Page 127 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
Neither did he, but she was more likely to listen to his father’s reasoning, stubborn woman. “Why not, Father?”
Father’s eyes remained open but still managed to shut down. “I like to know what my people are going into. And Graciela is not trained. I would not put her in danger.”
His bride’s eyes hardened, her color rising, a retort on the tip of her tongue. She was no stranger to danger, but he would not tell his Father that. Those were her secrets to share.
“The Talbot,” Kincaid mused. “Right next to Guys Mad House and the George. The White Hart is right there also on Borough High Street, with the stink of the Anchor Brewery drifting over it all.” He rubbed his chin. “I do know a man there at the Talbot. We’ve done some business there.”
“Thieves and swindlers,” Farnsworth said. “We couldn’t be sure they would hold their tongues.”
Charley squeezed her hand. “Why not send Roddy in again, dressed as Gracie?”
“No,” she said.
He turned her to face him. “I could not bear to see you hurt.”
“I don’t believe he means to hurt me. I want to know what he is up to.”
“Gracie—”
“This isn’t a prison. You promised me.”
“Gracie—”
“You could help me, Charley. You could pose as the coachman. With you and Juan I will be safe.”
“Is he expecting the servants and the child?” Kincaid asked.
“Yes. But we will not bring Reina,” she said. “I will not endanger her.”
“We’d like him to talk.” Farnsworth rubbed his chin. “The child’s absence will make him suspicious, and more dangerous. But the maid’s presence—thereissafety in numbers.”
Charley’s eyes lit on the large box, an idea niggling at him. He reached around her and tugged it closer. “Gracie, look what I have here.”
She frowned. “A gift?”
He pulled the string binding it. “It’s a gift for Reina, but you must approve it first.”
She sighed and lifted the lid.
The doll he’d caught sight of two days before stared up at them, its rich brown hair tightly curled, its lips in a pout. It was too large, too brown-haired, too plainly dressed to fly off the shop’s shelf. It had still been there when he’d returned.
“Reina will love it.”
“Yes. But I was wondering, when was the last time Captain Llewellyn saw her?”
Her eyes widened. “If he even looked at her, she was not much more than an infant.” She smiled. “You will help me then?”
“Help you? We’ll do this together.”
