Page 35 of This Earl of Mine

If only it wasn’t so tempting to say yes.

“That aspect of our union is not something I require your help with,” she said.

He accepted her withdrawal with a good-naturedshrug. “All right, but if you ever change your mind, do let me know.”

Georgie decided it was time to steer the subject into safer territory. “Did you learn anything of import at Vauxhall?” The only thingshe’ddiscovered was how nice it felt to be in his arms, how quickly he could turn her blood to fire and her brain to mush.

She had to stop thinking about it.

“I did. My contact gave me a lead to a man who could be involved.” He glanced over at Simeon and Juliet, but neither of them was paying any attention. A bomb could have gone off, and they wouldn’t have noticed.

“And—?” Georgie prompted. “Who is it?”

He frowned at her. “I’m not sure I should tell you. Issues of national security, and all that.”

She shot him a pointed look. “You don’t think I can keep a secret, Mr. Wylde?”

“Good point, Mrs. Wylde,” he whispered.

“So who’s the lead?”

He sighed in defeat, as if sensing her determination. “A man named Barry O’Meara.”

“Never heard of him.”

“There’s no reason why you should have. He’s the Royal Navy surgeon Napoleon selected to remain on St. Helena with him as his personal physician. O’Meara recently returned to these shores, full of sympathy for the emperor’s cause, and has been lobbying intensely in favor of Bonaparte being freed.” Twin creases formed between his brows. “O’Meara will be familiar with the security arrangements on the island. If he thinks his petitioning is falling on deaf ears, he’d be in a perfect position to advise on a rescue mission instead.”

“He does sound a likely candidate. What do you plan to do?”

“Find evidence to support the theory that he’s plotting something.”

“How?”

“By searching his house.”

“Will you wait until he goes out?”

Wylde grinned at her persistence. “No, I plan to do it while he’s at home, with thirty or forty other people in attendance.” Georgie raised her brows incredulously and he chuckled. “O’Meara’s having a card party next Tuesday evening. There’ll be deep card play, plenty of drink, and lots of available women. I’ve managed to get myself invited.”

“The Westons’ ridotto is on Tuesday night too,” Georgie said. The Westons’ annual masked ball was usually her favorite event of the season; since every guest wore masks and dominos to conceal their identity, she could pretend she was somebody ordinary for a night. People actually flirted with her and spoke to her because they wanted to, not because she was a rich heiress to be envied or entrapped. She loved the thrill of anonymity. Even so, Wylde’s evening sounded far more exciting.

A sudden determination not to be left out seized her. “I have a suggestion.”

It was his turn to raise his brows. “I’m all ears.”

“I should come with you to O’Meara’s house,” she said firmly. “I can attend the Westons’ party, but slip away to O’Meara’s to help you, and be back before my mother even notices I’m missing.”

“And why would I let you to do that?”

She gave what she hoped was a winning smile. “It will be far easier for you to sneak around a house party with a woman in tow. Think about it. A lone man loitering around might be seen as suspicious, but nobody will bat an eyelid if a couple are seen disappearing off into the shadows.”

His eyes glinted wickedly. “And what do you know about disappearing into the shadows with gentlemen?”

She fought to contain her blush. “Nothing at all. But I’m sure if O’Meara’s guests are as disreputable as you suggest, they’ll think nothing of it. Especially considering your reputation as a rake.”

His smile made her blood heat. “You mean nobody will be shocked if we’re caught kissing on the billiard table?”

Georgie’s breath caught, but before she could remind him that there would be no kissing, or anything else for that matter, he said, “Actually, you make a good argument. O’Meara only lives a few streets away from the Westons. And you’ll be masked, so there’s no chance of you being recognized. It shouldn’t be too risky. All right, you can come.”

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