Page 11 of A Game of Hazard

“Why don’t you let him in and have it out with him—how bad could it be?”

“Mama—you didn’t see him when he scented his prey. The ferocity on his face! All his good manners abandoned him—he wants me so badly.” She flushed. “By which I mean that he wants whoever runs the Dorset Circle. I don’t know what to do.”

“You could give it up, you know. Why not sell the business to someone else? We’d probably have enough money to get by, and you’d be free to marry. With a good dowry behind you, you could get anyone, especially if you tried to make more of yourself. Then the money we spent on your education would not have been wasted.”

Alex chewed on her lip. Perhaps Mama was right, but how did one go about selling an illegal enterprise? Could one rent it out, like a building? Lord only knew what was happening with the Dorset Circle right now, with her unable to contact or direct it in any way. She was the one who had the ledgers and the maps, she was the one who knew when the boats were coming in, and she was the only one who had enough knowledge of arithmetic to recognize when the books did—or didn’t—balance.

Her second-in-command, George Prowse, must be in his element—the double-dealing scoundrel. What would he be doing right now? Watering all the liquor? Paying less to the suppliers and charging the customers more? Putting together enough evidence to betray her to the authorities and get her out of his hair for good? This impossible situation was tying her up in knots—she hadn’t slept or eaten properly in days. And all the time, the broad-shouldered captain with his implacable expression and his head full of suspicions was waiting to pounce.

If she were lucky, he’d continue thinking that she consorted with smugglers, not that she was one, and that the men’s clothes had been hidden beneath the bed as an expedient. Let Harewood think she’d had a lover’s tryst with the owner of the clothes—she didn’t care for his good opinion. She didn’t need it. What she needed was for him to be gone from her life.

She must write to Lady Osbourne and renege on their agreement. Lady Osbourne’s knowledge was less dangerous than Captain Harewood’s suspicions—he had the resources to expose everyone involved in the business. What was she supposed to do?

She peeked between the drapes again. Yes, still there. As though sensing her regard, Harewood gazed up, and his eyes met hers.

She was transfixed. Her heart rose into her throat, blocking her breathing. He held her gaze—then, as she remained mesmerized, he gave her a slow, predatory smile.

She tugged the curtains back into place and stepped away, spluttering indignantly.

“I’m going to send a note to Lady Osbourne. Maybe she can help.”

Mama, who had not been told about the agreement between Alex and Lady Osbourne— because she might have approved—frowned.

“I can’t imagine how. She has no power over a military man.”

Alex pursed her lips. “She has more power than you know.”

“But if the captain is on the lookout for smugglers, and he thinks they have a connection with us, he’ll just read your note.”

“Then I’ll have to word it so it won’t give anything away.”

Sitting at her writing desk, Alex penned a brief missive.

Lady Osbourne,

There is no longer any point to our agreement, and I wish to be released from it. You must excuse me—I have been very ill and am unable, therefore, to assist you.

Yours respectfully, Alexandra Isaacs.

The note was duly sent, and both she and her mother watched the captain stall their servant and scan the note before allowing the man on his way. The redcoat then had the audacity to glance up at their window and wave.

Mama narrowed her eyes at Alex. “He won’t believe you’re unwell if you spend all day making calf-eyes at him from the window.”

“I’m not making calf-eyes.” Alex huffed in annoyance. She would be happy if she never saw that ruggedly handsome countenance again. “Very well. I’m going to take off my gown and lie down for a while. Please send Letty in with some lavender water and rosemary to cast on the coals to make it more like a sickroom. Then, if Lady Osbourne chooses to visit, our story will be more credible.”

Lady Osbourne did not come to visit. Instead, she sent a note back, presumably one that had been opened and read by Harewood.

It read:

I never renege on an agreement. Nor do I release anyone from one. You must speak to Captain Giles Harewood and sort out your differences in person.

I’m certain your Mama would be glad to avoid any scandal or anything that might spoil her newly-acquired standing in Bath.

P. Osbourne

No one, it seemed, was on her side. Alex really was beginning to feel ill. If only Papa was still here! He would have devised some cunning plan. If he could outwit the authorities, then so could she. She sprang from her bed and shouted for her mother.

Mama bustled in, breathing fast. “Oh, my dear! Whatever is the matter?”