Chapter Five

L ady Catherine watched as Titan led her suitors off to their first challenge, thrilled to know the name of the man who had captured her heart weeks ago—the same ruggedly handsome man who rescued her the night of the ball… The same auburn-haired man who would compete in one of Mrs. Dove-Lyon's challenges for her hand.

Every time she saw him, her heart beat faster, butterflies fluttered in her belly, and chills broke out all over her body. With the help of her dearest friend Eglantine Merriweather Cameron, she now knew his name: Lieutenant Lord Alec Quinton. She vaguely recalled her aunt sharing the news that some earl or other had died recently, and his brother had assumed the title. Kit had listened patiently, but as she was not after a title, as some of the other young women during the Season had been, it had gone in one ear and out the other. Apparently the younger brother in question was the same man her heart longed for, her rescuer—the newly minted Earl Stansbury, who would compete for the right to offer for her hand.

She frowned at the light-haired gentleman who strutted behind Mrs. Dove-Lyon's head wolf. His posture denoted him as a member of the ton , but something about him made her skin crawl. The black-haired man remained behind in the main gambling room, leaving her to wonder if he was someone to be wary of. Her eyes lingered on the man bringing up the rear—Lord Quinton. She noticed a slight limp and wondered if she had missed it the night of the ball, or if it was due to a recent injury. It would not matter to her. If she had to wed, and wed quickly, she would rather marry someone who showed her care and concern than a puffed-up, self-important buffoon.

She silently repeated Alec's name twice more, crossing her fingers, hoping it was true that the third time she said his name would guarantee he would arise the victor.

A shiver of awareness caught her off guard as she noted the width of his shoulders. She'd already seen him sans frockcoat. There was no mistaking that the earl did not require Mr. Weston to add buckram padding to the shoulders of his coat.

The soft voices approaching had her watching the two women who entered the gallery. With a nod, she retraced her steps through the doorway to the ladies' gaming room, and beyond to the spiral staircase. Treading lightly, she descended. It wouldn't do to have one of the wolves catch her in the main gambling room again. Kit needed to stay on Mrs. Dove-Lyon's good side.

She could not say why a feeling of dread swept up from her toes, but knew she had to find out where her potential suitors were headed and what challenge they were facing. Walking slowly so that her footsteps made little to no sound, she slipped into and out of the gambling room into the hallway leading to the rear entrance.

"Here now, miss. You ought not to be here." The wolf stationed at the rear door rose to his feet. "Is something wrong?"

She met his frown with one of her own. "I watched three men leaving the gambling floor and wanted to know where they were headed."

A loud clunk coming from the alley had her placing a hand to her heart. "What in the world was that?"

"Now, then, miss. You know you aren't supposed to leave the observation gallery without permission. Refreshments were just sent up."

Loud voices coming from outside had her scooting around the wolf, who surprised her by moving quickly to block her. "I cannot let you leave, your ladyship."

So he knew who she was. Hmmm… There had to be a way to find out what was happening in the alley. She had a bad feeling about whatever it was. It was quiet for long enough for her worry to abate. "You are absolutely right, Mr.—"

"Snug's the name."

She smiled. "Mr. Snug. I should not have left the gallery, but you see, this is my last chance. If Mrs. Dove-Lyon cannot find a husband for me…" She trailed off at the realization that time had indeed almost run out.

"What will happen, your ladyship?"

"I shall lose everything… My mum—" Tears welled, and one snuck past her guard. She blinked the others away, met the intensity of his gaze, and told him the truth: "If I do not marry in two days' time, I will lose my inheritance and will not be able to pay for the physician's care Mum desperately needs." She clenched her hands into fists at the injustice of it all.

"I wouldn't worry overmuch about what is happening in the alley," Snug said. "Titan and I have a wager going as to who will win this challenge. It may surprise you."

She swallowed against the tightness of her throat. "I sincerely hope not. You see—"

"Allow me to escort you back to the staircase. Stay close to my left, and no one will notice you walking alongside of me."

Kit did as he bade her, and was about to thank the man when the rear door opened with a bang, echoing in the hallway.

"Stay here!" Snug tucked her into an alcove at the base of the spiral stairs. "What in the bloody hell goes on here?" he demanded.

A loud commotion sounded from the other end of the gambling floor, giving Kit the courage to edge closer to the doorway to see who just entered through the back door.

"No blasted chit is worth my time or my neck scaling the side of the building with a grappling hook!" a man grumbled. "Has the Black Widow lost her mind?"

Kit didn't need to see who was speaking. She had committed Alec's baritone to memory the night of the ball. She did not, however, appreciate being labeled a chit, and took umbrage when the man said she wasn't worth his time. Slipping closer to the corner of the alcove, she waited until the light-haired man stomped past the entry to the stairs.

A few moments later, Snug was back.

"Who was that man?"

Snug shrugged. "No one of consequence, no matter how high an opinion of himself he has."

"Does this mean there are only two gentlemen vying for my hand?"

