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Calliope, however, gave out a small gasp and a curse he hadn’t expected from her. She grasped him by the fabric of his coat and tugged him behind a column.

“Shh!” She laid one finger on her lips, glaring at him with wide eyes.

“What is it?” he whispered.

“Do be quiet,” she mouthed. “It’s Preston!”

Nathaniel released a quick breath. Of course. Her brother would be continuing the search himself.

He nodded. Footsteps sounded closer to them and so did the voices.

“…so if you would allow me to look through the records of sailors or officers that departed during September, I would be much obliged,” droned Preston’s baritone.

“Of course,” said Langden, “I wish I could grant you anything you need. I cannot, however, allow you to see everything as we are in two wars, sir, and certain information must remain secret. We cannot be too careful.”

“I understand. I am happy to have one of your officers supervise me as I look through them.”

Nathaniel could see them passing by the column now. Calliope, whose breasts were pressed against him, stilled and didn’t breathe. Neither did he—but not because of the admiral and her brother.

Because her scent was so lovely and the warm touch of her body so seductive. And they were hidden in the darkness… If he just lowered his head, he could kiss her.

“I’m afraid I cannot allow that, either, sir. I can, however, have someone look for your brother’s name and report if they see something worth reporting.”

Their voices trailed off as the two of them passed Nathaniel and Calliope and then disappeared from Nathaniel’s vision, probably taking the corridor leading to the other wing.

When Nathaniel couldn’t hear their footsteps or voices any longer, Calliope sighed out a long breath of relief.

“Aren’t you happy you have me?” Nathaniel asked, still relishing the feel of her so close to him. “The admiral will not provide much information even to your brother.”

Calliope gave him back a little smile that made his stomach bubble with some sort of joy.

“Yes, I am very lucky to have you,” she said from under hooded eyes. “And I’m paying a high price for the privilege of your help. Now, come quick. Let’s do what we came here to do before Preston sees me.”

Their destination, the Naval Transport Board, maintained lists of ships and their captains, as well as information about their cargo and destination. They also kept track of departure and arrival dates for ships and their crews.

Nathaniel and Calliope entered a large formal space with tall windows, high ceilings, and elaborate moldings. The walls were adorned with portraits of naval heroes, maps, and other nautical artwork. Clerks and officers sat at polished mahogany desks, talked, or searched through the records of the books placed on the tall bookshelves. The sounds of quills scratching on paper and voices calling out instructions or talking filled the space.

Looking around the room, Nathaniel located a thick man in his forties wearing glasses. He leaned over his desk, dipping his pen into the inkwell and then writing something.

“Come with me,” he said to Calliope and walked to the corner of the large room where Officer Hughes sat. Hughes looked up as they approached, his eyes narrowing as they landed on Nathaniel. His eyebrows furrowed, and his lips pressed tightly together.

Nathaniel knew Hughes, although not very well. It must have been three years ago when, on a drunken night, Hughes had shared with him that he was courting a woman he hoped to make his wife, but she wasn’t responding as well as he’d hoped. Nathaniel had given him advice on how to change that. His courtship had become a success, and now Hughes was a happily married man with a two-year-old daughter.

However, when sober, Hughes, just like Calliope, disapproved of Nathaniel’s rakish lifestyle. Besides, he was a man known for his meticulousness and hated being interrupted.

But Hughes owed Nathaniel a favor.

“May I help you, Your Grace?” Hughes asked.

He glanced at Calliope and his frown deepened.

“Let me introduce my fiancée,” said Nathaniel. “This is Lady Calliope Seaton. Lady Calliope, this is Officer Hughes.”

“Lady Calliope.” Hughes nodded. “Pleased to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine, sir,” said Calliope.

“Hughes, I require your assistance,” said Nathaniel. “I need to know which ships were docked in London on September 3, 1812, and when they sailed off.”