Page 17 of A Game of Hazard

“It’s highly likely he’s the one who’s been sending anonymous notes, if he knows as much as you say. He meant to betray you by bringing me to the Boar Tavern, but your other associates must have got wind something was up and managed to warn you in time. Have there been other instances where you’ve avoided capture by the skin of your teeth?”

“Indeed. Mostly, it’s been the men or the goods put at risk. Not me.”

“He must be running out of patience. With you safely out of the way, he could take over the Dorset Circle. From what you’ve told me, it must be worth far more than the reward money.” Harewood’s jaw clenched. “I shall enjoy hanging the villain.”

Alex shuddered, and he pulled her closer. “Don’t be alarmed. You are not yet yourself—but I can do the thinking for both of us. We will untangle this web. And may yet both come out of it better off.”

There was a knocking on the chamber door, and before Alex could move from her incriminatingly intimate position, a pale-faced Mama appeared in the doorway. Right behind her was Lady Pandora Osbourne, triumph written all over her face.

CHAPTER 8

Giles promptly stood up, interposing himself between Alexandra and the intruders.

“What is the meaning of this? I asked not to be disturbed.”

Lady Osbourne was uncowed by the warning in his tone. “Exactly as I predicted! This match was meant to be. And if it does not take place, Mrs. Isaacs, the scandal will destroy both of you!”

How could a member of the nobility stoop so low? If her ladyship were a man, Giles would have called her out. He fought to restrain his fury.

“We’ve all had enough of your threats, Lady Osbourne. You and I are going to have a frank and honest discussion, and I’ll put an end to your tricks. I advise you to do nothing foolish. I can have a whole platoon of soldiers surrounding your house, and you’ll be dragged out on a charge of receiving illicit goods—what will your neighbors think of that?”

“Bravo!” Alexandra’s whisper thrilled him, and when her fingers closed around his hand, he found he was puffing his chest out like a turkey-cock. But they were not out of the woods yet. He had an uncomfortable feeling.

Lady Osbourne glared at him through her quizzing glass. “The girl’s mama will support me in this. Mrs. Isaacs cannot wish her daughter to be subjected to Society’s scrutiny—which is exactly what will happen if you don’t continue to court her and put it about that you are to be married.”

Given his reaction to the news of her death, and the great hole it had torn inside him, Giles had no intention of losing Alexandra—or thinking he’d lost her—again. Courtship was something he was prepared to consider now—but on his own terms. No one would dictate how he behaved with Alexandra.

“I would never force a young lady into marriage. And Miss Isaacs must make her own choice—I won’t have her pressured into anything.”

“Very noble, Captain.” Lady Osbourne narrowed her eyes. “But as I’m sure you now know, she’s the leader of an infamous gang of contrabanders. More than her reputation will be at stake when that comes out.”

He drew in a breath to calm his thudding heart. How good a liar was he? It wasn’t something he was used to doing. Deuce take it. He was an officer. He’d given commands on the battlefield—he was easily a match for Lady Osbourne.

“I regret that you’re mistaken there, Lady Osbourne. The guilty party is a certain George Prowse, as I’m sure your butler will inform you. I have a small consignment of men out even now, searching for him.” Well, he would have, as soon as he was able to send a message.

“All of which means,” he added, “that your ladyship will have no hold over me, either, as I will have found my prize and claimed the reward money.”

Alexandra squeezed his hand, but he released her. Inside he was exulting, but he was still facing off their greatest enemy and could bear no distraction.

“Now, if you have nothing better to do than go around casting aspersions and upsetting decent citizens, Lady Osbourne, I’ll escort you back to your lodgings.”

He mustn’t assume he’d won Alexandra over by standing up to their blackmailer. There was much work to do, and he had to use subtlety, not charge in like a Hussar.

“Madam,” he said, bowing to Mrs. Isaacs, “perhaps you would care to take your daughter to the coffee house, and when you’ve revived her, you might join Lady Osbourne and myself so we can clarify matters.”

He glanced down at Alexandra. Was that luminosity in her blue eyes a sign of admiration? He hoped it was. Her good opinion meant the world to him.

Turning his back on the two matrons, he took Alexandra’s hand and gazed at her for a long, luxurious moment. For the first time in his life, he recognized the gorgeous, golden glow of hope. He could be happy. More than happy—he could be ecstatic! But he’d have to play his cards right to make her come to him willingly.

Throat dry, he pressed his lips briefly against her hand and turned away, hoping she hadn’t noticed the trembling of his fingers. Bowing to an astonished Mrs. Isaacs, he offered Lady Osbourne his arm and escorted her out.

The lady showed no sign of being beaten or even out-of-sorts. She held her head high and looked as if she was honored to be walking down Great Pulteney Street in the company of a military officer.

But as soon as they were behind closed doors, in the library where they had sealed their bargain two short weeks ago, the façade was dropped.

“I don’t enjoy being made a fool of, Captain.”

“Neither do I, your ladyship. I respect your position, but I’m not afraid of you—I’m too lowly a fellow for you to do me much damage. But we’ll leave that aside for now. I don’t intend to seek my revenge, but trust me, if you say one word against Miss Alexandra Isaacs, I will destroy you. Do we understand one another?”