Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Knox wasn’t sure if throwing down such a thorough gauntlet would shut her down or wake her up. When her green eyes flashed with determination, he was glad to see it was the latter.
“Very well.” She lifted her chin and her lips pursed mutinously. “Good evening, Your Grace. I hope your efforts prove just as fruitful as mine undoubtedly shall.”
He had to chuckle, because not only had she called his bluff, she’d offered a challenge of her own. Luckily for Knox, he already had a plan in place when it came to adding additional information for the Lion’s Watch.
He withdrew the pocket watch from his vest and glanced at the hour. He still had some time before he was due to meet with his contact, so it would behoove him to move about the room and see what sort of snippets of conversation he might be able to intercept as well.
A flash of blue caused his attention to focus on the lady being escorted onto the ballroom floor.
As the musicians were tuning their instruments, he realized that they were preparing a waltz.
He muttered a curse under his breath. What the devil was Astara’s game?
If she made a misstep this early in the game, country cousin to a duke or not, she could easily be shunned by some of the ladies in polite society for her lack of social graces.
He clenched his fists and had to hold himself back to keep from dragging the foolhardy woman back to the edge of the room where he could give her a thorough tongue lashing.
Immediately, the image of her sprawled out naked on his bed in an intriguing position flashed through his head, but he quickly pushed it aside.
It would not do for him to harbor such lascivious thoughts of the lady when he was in danger of unraveling everything she might have otherwise laid a good foundation for.
He sighed. Perhaps it was for the best. Too much time spent in Miss Smith’s company was certainly drawing his attention away from more important matters that might work to turn the tide of the war.
Knox was about to turn away, intent on marking her off as a lost cause, when he happened to notice who she was standing up with.
I’ll be damned. He’d gone over a list of instructions on comportment with Miss Smith earlier that evening, as well as mentioning a couple names that were noted as people of interest when it came to possible French spies.
He hadn’t realized that she would work so quickly to snag one of them.
Viscount Midvale was a man who had done a lot of business with France before the war and, to Knox’s knowledge, had not ceased any operations during the four years since the conflict began in earnest.
As the music began and the viscount began to twirl his partner expertly across the floor, Knox was further stunned to see that Miss Smith did not make a single misstep.
She moved with all the elegance and grace of a practiced debutante who had endured years of instruction with a tutor.
He realized he was not well versed in what sort of things were taught at orphanages, but he did not think the waltz was part of the necessary curriculum.
In truth, there were many who believed the dance to be quite vulgar because of the close proximity between the couples.
It certainly did not afford much personal space as one of the more popular country dances.
“Your cousin is quite talented, Your Grace.”
Knox turned to face the speaker and muttered a curse beneath his breath.
He had not realized he was late for his meeting with the Marquess of Blackton until the gentleman sidled up next to him.
He was equally matched in height to Knox with similar dark coloring, but he preferred a neatly trimmed beard and sideburns, whereas Knox was clean shaven.
Another notable difference was that the marquess had been with the Lion’s Watch nearly since its conception.
He was a proud patriot who was just as determined as the rest of the loyalists to England and the Crown to defeat those detestable frogs.
“Blackton. Forgive my inattention this evening.”
“All is well since I know the reason for your reluctance to leave. I would be as well,” the marquess said with a tilt of his brow. “Lady Astrid is quite perfect.”
“Indeed.” Knox glanced once again at Astara before he forced himself to turn away completely. “Shall we retire to someplace a bit more private?”
Blackton inclined his head and together they left the crowded confines of the ballroom for a room much quieter to discuss intrigue.
It looked as though it was their host’s private study, but considering Blackton was well respected and good friends with most men in the upper echelon, very few doors were closed to them, even hallowed ones.
“Care for something to drink?” he asked. “Harold has some rather nice stock on hand.”
“Port,” Knox murmured. He didn’t want something too strong that might dull his common sense when it came to Miss Smith. He needed to have all of his wits at the ready for any eventuality where she was concerned.
