Page 25 of The Gift of Patience
“We plan to coerce Devil into signalling tomorrow. But of course, we cannot be certain they do not have a mayday signal that would send them all rushing right over.”
“I cannot think they would anticipate the situation,” Fielding said. “But of course, there are no guarantees.”
“I cannot like having the ladies here,” Dominic said. “Convincing Faith to leave will be another matter.”
“I need to go and report our findings to the colonel, but perhaps if a deal could be made with Devil, then we might secure his cooperation.”
“Transportation versus hanging?” Westwood asked.
“We can see how much he values his neck.”
Patience found herself rubbing her own at the thought of a thick rope around it.
“Remember, there is no honour amongst thieves,” Westwood remarked. “However, if he betrays us, I will shoot him dead on the spot.”
“You will have to beat me to it,” Stuart said.
“Go inform your commander,” Westwood said. “It grows late.”
“I believe I will go visit the prisoner,” Fielding added. “We have limited time to gain his cooperation, and I intend to make the most of it.”
“Baines is still there. He is of a mind with you.” Dominic scoffed. “And to think the world sees all of you as window dressing.”
“We prefer it that way, Brother,” Stuart said, and Patience could hear an affectionate slap on the back. It made her wonder what else these men had done under the guise of secrecy. So they were some special secret unit! I knew it! Now she had to wait for them to leave. The last thing she needed was to be caught at this point.
Once she heard the front door close behind Stuart and Fielding, it was sometime before Westwood took himself back to bed. He was likely trying to decide what to do with all of the ladies in his life. Patience prayed that he did not force them to leave. This was too good to miss.
When she finally crawled into bed, Xander raised his head and then gave her an affectionate lick on her hand as she soothed him back to sleep. She was asleep herself almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Patience was awake early the next morning despite the late time she went to bed. Her mind was too full of the thrill of the chase. She dressed and took Xander down to the back lawns as had become their habit. Part of her was wondering if she would run into someone or if the men would be talking where she could hear. Had anything happened overnight? It galled her not to be able to even ask.
After playing with the puppy for a few minutes, she went inside to the breakfast room, hoping someone would be there, but it was empty. Likely, they were all trying to catch some sleep.
One of the footmen, James, came in. “Would you like any food, miss? His lordship sent word to delay a little.”
“Do not bother Cook, but if some coffee could be prepared, that would be lovely.”
“Yes, miss.”
Coffee was a guilty pleasure for Patience. She knew it was frowned upon by most ladies, but she would enjoy it when she could.
That was how Major Stuart found her, eyes closed, savouring the bold, smoky scent. Purists might argue at the amount of cream and sugar she added, but it was heaven in a cup to Patience.
“I will have what she’s having,” Major Stuart’s deeper than usual voice said, causing her eyes to pop open and her cheeks to flush with embarrassment.
“Do not stop on my account.” He waved at her drink, though he was looking at her strangely.
“I enjoy coffee,” she explained, feeling the need to defend herself. And, she’d thought herself alone.
Xander had gone over to him when he entered the room and he knelt down to pet the pup. “He has become your shadow.”
Patience smiled. “I am surprised to see you here. Were you not supposed to be going somewhere else last night?”
“Indeed.” He inclined his head. She could tell he was toying with what to say to her. He took a sip of the coffee James set before him. “It is very good.”
“Why did you return last night?” she prompted with a wave of her hand.
“I suppose you know too much already. We found the rest of the gang at the local tavern, and overheard them discussing their missing member.”
