by Kim Allred
"Exactly." Maire selected two sweet dumplings before returning to her seat with a cup of tea. "Dugan rotated guards and servants while I was imprisoned, not wanting any one person to befriend me. But one of the servants was a loyalist to Beckworth. He'd mentioned the townspeople and several estate owners were whispering about the return of the viscount." She bit her lip. "You see, Beckworth entertained often when I was his guest." The word guest held a bit of an edge. "If word had spread that Beckworth returned but had turned into a recluse, there would be questions."
"So Reginald has no choice but to engage with his neighbors." Ethan seemed dubious. "But why a large party? Why not just a few guests?"
"He might look like Beckworth," Maire responded, "but on close inspection, he has a slight scar on his upper lip. I suppose that could be explained, but his mannerisms can't."
Finn passed AJ an empty plate, and the soulful begging in his eyes forced her to get up to refill it. She smiled to herself, pleased their afternoon lovemaking had increased his hunger. Finn leaned back, fully relaxed for the first time in weeks. "He wants to show off his ability to entertain. A ball will allow him to do that without having to spend too much time with any one person. His guests will see he's back, and I'm sure he'll have the perfect story to explain away any differences between him and Beckworth."
"The London season has begun." Hensley tapped his fingers, then finished off a glass of whiskey. "Many people have already closed up their country estates, but like us, with the war on, there will be many late arrivals. Anyone near Waverly will be too curious not to attend. This will be their first glimpse inside the estate since the viscount's return."
AJ stood to play hostess, refilling glasses to hide her restlessness. There was nothing she could do to dissuade the team from seeing the ball as the opportunity they'd been waiting for, but she had a bad feeling about it.
When she stopped to pour another two fingers of whiskey for Hensley, he urged her closer. "Don't tell Mary. I promised her no whiskey until after dinner."
"Nothing leaves this room." AJ patted his arm. "Your secret is safe."
"I understand now," Jamie said. "Reginald and Beckworth could pass as twins. Reginald probably threatened the servants from revealing his secrets. He certainly wouldn't fool them for long. But he can't control the townspeople or neighbors, so he has to disguise himself from prying eyes."
"A masterful plan which plays right into our hands." Hensley smiled. "The ball opens the front door. There will be dozens of people, if not more, milling about. But it won't be easy. I have no doubt Dugan will have his men stationed everywhere."
Finn stared off into some unknown place, and AJ knew he was already deep in thought. She'd seen the look dozens of times, in this century and in hers. He could sit for hours as he mentally mapped out each option, considered each outcome. He'd toss out the bad ideas, while rehashing others. This was what he was best at—strategy.
"We won't know for sure." Thomas tapped the map. "But with that many guests, Reginald will probably bring in temporary servants. The number of people in residence for the ball will at least double the number of staff, maybe more. Dugan will have no other choice than to rearrange the guards."
"He won't be able to let too many guards inside." Finn returned to the conversation, but he held on to his faraway gaze. "It will make the guests nervous."
Thomas nodded, his hand tracing the edges of the map. "The question is, how many guards will he place around the manor? Waverly isn't walled off, and there are dozens of ways onto the estate.
"He's sure to post guards at all the doors." Jamie pointed to several spots on the maps. "These are the main doors that Maire identified."
Maire stood and touched Ethan's elbow. He followed her to the table where Thomas and Jamie stood. She gave the map a thorough review. "I never spent much time in the kitchen other than to visit the herb garden. But I think there was another door on the far side, near the ovens. I think it led outside, but I couldn't tell you where. Beckworth can confirm it."
Thomas made a mark where Maire pointed and circled it. "That's good. Are there any other passages you might have overlooked earlier?"
Maire studied the map. She pointed to another spot in the east wing. "There's a room just left of the small library that Beckworth used as his study. The door was always locked."
"That speaks of mischief," Fitz said.
The other members of the team gathered around the map. Maire pointed out a couple of interior doors that she remembered but had never investigated.