The requested drink was brought over and they sat down across from the mantel.
A couple of cigars and they would appear as two gentlemen who were doing nothing more involved than a discussion of politics.
While their meeting would likely drift to that area for a time, it would be brief and toward the end of important topics at hand.
“Has there been anyone new to add to the list in your recent observations?” Blackton asked.
“I am sure Scarsdale mentioned Lord Montrose,” Knox noted.
“He did.”
“Other than Midvale, I can think of no one else who could still be engaging with the French on a business level that might have easily turned traitorous.”
“Hmm. Yes.” The marquess nodded as he sipped from his glass.
“I know I do not have to stress how much is at stake. Not only has the abolition of the Slave Trade Act created further chaos with French colonies but Napoleon is starting to spread his power over the continent. These are perilous times, which is why we need successes more than ever before.” He paused to breathe out a heavy sigh.
“I believe another battle is soon at hand as the emperor advances into Prussia.”
Knox stared into the dark liquid in his glass with a pensive thought. “If Russia is overtaken, it could be detrimental to the Fourth Coalition, leading to further French dominance in all of Europe. They could be rendered unstoppable.”
“We must prevent that from happening. At any cost.”
Knox did not have to ask what that meant.
More soldiers would likely lose their lives, more expense paid on a war that should have never become a serious threat, and a country that Knox had always known in threat of becoming changed—perhaps forever.
It was unfathomable to consider the ramifications if that were to come to pass.
“I will leave for Prussia right now. Just say the word.”
“Scarsdale has already done so. He left last night.”
Downing the rest of his drink, Knox almost wished that he’d asked for something stronger after all.
But not French brandy. He vowed to be done with anything to do with that vile country, determined to start enjoying a stout Scottish whisky.
“I would say I am surprised, but knowing Fletcher as I do, I am not.”
“I had not expected him to wait this long, actually. But now you know why I called this meeting. I am your acting superior while he is absent. I want any progress from Miss Smith sent directly to me.”
“Of course.”
Blackton downed his drink and set it to the side. “We should return to the assemblage to see how your cousin is faring.” He tilted his head to the side. “What are your considerations thus far? Do you think she has what it takes to make it in the Lion’s Watch?”
Knox took a moment to reply, choosing to weigh his words carefully. “I do think she has definite prospect, but whether or not she can keep a sensible head remains to be seen.”
* * *
A quick scan of the ballroom proved that her escort was nowhere to be found.
Granted, Astara could not effectively scan the crowd when their faces were mostly blurred from being swung about the floor but she was anxious to tell the duke that she had been fortunate enough to make contact with one of his suspects on her way to find the refreshment table.
In her limited experience by listening to various servants’ chatter within her hearing, that was where most of the gossip was discovered and then promptly discussed downstairs with the rest of the staff.
Luck interceded before that as a gentleman was practically shoved in her direction, causing him to apologize and offer to dance by way of an apology.
When she found out he was Viscount Midvale she had nearly crowed with her victory.
However, since nothing of import would likely be discussed during a single meeting, her goal was to be enchanting enough for a second interaction.
While he was a far cry from being as appealing as Hampton, he was handsome enough and he seemed as though he would be good company.
When he mentioned riding the next morning in the park, as was his usual habit, she gave a small pout.
“It is too bad that I do not have my mount with me in London. Reginald stayed behind in the country. I am certain he is happily munching on some hay while I am in abject misery in society, forced to endure my cousin’s overbearing presence in order to attract a husband.
” She rolled her eyes. “Why must I give up such a pleasant sport just to be married?”
He fell right into her trap. “It is quite reprehensible what any society lady must endure when it comes to good stock.” He sniffed, as if affronted on her behalf and that of every other woman in London.
“I would be honored if you would join me tomorrow. I will see that one of my most docile mares is prepared for your use.”