by C. J. Archer
Alice huffed out a breath. "You have a difficult task."
"Learning the secret will not be easy, I grant you. But with your assistance, I believe we will prevail."
She shook her head. He hadn't quite understood her. "Discovering the secret is only one hurdle."
When she paused he said, "Go on."
"The more difficult problem will be ensuring the secret is no longer a threat to Lord Hawkesbury. You must somehow silence Enderby without letting the secret out." From the grim set of Lord Warhurst's mouth, she knew he was aware of that fact, as he was no doubt aware that Hawkesbury would have already tried purchasing Lord Enderby's silence with something other than a betrothal to his daughter.
"We'll cross that hurdle when we discover what Enderby knows," he said.
Alice wasn't so sure ignoring that dilemma before they even began was a good idea but she didn't say so. She was being paid to help discover the secret, not concern herself with events beyond that.
Lord Warhurst raised his hand to silence her. The clip clop of hooves on the cobblestones echoed around the inn-yard. The rider called for an ostler and their brief exchange was followed by the sound of the horse being led away. The door to the taproom opened and a lively tune strummed on a lute drifted out to the tiring house along with the trickle of laughter and voices.
"I must go," Lord Warhurst said. "We should not be seen together. Not here. There's a small inn called the Golden Lion near St. Mary le Bow. It's out of the way and not likely to be frequented by either Hawkesbury, Enderby or your players. Do you know it?"
"No but I'll find it."
"Good. Dine with me at midday there tomorrow." It was an order and Warhurst seemed used to giving them, and having them obeyed.
She nodded because it wasn't in her interests to refuse him. "Until midday then, my lord."
He nodded, turned but paused at the curtain. "Thank you, Mistress Croft," he said without fully facing her. His profile was strong with the hard lines of his jaw and straight nose. Alice felt that odd little flutter in the pit of her stomach again and tried very hard not to stare. "I appreciate your assistance," he said. "I will ensure that your safety will not be jeopardized by anything I request of you."
"Your words are noble, Lord Warhurst, but I assure you I am capable of taking care of myself." She wasn't sure why she said it. Perhaps it was a need to assert herself with a man who thought her so far beneath him he was almost too embarrassed to ask her for assistance.
He turned to her fully and his direct, unblinking gaze held hers. She swallowed. "Nevertheless you are now working for me and I take my responsibility to those in my employ very seriously."
"I am not one of your servants," she tossed back.
His nostrils flared but he said nothing. He opened the curtain and walked away.
She let out a long breath and slowly began to remove the gorgeous costume, beginning with the lawn partlet he'd so deliberately and deliciously tucked into her bodice.
**A SECRET DESIRE (Book 2 of Lord Hawkesbury’s Players) is now available for immediate download from Amazon.**
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