Page 38 of The Wallflower Ruse

“The day after tomorrow,” Pearce said. “Beltane Eve.”

Ah.

“It’s a masquerade and will be great fun.” Pearce gabbled on and on about the select company, the propriety ensured by the hostess, and so on.

Damn, damn, damn.

“No,” he said, when at last they shook him off, gathered up Lady Alice, and drove away.

“What do you mean, no?” Lucinda demanded. “I ruined my reputation, not to mention my safety, by playing piquet with Mr. Pearce to find out what he really wanted! We have to go!”

“You don’t. Davis and I shall.”

“Don’t be absurd,” Lucinda said. “He wants, no, needs me to come.”

“It’s too dangerous,” Restive said. “You did very well tonight, Miss Belair. It took courage to play piquet despite its unfortunate connotations. However—"

“I’m not an idiot,” she said. “I defended myself today.”

He huffed. “Yes, you and your little scissors did very well, but he wouldn’t have seriously assaulted you right there with a pack of tabbies watching. This is dangerous business. A masquerade, of all things! Anything can happen there, and assault and rape will be the least of your worries.”

“Oh, heavens,” Lady Alice said. “He’s right, dear. It will never do.”

“What could possibly be worse than rape?” Lucinda demanded, and then, “Oh.”

~ * ~

Her life might be in danger. That was what he meant. If treason were involved, or even sedition, the perpetrators might kill to protect themselves.

“I overheard a conversation tonight,” Restive said. “Actually, if it makes you feel any better, it was thanks to your presence that the two—who I believe are conspirators—managed to speak privately. Unfortunately, I didn’t see them, as they were behind a servants’ door, trying to avoid being overheard by Wharton. You distracted him nicely.”

“What does Wharton have to do with anything?” Lucinda said.

“He is also a government agent, and thanks to several blunders, is known as such by the enemy. His new role, which infuriates him, is merely to lead the plotters astray, whilst I work in secret. He considers me a rival for a position which he feels is rightly his. He must have had me followed here, suspecting that I know something he doesn’t.” He cursed. “My advantage is that I am not known as an agent, although that won’t last long if he keeps putting himself in my way.” Another curse.

Lady Alice tutted. “Such language, Algy!”

“Sorry, Auntie.” He frowned. “Hopefully, his inability to keep his hands to himself will make them think he came here to try his luck with you.”

“Well, I refuse to pretend anything but loathing for him,” Lucinda said. “Why did he want to arrest Mr. Davis at your estate?”

“He knows Davis is my contact with an agent in France. He seeks any pretense to arrest him because he wants that contact for himself.”

“But you’re working for the same cause!” Lucinda said.

“His only cause is himself,” Restive said. “I don’t claim to be a saint—I loathe this sort of work—but if I must do it, I’ll do it properly.” He paused. “Which means not putting you in danger.”

“What if Mr. Pearce needs me to be there for the plot to succeed?”

“We’ll provide a substitute. Dressed to pass for you in costume.”

“Mr. Davis?”

“I expect so. You’re a tallish girl, and he’s only a lad.”

“Yes, but our features are not at all alike.”

“A mask and some lip rouge should help. He’s good at disguises.”

“His voice isn’t at all like mine, either.”

“He’ll whisper a lot. Pretend he has a sore throat and lost his voice. I don’t know.” He sounded awfully grumpy.

“What about Lady Alice? Is she to risk her life as my substitute’s chaperone?”

“Definitely not! My aunt will fall ill at the last moment. Or she’ll refuse to permit you to attend, and you’ll make a secret assignation with Pearce, which Davis will keep. Or some combination of the two. In the meantime, you will continue to favor him. We have two days to decide.”

The we, obviously, did not include her.