"I'm sorry I didn't mention these before." Maire's expression clouded over, and Ethan stroked his hand down her back.
"Don't worry about that. It's been over a year since you've been in the main house. Take your time." Ethan glared at the men around the table, a clear warning to not push her.
Everyone lowered their gazes and patiently waited. Except for Finn, who quirked his lips and shook his head. No doubt finding it amusing how deeply Ethan had fallen for his sister.
Maire snickered and pointed to a spot on the east wing's second floor. "The only area I always wondered about was Beckworth's master chamber. If you look at the building as a whole, each wing is almost an exact duplicate of the other. They have their own entrances, a grand staircase, and the same number of rooms. Several rooms in the west wing seem larger, but the same could be said of the east wing.
"But there are common areas between them." Lando nodded. "The kitchen mainly, and this room that joins the wings."
"Yes, the main sitting room connects the wings." Maire pointed to an area on the second floor of the west wing. "The master bedroom at the end of this hall is larger than the one in the east wing. It was a well-appointed room but not as grand as mine. It was used for important guests."
"And your point?" Thomas asked.
Maire blessed him with her patient smile.
AJ stifled a laugh, knowing Maire's impish smile was her attempt at politeness for someone who couldn't keep up. If AJ didn't know Beckworth as she did now, she'd be as lost as Thomas and the rest of them to what Maire was getting at.
AJ answered his question. "If you were someone who grew up on the streets and now had a huge estate to call your own, wouldn't you grab the largest chamber for yourself?"
Awareness registered on Thomas's face. "Of course. So why did he decide to take the smaller chamber on the east side?"
"There could be dozens of reasons. Who knows what goes on in his head?" Jaime scowled. "Maybe he wants his guests to see what a magnanimous host he is."
"Quite possible," Hensley stated. "Yet, Beckworth is a sly one." He pointed to Beckworth's chamber at the end of the east wing. "But what's the one thing a street urchin always thinks of?"
Finn laughed. "A second way out."
Fitz slapped the table. "Of course." He elbowed Jamie. "We should've known that. Remember that time in Kilkenny?"
Jamie smiled and rubbed his jaw. "Aye. That was our first lesson to always have an alternative exit. I'd have saved myself from a sore jaw and been two crowns richer." He glanced at Finn. "Not much different than what you taught us sailing. Always have another route. Just in case."
Ethan sighed. "And there's only one person who can confirm our suspicion."
The name echoed around the room as they mumbled in unison. "Beckworth."
44
Two days later, the group assembled in the courtyard of Hensley's estate. AJ stared at Bart's carriage. It looked nothing like it had when they'd first arrived. The coach had been given a new coat of paint, and the embellishments that reflected the wealth of the owners had been replaced. AJ didn't think the updates would bear close scrutiny, but she also didn't see a reason why anyone would give the coach a second glance. AJ's first impression grew when she noted the interior had also been improved with padded bench seats and fresh curtains. If nothing else, her backside would be grateful. Two trunks, filled with AJ and Maire's new dresses, had been loaded into a larger box in the back of the coach.
/> Mary held a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. She'd said her goodbyes earlier but, sorry to see them go, needed to impart final words of sage advice.
"Balls are all about being seen, even at a masquerade ball. I typically remind the younger women to keep their chins raised and backs straight, but with the two of you, that would only bring unwanted attention." Mary tapped her chin in thought.
"So you want us to slouch." The solution seemed simple to AJ.
"Oh, no, dear. That would be almost as noticeable. I think the best would be to keep your back straight but keep your head down as best as you can. And keep moving. Never find yourself in a spot where other women can corner you. They're not your friends."
"More like sharks." AJ remembered her first dinner party at Waverly with Lady Agatha Osborne and Dame Ellingsworth. She'd felt like chum treading water while they picked her clean. She'd been more out of sorts at the time, but that particular memory would never go away.
Mary tilted her head. "I'm not familiar with sharks, but they don't sound pleasant."
