A deep rumble of assent rose on all sides.
'For the honor of Bury St. Edmunds, if nothing else,' some other helpful soul put in.
The innkeeper, who was now scrubbing out and rewriting names on his lists, threw them a distracted frown. That didn't please some of his more arrogant customers. 'Aside from the town's honor, what about this house's honor?' Directing a too-smooth smile her way, one rakish buck leaned on the counter. 'Surely, Hodges, old chap,' he drawled, 'you wouldn't want it known that you're the sort of innkeep who turns away helpless widows?'
Flick gritted her teeth and suppressed an impulse to deliver a swift kick to the buck's nearby shin; Hodges was now scowling.
Luckily, he was scowling at the buck. 'No need to take that tone, m'lord. I've found the lady a nice room-I hope I know my duty.'
He shut his ledger with a snap. Turning, he reached for a key hanging with a full score of others on a board behind the counter. To Flick's consternation, all the gentlemen around her leaned forward, squinting at the board to read the number of her room!
She had, she realized, just saddled herself with a large number of champions, some of whom might be entertaining notions of a reward.
But as the innkeeper turned with a key dangling in his hand, she was too relieved to worry.
'If you'll just come this way, ma'am?' He waved to the end of the counter, to where a wide staircase led upward. Then he turned to the waiting crowd. 'You gentlemen won't mind biding your time until I get the lady settled.'
It wasn't a question. Grinning behind her veil, Flick glided to the staircase. Hodges, despite being a resident of Bury St. Edmunds, was clearly up to snuff.
Gillies returned to her side to briefly murmur, 'I'll go find Bletchley.' Then he melted into the ever-increasing crush as the innkeeper joined her.
'This way, ma'am.'
Five minutes later, with a great deal of graciousness and enough care to make her feel slightly guilty, she was installed in the very best chamber the inn possessed. Hodges admitted as much when she exclaimed over the size of the room and the superior quality of the furniture.
With a gruff suggestion that she might prefer to have her dinner on a tray to avoid the crowd downstairs-a suggestion with which she readily agreed-he left her.
Flick blew out a breath, then returned to the door and threw the bolt. Crossing to the bed, she sank down upon it; extracting her pins, she pushed back her hood and veil.
And grinned triumphantly.
She'd done it! On the eve of a prizefight, she'd secured a room at the most prominent inn.
Now all she needed to do was find Bletchley-and follow him into his masters' presence.
Leaving Newmarket, Demon headed south, past the racecourse and his stable and on across the empty Heath. As he tickled his leader's ear, then sent the whip hissing back up its handle, the last glow in the west died. Night came slowly, approaching on silent wings, borne on the shadows that reached over the Heath to enfold the country in darkness. Before him lay his stud farm, with its comfortable parlor and one of Mrs. Shephard's excellent country dinners.
Between him and supreme comfort lay Hillgate End.
It was awfully late to pay a social call, but even before he'd formulated an excuse, he checked the bays and turned them up the manor's drive. Flick would be glad he was back early-she could tell him if anything had transpired in his absence. So could Gillies, of course, but he'd rather hear it from Flick. He'd only stay for a minute, just to assure himself all was well.
He brought the curricle to a scrunching halt in the gravel before the steps. A groom or stable lad-he couldn't see in the gloom-came loping across from the stable.
'I'll only be a few minutes,' he called as he strode up the steps. Just long enough to see Flick's smile-to see her anticipation of tomorrow come alive.
Jacobs opened the door to his knock.
'Good evening, Jacobs.' Crossing the threshold, he drew off his gloves. 'Is Miss Parteger about?'
'I'm afraid not, sir.' Jacobs closed the door and turned. 'She left this afternoon to visit with a friend. I believe she's expected back tomorrow.'
Demon managed to keep the frown from his face-he knew it showed in his eyes. 'A friend.'
'Miss Blackthorn, sir. She and Miss Parteger have been in the way of exchanging visits over the past years.'
'I… see.' The proposition that, with Bletchley on the Heath, Flick had abdicated her responsibilities-what she saw as her responsibilities-and had happily gone off to visit a friend, just like any other young lady, was simply too much to swallow. But Jacobs's easy expression declared that he knew no more; with a curt nod, Demon stepped to the door. 'Tell her I called when she returns.'
Jacobs hauled open the door. 'And the General?'
Demon hesitated. 'Don't bother him-I'll call and see him tomorrow.'
He went swiftly down the steps and strode to his curricle, every instinct he possessed flickering, every nerve jangling. Accepting the reins with a distracted nod, he stepped up to the box seat and sat. Raising his hands to give the bays the office, he glanced at the groom.
And froze.
He frowned. 'You're the coachman here, aren't you?'
The man bobbed his head. 'Aye, sir.' He jerked his head toward the stable. 'The lads have gone home, so there's just me and old Henderson.'
'But… if you're here, who's driving Miss Parteger?'
The man blinked. 'Why, your man, sir. Gillies.'
Light dawned-Demon didn't like what he saw. Jaw setting, he nodded to the coachman. 'I see. Thank you.'
He sprang the bays; when he reached the road, he set them flying.
Demon found no joy-no news-waiting for him at the farmhouse. Which, he reasoned, meant Gillies imagined they'd be back before the following evening. That didn't tell him where they were now-where they were spending this evening-and, more importantly, what they thought they were doing.
More specifically, what Flick thought she was doing-he doubted Gillies was behind this escapade. He had, however, given his henchman strict instructions not to let Flick out of his sight; it appeared Gillies was following those instructions to the letter.
Which was some small comfort.
After checking with the Shephards, who knew nothing, he paused only to consign the bays into the hands of his head stableman before swinging up to Ivan's back and riding out into the night. Both Hills and Cross lived in cottages north of the Heath-if he had to, he'd track them down, but first he'd check with Dillon.
If something had happened in his absence, it was possible that Flick had sought counsel with Dillon. Whatever had happened might even involve Dillon-
He glimpsed a faint light as he entered the clearing; it disappeared by the time he dismounted.
'It's me-Demon.'
The glow returned, guiding him through the derelict lean-to and into the cottage proper. Dillon was standing by the table, his hands on the lamp; he looked up, his expression open and eager.
Demon met his eyes. 'Where's Flick?'
Dillon grinned. 'She's off gallivanting after Bletchley.' Dropping into his chair, he waved to a stool. 'She's convinced, this time, that Bletchley's going to meet with the syndicate.'
Icy fingers clutched Demon's spine. Ignoring the stool, he halted by the table; blank-faced, he looked down at Dillon. 'And what do you think?'
Dillon opened his eyes wide. 'This time, she might be right.' He glanced up as Demon's gloves hit the table; his engaging grin flashed. 'A pity you weren't here, but Flick'll be there to see-'