Shouts coming from the alley lodged her heart firmly in her throat. When she tried to push past the wolf, he blocked her way a second time. "I cannot let you break Mrs. Dove-Lyon's rules, and I cannot tell you what the challenge is. I can tell you the two men left are worthy of meeting it, though only one will rise the victor. Do not let their courage and determination be for naught, your ladyship."

"Courage?"

"Aye."

Loud cheers erupting from outside signaled that the challenge had been met and either the black-haired man had won…or Alec. Lord, please let it be Alec!

"Up you go now, your ladyship. Before anyone sees you."

She lifted to her toes and brushed a kiss to his scruffy cheek. "Thank you, Mr. Snug. I shall never forget your kindness."

He nodded toward the stairs. She lifted her skirts and dashed up them.

Snug glanced over his shoulder to ensure that Lady Catherine was halfway up the staircase before striding toward his station by the back entrance to Lyon's Gate Manor. It was rare that any of the young women using the services of Mrs. Dove-Lyon tugged at his heartstrings, but for some reason, Lady Catherine pulled at his. Her story was not unlike hundreds of other young women who for one reason or another sought the matchmaking assistance of the Black Widow of Whitehall. Mayhap it was her stubbornness that appealed to him, and her worry for the man he'd heard she had met at the night of the masque . Poor lass did not know of Quinton's fear of heights or, Snug would wager, the earldom he recently inherited. The former seaman had a feeling that even if she did know, it wouldn't matter one whit to her.

The door opened, and he shook his head at the sight of Viscount Moreland with his arm around a wobbly Quinton, keeping the man from falling on his face. "Did he hit his head, your lordship?"

Moreland chucked. "Captain's fine, Snug. We've both served in the king's navy, and if we had a choice, we would be aboard ship right now sailing for the open water."

"Truer words," Snug agreed. "Lieutenant Sampson arrived a quarter of an hour ago—he's in with Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Would you like me to take over for you?"

The viscount shook his head. "It would be best if I did not meddle too deeply into Bessie's affairs. I have already stuck my nose into it with this one. It might not go over well if I were to man the rear door in your stead."

"I'll have you know that I prefer to be addressed as Lieutenant Lord This One, or even Earl This One." When the other men laughed, Quinton felt his wobbly legs stiffening…finally. "As long as I live, I will never—"

"Best watch what you say," Moreland warned. "You may be tested again someday and will have to face an insurmountable height that you must scale."

Quinton shook his head. "Right now, I'd settle for walking under my own power to Mrs. Dove-Lyon's private office."

"Done." Moreland eased his arm from around him.

Pleased that the viscount had readily agreed, Quinton took one step, wobbled, and fell on his arse. Snug and Moreland snorted, unable to hold back their laughter. When Snug offered his hand, the earl accepted it and let the wolf pull him to his feet.

"We cannot have the conquering hero sitting on his arse when Hudson stomps back this way," Snug said.

"Hudson is still here, even after he maligned Lady Catherine at the top of his lungs? Why hasn't he been kicked out?" Quinton asked.

"You know I am not at liberty to speak of certain things," the wolf reminded him. "By the way, your lordship, Lady Catherine's still here and anxious to meet you."

Quinton's heart picked up the beat. "Where is she?"

"You know I cannot say, but I can tell you the stubborn lass was determined to see what was happening in the alley. We could hear a bit of it in the hallway."

"I'm glad you stopped her, Snug. The rope sagged when I was hanging over the middle of the alley—not my best moment."

"She's got courage," Snug replied. "And would not have been put off by one small setback. You made it across, didn't you?"

"Aye, Snug," Moreland answered for him. "He did at that."

"Not without heaving up my guts after I'd made it to the other side. His lordship hauled me over the railing."

"I did not such thing," Moreland told him. "I merely placed my hand around your wrist to steady you after you grabbed hold of the railing. I could not let you lose your grip after your courageous feat!"

Quinton shook his head. "Now that we are here, do you mind if I speak to Lady Catherine for a few moments?"

Moreland grinned. "I don't."

Snug snorted. "If it wasn't against the rules, I would let you. But…" He trailed off, and Quinton had his answer.

"Would you take a message to her for me?"

The wolf nodded. "I will."

"Please tell her ladyship that I am looking forward to speaking with her again, and this time I won't be wearing a mask."

Moreland nodded. "Nicely put. That way she will know that it is you, and that you are at heart a gentleman."

"Aren't we all?" Quinton asked.

The viscount laughed. "Nay, thank God! My darling Gemma prefers living with the former captain of a ship of the first line."

"Even when you bellow?" Snug asked.

Moreland laughed louder. "Aye, Snug. Even then. I've changed my mind. I will risk Bessie's ire and stand in your stead by the rear entrance while you deliver the message to Lady Catherine. But hurry back."

Snug inclined his head and rushed up the stairs. When he returned, one of the other wolves was manning his post at the back entrance, and Moreland and Quinton were nowhere to be found. He'd have to wait until Titan came to relieve him to deliver the message from Lady Catherine to Quinton.