"They're cold-blooded fish who swim around and eat everything in sight," Maire explained.
Mary smiled. "Ah, I see. Then yes, that was a good analogy. They are sharks."
AJ nodded. "So if we keep moving, they can't catch us. Sounds simple enough."
Mary's lips turned down. "Don't fool yourselves. A large party might appear an easy way to lose one's self in a crowd, but women can be devious, as you know. There are myriad ways to engage others into a conversation, and the women you'll want to avoid are masters of their craft. Never let your guard down."
Maire squeezed Mary's hand. "I may have only spent a couple of months in London last season, but everything you say is true. We'll take it to heart."
Mary hugged them then watched as AJ and Maire made their way to the coach. When AJ glanced back, Mary waved from the porch before disappearing into the house. Mary had only meant to help, but AJ's stomach did flips at the thought of going to the ball. The plan wasn't set in stone, and she wanted to be part of the plan, but she'd rather face Dugan's men than the local aristocracy.
"Listen up." Finn, who had been speaking privately with Hensley, called the group to order. "We travel as a group and stop at the village west of Waverly Manor. AJ and I will go in first and get one room at the local inn. Ethan and Maire will come in an hour later for another room. Lando will try for a third room if available. The rest of you will stagger in separately, and we'll get you into one of the three rooms. We don't know if Dugan still has men watching the local towns, so be careful."
"Will Beckworth be there before us?" Thomas asked.
"He only said he'd meet us there." Finn raised his hand. "I know. He wasn't forthcoming with anything else. It's possible he wasn't sure when he'd be able to arrive."
"Or he's being an ass like normal." Ethan scowled until Maire laid a hand on his arm.
The group nodded, all expecting the worst from the man. AJ was still on the fence about Beckworth but understood the men's mistrust. For now, however, they were Beckworth's best shot at getting his estate back.
"Then what?" Fitz asked.
"Then we wait to see what Beckworth has uncovered." Finn nodded with the men as the grumbling began. "Look. We're moving forward on very little information, but we know how the game is played. Beckworth wouldn't put anything of value in the note in case it didn't make it to us."
Jamie slammed a fist against the coach. "That's easier to hear when a meager tip comes from someone we trust. We're going in blind."
"I think we all feel the same." Finn turned to Hensley, who stepped to stand next to Finn.
"If you think it's too dangerous to enter the village, find your way to either Bart or Eleanor. You've been given directions to their homes. I know you have concerns, but this is the best opportunity we'll have. I expect each of you to perform your duty."
"Why do we always discuss life-impacting plans while stuffed inside tiny rooms?" Thomas mumbled as he pushed Fitz aside to get to the table where he laid out their map.
"Would you rather meet in the stable? At least here we have wine and ale." Thorn, as usual, had commandeered the bed, giving him room to lay his sword across his knee. He hadn't begun to polish it, but AJ knew he'd start once the meeting began. Dodger stood next to the bed, in his usual stance, arms folded across his chest.
Though it was mid-winter, the window had been opened to usher in cooler air to invigorate the stifling room. Squeezing eleven people together in the small space had been a challenge. Maire sat close to Ethan, who seemed to chafe at being unable to pace. He moved to the window to get air, but when he returned to his seat, he ignored it and leaned against the wall behind Maire, his hand resting on her shoulder.
AJ sat by the hearth, and Lando stood next to her like a personal sentinel.
Jamie sat at the table, bumping heads with Thomas as they scoured the map of Waverly, Corsham, and the surrounding countryside. Small circles had been drawn to mark Bart and Eleanor's cottages. Their second map, which depicted the exterior grounds and internal rooms of Waverly, laid partially hidden beneath the first map.
Fitz, accustomed to small places and finding rest where he could, had found a spot in a far corner. He appeared to be sleeping, but AJ noticed an occasional twitch of his lips at some passing remark.
Finn gazed out the window. She'd had little time to speak with him on their trip back. With both her and Maire in better condition, and the interior of the coach updated with better padding, the stops had been infrequent and quick. In those small moments, Finn didn't want to talk, he wanted to hold her and share quick kisses before pushing her back into the coach.
