Page 65 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
He barely breathed, waiting for more.
The silence stretched.
Father tapped the chair arm. “Carvelle’s smuggling stretched all the way to the Yorkshire coast and was damned clever. His operation leaned to a bit of piracy, theft of military supplies, and anything else that would bring in a shilling. He knew the state of the coastal patrols and the schedule of shipments. He’d happily steal from one army and sell to the other. He had a contact—perhaps more than one—in the government who we could not uncover, try though we might.”
Charley sat up. “Lord Kingsley?”
Shaldon gazed into the empty fireplace. “We don’t know. The wars of independence have taken their toll on Spanish shipping. Their ships were always a target, but now…piracy is proving to be very lucrative there. We’ve had men there reporting.” His mouth firmed. “There is something else. One of our men in that part of the world has not made contact in a very long time.”
“Was he sailing with Captain Kingsley?”
Father’s fingers curled around the chair arms. “Perhaps.”
I know your father. He is a brave and stalwart man.Notknew. Notwas.
“Captain Llewellyn reported Captain Kingsley’s demise off Tortuga,” Charley said.
“Yes.”
“Lord Kingsley was pockets to let, and now he’s helping himself quite freely to Gracie’s money.” If Kingsley was engaged with Carvelle’s smuggling, he should be just as wealthy. Unless both men had experienced a loss. No reputable insurer would guarantee a smuggling cargo.
And just where did Llewellyn fit in?
“Llewellyn is in town,” Charley said.
“At Kirkham’s Hotel.”
Only a few doors away from Mivart’s where the Duquesa was staying. Charley stood. “If you will excuse me, Father.”
“Take one of your brothers with you.” Shaldon struggled to his feet. “Meanwhile, I shall look in on our nursery guest.”
Charley spent wastedmoments as the dutiful son looking for Bink and Bakeley. One had gone off for a parliamentary meeting—Bink took his position most seriously. Bakeley had slipped away with his wife.
Charley had been sent to pound on their bedchamber door once. It was not something he would do again.
Consequently, a great deal of time had passed by the time he’d armed himself and reached the stables. Too much time. If Gracie had learned he’d been talking to Father, she’d expect a report on their chat. If she sought him and learned he’d gone out to speak to Llewellyn...
He must hurry. It was no betrayal of her. He would question Llewellyn. He would assess the man and his words and decide how to proceed.
In the stable, a groom went off for his horse, and a figure slipped out of the shadows.
His hand gripped the hilt of his knife and then his breath caught on a groan. “You are not coming with me.”
“You are not going without me.” Gracie’s ungloved hands outlined the small waist under her coats. This set of clothing was cleaner, and newer, and fitted better than Roddy’s.
“How did you...Never mind.” How she’d found out didn’t matter. Neither did thewhoof who told her.
“I like your father.”
She moved closer, her chest heaving against the tight coats.
He yanked her cap lower over her ears and hailed the groom. “Change of plans,” he said. “I’m taking the carriage.”
Charley satopposite her on the ride to the hotel. In truth, they might have walked the distance there and back in the time it had taken to harness the horses, assemble the guards, and make their way through the late afternoon traffic.
“Do not worry,” she said. “I have brought my dagger.”
“Have you indeed.” He let his gaze trail over her person and watched as a pink blush flowed over her.
