Chapter 6

6

T his was odd. Albright caught himself staring at Felicity and tore his gaze away.

Odd and…good.

This was odd because it was good.

He was actually enjoying himself with Felicity and that…was bad.

Wasn’t it?

He scrubbed a hand over his jaw as Carver and Meg joined them, all smiles and laughter just like Felicity. But his own levity began to fade as he realized he’d all but made a scene earlier. And he’d certainly made it clear to Everson that he didn’t like the man.

Oh yes, the more time passed, the more Albright began to look upon his own behavior this evening in horror. He’d…forgotten himself.

He’d forgotten his mission. And that was very, very bad.

“So?” Felicity’s breath was warm against his cheek as she went up on her toes to speak quietly in his ear when the others were distracted.

He swallowed hard when he looked down to see her smiling up at him, her eyes alight with eagerness.

“Will you tell me now?”

She’d asked every time they’d had a moment of relative privacy.

“No.” He said it instantly and not without a smile. Her asking, his refusals…

It had turned into a sort of game between them. The whole night had started to feel this way. He kept finding himself laughing or falling into conversations that were as ridiculous as they were entertaining.

This time, Felicity gave him a good natured shrug and switched the topic. “But if I were to become a pirate,” Felicity said, picking up a former conversation where she’d left off.

“Are we still on about pirates?” he asked. But he couldn’t hide his amusement.

Her choice of conversation topics was nothing short of ridiculous. But he couldn’t recall the last time he’d had so much fun.

The young lady was the very worst sort of distraction. He had an investigation to pursue, not to mention a life to lead, and friends to meet. And yet he couldn’t bring himself to walk away from the peculiar girl beside him.

He told himself he stayed at her side solely because he was trying to keep her out of trouble. Who knew what harm she could find if left to her own devices?

The thought was sobering and made him feel slightly more at ease as he remained at her side. It wasn’t until she departed the gathering that Albright realized Everson had left too.

And he hadn’t even noticed.

He thrust a hand through his hair and cursed under his breath. How in blazes had he let himself be so distracted?

“You alright there, old chap?” Rodrick called over to him.

He nodded to his friend, and then realized that his friends were very nearly the only ones left. “Would you mind a word when the other guests have departed?”

“Of course.” Rodrick frowned. “Is something the matter?”

“I’ll explain later. But could you tell the others I’d like a word?”

It seemed to take forever, but eventually the party ended and he had an opportunity to speak candidly with his friends. It was a conversation he should have had with them a while ago, but it took seeing Everson with Felicity to help him see that.

In short order he filled them in, starting with his cousin’s request and what Jane and Marlin had discovered, and ending with his suspicions regarding Everson.

Carver, Kal, and Rodrick stared at him in surprise when he was finished.

Marlin had left with his bride-to-be, and Albright couldn’t help but think it would be best if he spoke to Marlin separately. He’d taken the news of his brother’s suspected crimes in stride, but Everson had been a friend to him since his brother’s death, and finding out he was behind this sort of betrayal wouldn’t be easy. But for now…

“I knew I didn’t like that man,” Kal said.

He and Albright shared a small smile. Kal hadn’t liked him because Everson had set his sights on Ann, but his instincts had proven correct.

“And now he’s after Miss McGovern?” Rodrick said, his brow furrowed.

Albright tipped his head to the side as he considered this. “Yes. Although, I think it’s safe to say Felicity hasn’t exactly been discouraging him either.”

Carver chuckled. “So little Felicity has taken it upon herself to catch the thief herself, eh?”

Albright was torn between an answering laugh and a huff of annoyance. She wasn’t little. Well, she was as in stature. But personality? One could never call her little. And while he’d accepted that she’d thrust herself into this investigation, he still couldn’t find it amusing.

“That’s why I’m telling you all this,” he said. “I’d like to think I can handle it on my own. But now that Felicity is involved, I wanted to make you all aware of the danger.”

“We’ll look out for her,” Carver said.

Kal’s expression was somber. “Of course we will.”

Rodrick was nodding. “We’ll make sure Felicity is safe…and whatever else you ask of us.”

Something loosened a bit in Alrbight’s chest. He still didn’t enjoy the thought of Felicity at risk, but he was somewhat reassured knowing his friends would be looking after her as well.

“You know, much as I dislike the notion of involving a young lady,” Kal started. “And particularly Ann’s dear friend…”

Carver was already nodding. “If she insists on being involved, she really could be an asst, you know.”

Albright’s chest grew tight all over again. He knew this. But he could not allow it.

“We’d all be keeping an eye on her, of course,” Rodrick was quick to add. “But if she could gain his confidence…”

Kal winced. “If he really is desperate for money then Felicity does make a good decoy.”

Albright had been fighting a headache all night, and now his temples began to throb.

He understood their reasoning. And hers, for that matter. If he truly wished to bring this investigation to an end, he’d take her up on her offer. He’d use her and her fortune to lure him in.

But the very idea was so off putting it made him feel ill.

All he could picture was Felicity in danger. And just as vile, Felicity flirting with Everson, letting him see her smiles and hear her laughter.

“I don’t like it,” he said. “There must be another way. But for now she has agreed to help me in her own way.” He told them of Everson’s business proposal to her uncle, and how she’d managed to find out where he was conducting his business. Apparently he’d purchased a warehouse down by the docks. He’d offered to give her great uncle a tour.

Though whether this was part of his scheme to look legitimate remained to be seen.

Carver whistled low. “Don’t let the Home Office find out about Felicity; she may just be their latest recruit.”

Albright smiled at the jest, but his heart slammed in his chest.

He needed to find her alone to speak to her, and while he was at it, perhaps he could finally make her see reason.

His mind filled with the image of her gleaming eyes and bright smile when she spoke of running away to become a pirate. She was only teasing, of course.

He hoped.

His lips twitched. And the sound that escaped could have been a laugh or a grunt of exasperation…

Or perhaps it was a little of both.