Page 140 of The Viscount's Seduction
“And what of the gunpowder?” Her voice shook.
“Was discovered and defused hours ago.”
She bolted up. “You knew? And you didn’t tell me?”
“I…I…” He bit his lip. “In truth, I’d all but forgotten. We learned of missing gunpowder yesterday, in the meeting at the Home Office. Father had everything well in hand. I didn’t want to worry you.”
She mumbled something and fell back again.
“Is the Prime Minister safe?” Jenny asked.
“He’s been at home reading reports all evening. The man in the ballroom is an actor. Well paid for this performance.”
Sirena’s eyes narrowed on him. “You didn’t tell me that, either.”
He swiped a hand through his hair. “No.” Guilt gnawed at him. “But you are safe, and you were spared the worry.”
She huffed out a breath. “Was I correct that the man holding Lady Arbrough—”
“Is your brother. Yes.”
“And Donegal?”
“I don’t know.”
A red flush spread over her. “Or you’re not wishing to tell me. You want tospare me the worry.”
“As of a few minutes before the ball, we didn’t have him, and we don’t know where he is. Word is he may be looking for a ship. We have men on the docks.”
She pushed herself up. “Well, and I thank you for sharing that bit of bad news.”
“And I regret it already. You’re going pale again.”
In fact, her cheeks had gone redder.
“We’ll find him, Sirena. Meanwhile, your brother is donning his dress clothes to make a grand appearance. We need to complete the last part of this spectacle.”
“The last part that you also forgot to tell me about?”
“Your brother is coming back to life tonight. Do you not want to be there?”
She extended her hand. “Help me up. Jenny, you must fix my hair.”
“I must change your gown also, my lady. You have a gash here at the side, but the blood is on the bodice. Did you cut him then?”
Bakeley fell to his knees and smoothed his hand over the long cut in the gown. “Dear God,” he muttered. Jenny was right, the speckles of blood were just under the neckline, and the ribbon she’d worn earlier was missing, revealing the bruise where Donegal’s hands had squeezed.
Skirts rustled nearby, and he looked up into Madame’s dark eyes. Barton had entered also.
“The corset worked,” Barton said.
“It is like armor,” Madam answered.
“Avoid bone. Slash up,” Sirena said in a shaky voice. She reached for him and he stood, gathering her up with him into his arms. “Oh, Bakeley. Never keep secrets from me again.”
His heart almost burst. “I should haul you off to bed right now,” he whispered.
She took a deep breath and shook her head. “If Jamie is making a grand appearance, I must be there.”
