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J uliana’s mind whirled from the note the street urchin delivered. She’d be foolish to go alone, but she couldn’t in good conscience ignore it. She needed an accomplice for what she had planned, and she supposed Nash was the most well-equipped for the position, if only she could get him alone.

Her opportunity arose shortly before supper, when she encountered him in the hallway, requesting his help before Drake had appeared.

Nash raised a dark eyebrow, and she whispered, “I’ll explain later.”

After supper, the family had gathered in the small drawing room and discussed the last few days’ events. Juliana shifted in her seat next to Honoria and—for what seemed like the hundredth time—slid a glance toward the clock.

At nine, Adalyn had excused herself to put Benjamin and Mena to bed, stating, as she seemed exceptionally tired as of late, she would follow them.

When the clock chimed half past nine, Juliana took a cue from Adalyn and feigned a yawn accompanied by an exaggerated stretch as Drake described some of the preparations for the king’s funeral.

“Am I boring you, Jules?” Drake grinned at her.

“Pardon me. But with the excitement of the ball last night, I didn’t sleep well.”

Lord Nash sputtered into his glass of brandy, then covered it with a cough. “Strong but good, Burwood.”

Juliana caught Nash’s eye and rose.

He laid the glass down on the table next to him. “However, I agree with your sister. Perhaps we should all retire early this evening. I think I’ll join my wife. May I escort you upstairs, Miss Merrick?”

Juliana gratefully accepted, praying he remembered and still meant to help.

Once they were ascending the stairs, Nash asked, “You seemed concerned about the time, Miss Merrick. I noticed you glancing at the clock all evening. Is the help you require from me time sensitive?”

“It is. I received an anonymous note signed ‘A friend,’ instructing me to come to the back entrance of The Knave of Hearts at quarter past ten tonight. The person implied Victor was either hiding something from me or lying about something. They said to come alone.”

“Ah. And you suspect a trap of some sort?”

“Possibly. But even if it’s not, I’m not fool enough to think a woman can go out at night behind a gaming hell unprotected.”

“You want me to accompany you?”

“Yes. No. Not exactly. They said to come alone, so it must at least appear no one is with me. Obviously, I couldn’t ask Drake, as he would forbid me to go. However . . .”

Nash held up his hand. “Say no more. Although I’m inclined to agree with your brother.

Even if I’m discreetly with you and stay out of sight, there’s no guarantee this person won’t harm you.

” His dark eyes studied her, probing for what, she couldn’t say.

“If I’m to agree to this hare-brained scheme, you must promise me to do exactly as I tell you.

No arguments. I owe a large debt to the duchess, and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to someone she loved on my watch. ”

She nodded, her crossed fingers hidden in the folds of her gown.

“Very well. Our biggest challenge will be sneaking out of this house unnoticed. It’s still early enough that most people won’t be abed, especially servants.

When we arrive at the meeting place, if I detect the slightest hint of danger, I will signal you with a low whistle, and you must promise to run as fast as you can toward me. Do I have your word?”

Juliana swallowed the lump clogging her throat. “Yes.”

“Very well.” Nash’s icy tone indicated he didn’t quite believe her, and she cursed herself for the poor liar she was. “That gown won’t do. Do you have something more sensible to change into? Nothing with lacey sleeves or ribbons to grab hold of, not so heavy of a fabric so you can run.”

“My summer riding habit.”

“Good. Change as quickly as you can. We don’t have much time. I’m going to create a diversion, then I’ll come get you.”

Giving a quick nod to Nash, Juliana slipped into her room.

She had mere minutes to transform into someone else entirely.

Someone bold enough to sneak out into the London night and brave whatever awaited behind The Knave of Hearts.

As she scrambled to locate her half-boots, she startled at the soft knock at her door.

Nash couldn’t expect her to be ready so soon. She hadn’t even removed her gown.

The door creaked open, and Miss Price poked her head in. “Why didn’t you ring for me, miss? Lord Nash came downstairs and mentioned you were ready to retire.”

What a dilemma. Although she could use assistance removing the elegant gown she had on for supper, Juliana could hardly request to change into her riding habit. “I have a terrible headache. I was just going to get out of this gown and corset and then climb into bed.”

