Page 60 of To Heist and to Hold
“I trust Euphemia’s position has been secured,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her to conceal their shaking—and to prevent her from reaching for him.
His expression cleared.“Yes.She’ll be working as a footman this evening.”His lips quirked humorlessly.“She is quite the master of disguise.As was proven by her infiltration of the craftsmen, of course.But meeting with her tonight truly showed me what she is capable of.”
“Yes,” Heloise replied almost by rote, finding a strange comfort in the innocuous conversation, “her talent is unmatched.She is the person responsible for all our specialized garments, split skirts and trousers and corsets…”
“And places to conceal blades, no doubt,” he finished for her when her voice faltered.
She recalled that early-morning meeting at Hyde Park, when she had pulled a knife on his man Keely, and hercheeks warmed.“Yes, that, too.”But this conversation was veering into the personal, which made her feel as if she were in a listing ship on a ravaged sea.
“But we are here to discuss our plans for this evening,” she said firmly, determined to get them back on track—and her heart under control.
“Of course,” he murmured.
She nodded, the tilting ship finally righting some as they returned to the business at hand.“As discussed, at the conclusion of the boxing match, Euphemia will make her way to the gas valve and cut off the supply, dousing every lamp within Dionysus.If we have judged the villain right, the ensuing chaos will force him to reveal himself.”
He frowned.“And you are certain that will flush him out?”
“Certain?”she gave a small, sad laugh.“Nothing in this is certain, I’m afraid.We are counting on human nature.If it’s as we suspect, the villain is using the anonymity of the masquerades to cheat people.By flushing him out late in the evening, we have every belief he’ll have already made his move and stashed his ill-gotten winnings somewhere in the premises, and his anxiety over being found out in the ensuing chaos will force him to reveal his hand.That, or he will use the diversion to secure more.”
“But human nature is a capricious thing,” he murmured softly.“Is it not?”
Her heart twisted painfully.No doubt he thought her the most capricious of all.
But she was allowing her emotions to rule, which would only lead to disaster this evening.She had to keep herself under tight control until the bitter end.
“It will be a gamble, yes,” she replied evenly enough.“But we don’t have the luxury—or time—to do it any otherway.As much as we may both wish it otherwise.”
He gave no response to that, but his gaze changed, that longing back in place.Once more she had the insane urge to take him in her arms and beg him that they begin again.Her feet inched forward against her will.It was only with incredible willpower that she managed to stop herself.
“You indicated in your correspondence with us that you have apprised your brother of what is to happen here this evening?”she said almost desperately, needing the change in subject.
He continued to look at her for a long moment.Finally, blessedly, he nodded once, breaking the spell.“Yes, Isaac is aware of everything.”
“And you trust him.”
“With my life.”
She knew it wasn’t a reprimand.Yet it only added to her guilt, knowing how he must have struggled with all of this.She dipped her head, her cheeks burning hot.“I’m sorry for questioning your judgment.It’s not what I intended.”
He was quiet, gaze unreadable.And then, voice tight, “My judgment is not infallible.You have every right to question it.”
Which must be a reference to the trust he had mistakenly placed in her.Tears blurred her vision, and she ducked her head lest he see.But there was no hiding her emotions when she said, “Ethan, I’m so sorry I deceived you.It was never my intent to hurt you in any way.”
“I know.”
Her gaze snapped back to his at the tenderness in his voice.“What?”she breathed.
The smile he gave her was painful to behold for the sadness that saturated it.“I know you felt you didn’t have a choice.I understand.”
Those simple, earnest words, spoken with such gentleness, were more painful than obscenities screamed at her.At least she would have felt she deserved that.But she did not deserve this kindness and understanding from him, not even a bit.And she knew, in that moment, she could not do this to him.
“I’m sorry, Ethan,” she managed through a throat tight with unshed tears.“I’m so sorry it’s come to this.I’ll put a stop to it.Let me go tell the others.”
She took a step toward the door, needing to escape this, to escape him, to find any other way but this.
His soft voice, however, stopped her more surely than if he had physically blocked her path.
“No, you won’t,” he said.“This is happening.”
