Audrey lifted her face to look at him. Her doubts and fears were clear. “I… suppose that’s possible.”
“Now drink this.” He offered her a tumbler of brandy. “It will calm you down while we wait.”
Taking the drink, Audrey set it on the table beside her and stood. Almost shyly she moved toward him, holding back a bit, then stepping forward. When she’d reached his side, she slipped her arms around him and held him close to her.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Griffin.”
His surprise gave way and he held her, breathing in the sweet, lilac scent of her hair and skin as her warm body pressed against him. Though he desired her at that moment, he wanted to take care of her more. He wanted to reassure her and be a beacon for her in her fear.
The sound of the door opening behind them made them both jump back and turn like thieves. Noah stood in the door. He looked tired and pale.
“Noah!” Audrey cried, running over to her brother’s side. “Please tell me what’s happening.”
Griffin frowned at his friend’s unreadable face and stepped closer in case Audrey fainted at any bad news. Noah took his sister’s shoulders in his hands to hold her steady.
“Jean isn’t dead. But he’s been badly hurt.”
“No!” Audrey cried. “May I see him?”
Noah shook his head. “I’m afraid that would be too dangerous. Golding has taken him to a secure location, but it’s probably being watched. I had to sneak in and out myself to avoid being observed. Apparently Jean was caught in a compromising position and Ellison has increased his guard tenfold.”
“But will Jean live?” Her bottom lip trembled.
Noah cupped her chin. “I… I’m not sure. You know I can’t lie to you. But he’s strong.”
She shook out of her brother’s embrace as she swiped at tears. “He saved our lives. And we can do nothing for him.”
“Except catch the villain responsible for his injuries,” Noah said.
“I’ll fetch Hannah,” Griffin murmured, desperate in his need to help in some way.
“Thank you,” Audrey murmured.
She watched him leave the room, knowing he wanted to help her, to do something to aid them in their mission. She loved him all the more for it.
“Listen to me,” her brother said as she sat down and gulped a sip of her drink. “We may not be able to get the list of Ellison’s associates after all. We may have to settle for Douglas alone.”
Audrey’s heart sank. “No!”
“I know what you’re feeling.” Noah ran a hand through his hair. “But Douglas suspects someone is watching him, aware of his tricks, now more than ever. It’s too risky to send in another agent to search the home. Golding feels it will be best for all of us to simply arrest the man and work on his associates later.”
Slamming her drink down, Audrey cried, “And let Jean have been shot in vain? And let all the scheming and risks we took have been for nothing?
Her brother took her drink and downed what remained in one sip. “What do you propose we do then?”
“Let me go in.”
Noah choked. “I must not have heard you correctly.”
She pursed her lips. “You heard me fine. Now that we’re engaged, I’ll have freer access in Ellison’s home. If I’m caught, I will be more able to explain my presence. Besides, I know exactly where the box is kept. It makes perfect sense to let me go. I can be in and out before he suspects a thing.”
“No.” Though her brother often joked and pretended not to take the assignments they were on with the seriousness they required, Audrey knew that tone. It was the one he used when he refused to bend. “What you are proposing is far too dangerous.”
Audrey shook her head as she steeled herself for the fight to come. “There isn’t any choice, Noah. If we’re on the verge of being discovered, then our time is short. All of this work and sacrifice can’t be for naught. We need to finish this case.
“Get away from Griffin, you mean?” Noah asked with a cock his head.
Rising, Audrey turned away from him. She hadn’t the strength to argue the point with her brother. Especially when he was right.
“I won’t allow it,” her brother said softly.
“You can’t stop me, Noah.” She pivoted to face him and met his eyes. “And if you won’t help me, I’ll do it myself.”
As she turned to leave the room, Noah caught her arm. “Audrey, please don’t let your need to run from your feelings cloud your judgment.”
“I won’t. You’re going to have to trust me on that.” She leveled her gaze on him, doubts replaced by determination. “I’ll fetch the box at the next opportunity.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The opportunity for Audrey to slip away and retrieve the box was almost impossible to find. Noah was right that Ellison had closed ranks and was busily building up his defenses against another attempt on his business. The next few days she hardly saw the man, let alone had the opportunity to search his home.
However, on this night, the last in the Jubilee Celebration, she had finally acquired a promise from Ellison that they would spend time together. It was the anniversary of Hanoverian Rule and that, coupled with the Reenactment of the Battle of the Nile in St. James Park, meant London was buzzing with anticipation and excitement.
Audrey put down her brush and turned from her dressing table to look at Hannah. Her “maid” lay on the bed, twirling a ribbon round and round in her hand.
“Will you help me with the back of this gown?”
Audrey stood to motion to the elaborate dress she wore. The bodice was high, fastened in front with a deep purple ribbon. The dress itself was a paler violet with delicate brocading along the skirt. The buttons in the back were tiny and Audrey never could have reached them by herself.
Hannah stood and walked over to her slowly. Without a word, she turned her friend and slid each button into the buttonhole. Audrey felt like she’d been waiting for ages when Hannah finally said she was finished.
“Tell me what it is,” Audrey said with a sigh.
Hannah went back to her seat on the bed, but not before throwing her friend a withering stare. “What what is?”
“Why you’re acting so strangely. I know you aren’t really a maid, but you’ve always helped me get ready. Today you’ve avoided me and when you do help you take forever!” Audrey shook her head. “Have I done something to offend you?”
“No.” Hannah arched one well-defined eyebrow. “Unless you count excluding me from whatever plan is in your head.”
Audrey drew back. She hadn’t known she was so obvious to her friend.
“I don’t expect you to help me. Noah doesn’t approve of my going on my own, and I’m sure Lord Golding would have an apoplexy if he knew. I haven’t said anything because I don’t want you to be put in an awkward position.”
Hannah laughed. “Like the one I’d be in if you suddenly disappeared?”
Audrey put a finger to her lips. “You won’t be blamed for that. Everyone knows how willful I can be.”
Her friend nodded with a grin before saying, “Well, out with it, my girl. What are
Audrey bit her lip, still uncertain if she wanted to bring Hannah into her plan. Finally she said, “Ellison and I are having a party in two days to officially announce our engagement, correct?”
“Yes.”
“I thought I’d go to his home this afternoon to oversee some arrangements. Once I have all his staff busily