Maire spent most of the ride sharing details of her time in London. She didn't speak of the fashion, hairstyles, or food. Maire imparted important details about etiquette. She discussed mingling with haughty strangers, how to monitor the room for anything out of place, and where to stand in order to scan the room without being cornered or drawing attention. She emphasized keeping open pathways for quick escapes and knowing where all the exits were.
AJ almost laughed. Everything Maire shared sounded like a larger version of the family dinners in Baywood she used to avoid. She would hover where she could make a mad dash out the door if needed. When she thought of her family, it felt like someone had placed a large stone on her chest, making it difficult to breathe. Those family dinners meant everything to her now. She had hoped, once the remodeling of the inn was complete, that she and Finn could host an occasional family gathering and give her mom a break. As each day passed, her future seemed farther and farther away.
She glanced at Finn and found him watching her. His sad expression seemed to mirror her thoughts, and a ghost of a smile touched his lips.
A powerful slam on the door brought conversation to a halt.
The sound wasn't exactly a pounding. More like someone had used a boot. The second hit against the door broke the silence.
The men pulled their weapons, and AJ reached for her dagger nestled within her pocket. When Finn nodded, Thorn opened the door then jumped back.
"Sorry I'm late." Beckworth sauntered in with two clay pitchers. "The lad downstairs thought it time for a refresh."
Thomas growled as he put his pistol away. "Was the grand entrance necessary?"
Beckworth just smiled, lifting the pitchers as if to say, "What else could I do?" before filling mugs.
"Why are you late?" Ethan asked.
"I've been doing a bit of reconnaissance. Fortunately, I don't see anyone that looks like Dugan's sort anywhere in the village, but you can never be too careful. Best you all stay tucked in here for the night."
Thorn, whose sword was still raised, edged closer to Beckworth. "And where will you be this evening?"
"Thorn." Finn's tone gave a clear signal to back off.
Thorn ignored him. "No. I think we have a right to know where our…partner"—the last coming out as a sneer—"is spending his time."
Finn
didn't push. They all wanted to know what Beckworth was up to.
"I have my own room down the hall." Beckworth passed by Thorn without bothering to refill his mug. He ignored Dodger, who stared daggers at him.
"And did you plan on sharing the room? It's a bit tight with these smaller rooms." Finn kept his tone even, his patience running thin by AJ's assessment.
"Well, I'm fairly particular about who I share a room with." Beckworth winked at AJ and Maire.
AJ rolled her eyes, and Maire glared, but Beckworth only chuckled when Ethan took a step closer to Maire.
"Maybe if we got back to business." Jamie jumped in to placate the group. He focused on Beckworth. "I understand your caution, but your message was a little vague."
Beckworth placed the jugs on an end table. "Quite right. Let's get to it then." He strutted to the maps and shouldered his way in until Thomas edged back.
"The situation at Waverly is worse than I thought. Reginald has replaced key staff positions with his own people. My butler, Barrington, has been reduced to a footman. It will probably do the old man some good taking orders from someone else for a while, and it does put him in a position to be most forthcoming with information. I have no doubt he wants his job as butler restored.
"Many of the housemaids are the same, but the housekeeper has also been replaced. The previous one has moved to another house in Devonshire. But Letty and June"—he turned to AJ and Maire—"your lady's maids while at Waverly, are still there and quite loyal to the two of you." He tapped his chin. "The cook is questionable, but she was never one to worry over politics and loyalty. The rest of the servants are too afraid to take a side. Our best bet is to rely on Barrington and the lady's maids unless we can confirm loyalty from the others. But as they say, too many cooks."
"Have you gained any information from them?" Finn asked.
"Enough to know that Reginald organized the ball rather quickly. Several of the larger estates haven't closed for the season yet, and word about the ball spread. Seems everyone is in a flutter to see if I've gone mad."
