girl, Elise had been a bitter disappointment for him.
Prin had been raised among the other slaves, but she’d done her best to protect Elise from their father’s drunken rages. An airtight bond of love had been forged between the two girls. Now their situations were reversed. Elise protected Prin. As long as she did what Zechariah dictated, she’d be given ownership of Prin once the war ended. From there, Elise planned to use the funds she collected from spying to create a new life for them both somewhere free from the hated chains of slavery.
“You can’t be too careful round a man like that,” Prin warned. “He walks like he owns the whole earth.”
“True,” Elise whispered. “He’s arrogant, but not meanly so, I think. I suppose it comes naturally to him. Men like him seem to acquire that particular trait at birth.”
Elise glanced back over her shoulder. Amberly had traversed half the lawn, but remained too far away to hear their conversation. She watched him, disliking the way her heart fluttered in anticipation of his arrival. He carried himself like a nobleman, as though he were well aware of and comfortable with his position in life. With purpose and a complete disregard for others’ opinions of him.
“Jus’ be careful,” Prin warned.
“You know I will be.” Her sister never ceased to play the part of mother hen. “You should go before he gets here. Tell Zechariah you delivered his message and I’ve learned no news as yet. I’ll meet with him after I’ve had a chance to speak with Amberly.”
“That old dragon wants a miracle,” Prin reminded her, speaking of Zechariah. “Your past work has spoiled him. You’re usually so quick to give him the information he wants, he thinks you can read minds and don’t need to talk or listen none.”
“Well, then, he’s deceived. I—”
“My, that man looks dangerous,” her sister interrupted.
Elise frowned and continued to focus on the river. “Prin, please go back to the house and deliver my message. Then wait in our room, all right? I want you safe. You know how the soldiers like to make free with their hands.”
“Maybe I’ll just hide over there in the bushes. When you get ready to head back to the house, I’ll go up with you.”
“No. What if Amberly sees you? There’s enough lantern light to expose you, and how would I explain your presence in the shrubs?”
“I’m your chaperone?”
Elise shook her head at her sister’s persistence. “I don’t need one with all the other guests strolling about.”
“Fine,” Prin grouched. “I’m going. Just remember the trick I taught you. A knee to—”
“‘If he tries to touch what he shouldn’t.’ Yes, I know. Now go,” she whispered.
A snapping twig announced Amberly’s arrival. Elise spun to face him just as he joined her. He offered her one of the crystal glasses he held. “Miss Cooper, the drink you requested.”
Smiling brightly, she accepted the glass. Her fingertips brushed his, and a pleasant sensation danced up her arm. Surprised by the contact, she forgot the clever quip she’d devised to begin the conversation and gain the upper hand.
She took a sip of fruity punch while gathering her wits. Amberly’s intense gaze flustered her, making it difficult to concentrate when questioning him should have been foremost in her mind. Forcing her thoughts to regroup, she flashed him a flirtatious grin, and slipped back into her least favorite role. “Why, thank you, Mr. Amberly. I do believe you’ve saved me from disgracing myself in a faint. I’m as parched as a hot summer day.”
“My pleasure, Miss Cooper. I’m pleased to be of service.” He peered into the darkness behind her. “You seem to be alone, but I thought I saw you speaking with someone. I trust I didn’t interrupt?”
“No. My maid brought a message from Mr. Sayer. I sent her back to the house.”
Drake’s brow furrowed. “I spoke with him moments ago. He warned me off you.”
Perplexed that Zechariah would do such a thing, she lowered her lashes to hide her confusion. “He did?”
Drake stepped closer, dried leaves crunching beneath his boots. His dark presence engulfed her, made her feel tiny. Nervous excitement shimmied in her belly. She had to crane her neck to look into his eyes.
“It’s obvious he’s smitten with you, but I hope you don’t feel the same way about him.”
Realization dawned. Christian must have been the one to warn him off. The tension tightening her muscles suddenly released. Laughter bubbled to her lips. “Christian isn’t smitten—”
“He is. I’ve no doubt.” He paused. “But, I fear I’m more so.”
Elise’s heart beat out of control. She flipped open her fan and fluttered it rapidly, hoping to cool the blush that warmed her cheeks. “You must be jesting. We’ve just met. Perhaps you were out to sea too long, and the sun has addled your brain?”
He grinned. “No, I simply know beauty when I see it.”
His comment sent a gush of relief through her. Her nervousness receded, though her disappointment increased. He was just another shallow man interested in a woman’s outward appearance. She’d dealt with such nonsense before.
She dropped her fan, letting it dangle from the silk cord about her wrist, and batted her lashes. “Thank you, Mr. Amberly. I feared with all the other lovely ladies here tonight, I’d be the least noticed among them.”
“You needn’t have worried, sweet. You outshine all the other ladies of my acquaintance—here and in England.”
Determined not to be taken in by his flattery, she took another sip of punch. “You’re a prince to say so, sir.”
“I’m not a prince, Miss Cooper.” His white teeth flashed in a grin. “Perhaps something slightly less grand. Perhaps a duke?”
She knew he jested, but something in his words suggested a double meaning, one she had yet to grasp. Another couple walked close by, admiring the river. She nodded to them as they passed but didn’t speak until they were out of earshot. “Hardly, sir. It’s just an expression. You needn’t worry I’d mistake you for a genuine member of royalty. You’ve not the bearing for it.”
His smile faltered imperceptibly. One dark brow rose in question. “Is that so? How many royals have you known?”
“Few to none,” she admitted, glancing out over the river where moon and lantern light shimmered on the calm surface. “Although, I did have the pleasure of meeting Lord Cornwallis and his entourage at a ball I attended last summer.”
Amberly gave no reaction when she expected him to be impressed by the announcement. Whenever she mentioned the general’s name, most English men and women expressed a keen interest in the details of the man leading Britain’s southern campaign.
She changed the subject, searching for a topic that would encourage him to speak of himself. “Still, I suppose no ball competes with plying the open sea. I envy you, Mr. Amberly.