Miss Price tsked and made quick work of removing Juliana’s gown and corset. When she pulled a soft cotton nightgown from the clothespress, Juliana shook her head.

“No need. I’m fine like this.” Juliana made a show of climbing into bed and slipping beneath the covers, sighing loudly.

“Well, I suppose your chemise is close enough to a nightgown.” Miss Price’s disapproving tone belied her words. “Will there be anything else?”

“No, thank you. And please let everyone know not to disturb me.”

The moment Miss Price left and the door clicked shut, Juliana bolted from the bed and retrieved her riding habit.

In addition to affording her the ability to ride astride, it was easy to put on without assistance.

She had just slid her foot into her remaining half-boot when another knock sounded.

That time, no one opened the door and peeked inside. She stilled, holding her breath.

“Miss Merrick?” Deep but quiet, Nash’s voice shook her from her paralysis.

Shoelace loose and dragging next to her, Juliana raced to the door and flung it open.

“Ready?” Assessing her, his gaze traveled down her body. “Good. Sensible. But you’ve forgotten something.” He knelt down and tied the remaining shoelace. “Can’t have you tripping and breaking your neck now.”

The tenderness of the action threw Juliana off guard. With a wife and children, was she asking too much of him? Putting him at unnecessary risk?

“What about Adalyn? Will she keep this secret?”

Nash gazed up with those dark eyes, and Juliana couldn’t think of a person more opposite in appearance to Victor.

Yet he was the man Adalyn chose, or perhaps who her heart chose, because Juliana believed she had little control over what her own heart wanted.

And at that moment, Juliana gave a little prayer of thanks, that the two men were so different.

“Adalyn is already in bed, and I expect her to sleep through the night. She won’t even know I’m gone.”

“How are we going to leave the house?”

Nash rose and towered over her. “Servants’ staircase.

When I spoke to Miss Price, I sent the rest of them on a merry chase to look for a pair of missing boots.

I can be rather harsh and demanding when I need to be.

Learned that from my father and brother.

However, I’m afraid I scared the poor scullery maid so badly, she might still be cowering in the corner of the kitchen. ”

“How long do we have? Did you find a good hiding place for the boots?”

His chuckle held a slightly devious tone. “The boots I described don’t exist. They should be searching for hours. Now, come.” He motioned for her to follow him toward the door leading down through the servants’ entrance at the end of the hallway.

After cracking open the door, Nash held out a hand, signaling her to wait as he walked partway down. For a big man, he moved stealthily, his feet barely making a sound against the wooden steps.

“It’s clear,” his whispered account drifted up, and, taking a deep breath, she stepped out and closed the door behind her.

When they reached the bottom, once again, Nash held up his hand, then put a finger to his lips.

She jolted when she heard his voice boom. “What are you still doing here? Why aren’t you looking for my boots?!”

A quivering girl’s voice answered. “I’m sorry, milord. I—I—I’ll go right now.”

In front of Juliana, Nash’s body filled the entry of the staircase, preventing the terrified servant from rushing up past him. A few seconds later, he motioned Juliana forward and into the kitchen.

Juliana scanned the vacant room. “Where did she go?”

“She headed toward the larder. Hurry! We can’t count on her hiding there long.” He opened the back door and practically pushed Juliana from the house.

When she headed toward the mews, Nash grabbed her arm. “Can’t take one of your brother’s carriages. Someone might alert him.”

Thank goodness for Nash. Clearly, she wasn’t suited for subterfuge.

Juliana followed Nash along the side of the house where he instructed her to wait once more. Nervous tension coiled in her belly as precious moments ticked by.

After what seemed an eternity, Nash appeared and led her to a hired hackney coach waiting several homes away.

Seated across from him, Juliana marveled at how calm he appeared. “What time is it?”

He pulled out his pocket watch. “Five till ten. I instructed the driver to let me out several buildings away before depositing you at the gaming hell. Remember what you promised me. At the slightest sign of trouble, run toward me and don’t look back.”

She nodded and prayed it wouldn’t be necessary.

At twenty to ten that evening, and after a final argument with Tierney about accompanying him, Victor boarded a hackney carriage to meet the anonymous letter writer at The Knave of Hearts .

Although it wouldn’t change anything about his plans to marry Juliana, unmasking the culprit and bringing them to justice would make a wonderful and unique wedding gift for his bride.