from worrying about her daughter, if only temporarily. His plan wasn’t working—she wouldn’t feel better until she knew Meri was safe—yet she appreciated the attempt.

A thought struck her. “How do the French know that I don’t have it? Why didn’t they try to stop me on the way here to take it?”

“Because they know that I would never endanger you by letting you carry it.” There was absolutelynoteasing in that.

All the tiny muscles in her belly had been a tangled mess since Meri was taken, and his comment only cinched the knot tighter. She murmured, “I was simply hoping that they didn’t know where I was.”

“Believe me, they know where you’ve been every minute of the past three days, and they’ve watched you every step of the way from Idlewild.” He smiled grimly and casually glanced around the dark street, the shadows long as the last red streaks of sunset faded in the west. “They’re watching us even now.”

A chill swirled down her spine. “They’re watching us?”

“If you wanted documents so important that men were willing to kill for them, wouldn’t you be watching the people you’ve tasked with delivering them?” Another squeeze of her arm, but this one did little to comfort her. “Don’t worry, Diana. Wewillbring Meri home safely, I promise you.”

Blinking hard, she gave a sharp nod and looked away.

“Our plan is to wait here until they decide to contact us. Then we’ll follow their instructions and deliver the diary. She’ll be waiting at Idlewild for you when you return. They won’t harm her.”

But his assurances didn’t put her at ease. Her baby had been kidnapped and was being held God only knew where, most likely terrified and alone, crying out inconsolably for her… A shudder of anguish raced through her, and she forced down the pain and fresh tears by sheer force of will.

“Why would they keep their word?” She wanted to rip them apart with her bare hands! “They’re kidnappers, for God’s sake! They have no decency.”

“Because they know who I am.”

She choked back a strangled laugh. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”

“I am.” He smiled tightly, but she caught a glimpse of something darker inside him, something dreadful, and she shivered. “But I’m even more certain that they realize the repercussions of double-crossing me.”

Before she could question him further, he led her across the hard-packed dirt street and between passing wagons loaded with crates and barrels. They were only a hundred yards from the docks. The scent of saltwater teased at her nose, and between the warehouses and shipping offices lining the waterfront, she caught glimpses of boats of all sizes docked at the wharves and sitting anchored farther out in the bay.

“If the French don’t keep their word, no one connected to Whitehall will ever trust their agents again.” His voice developed a hard edge. “They’ll never be able to negotiate for information or favors after that.”