Page 36 of Barely a Woman (Bow Street Beaus #1)

“How does one interrogate an earl? What was the magistrate thinking when sending me?”

Steadman watched his nervous wife as her hands fidgeted at her waist. He shook his head.

Morgan had never appeared more beautiful, dazzling in an evening gown and elbow-length satin gloves, her long neck draped with a string of emeralds.

He reeled her into an embrace and kissed her forehead tenderly.

“Just be yourself.”

“That is exactly my fear. And I am not sure this dress disguises that I am with child.”

He sighed into her ear. “Shh, my love. All will be well. Lord Huxley is not that perceptive. We will tie him into intellectual knots, together, as we have so many others before. We will have him confessing before the final toast, I am certain.”

She peeked up at him to smile in a playful manner that blew the ashes of his former existence from his soul.

“Your certainty is open to question, sir. After all, I heard that a woman once fooled you into believing she was a man for an entire week while in close quarters. Is this scurrilous rumor true?”

He heaved a sigh. “Yes, ’tis true. But in my defense, she was a lovely man and an even more beautiful woman who bewitched me with friendship. Who was I to stand against such powerful magic?”

“So, now I am a witch?”

“No.” He caressed the thick, amber braid that fell past her shoulder onto her breast. “You are magnificent. Never forget that.”

She arched onto her toes to caress his lips with hers and whispered, “I won’t.”

“Very good.” He reluctantly released her and straightened his jacket and cravat. “Come, then. Quick notice and sudden pursuit. We’ve an earl to bring to justice.”

“And then to offer redemption?”

“If we must.”

She laughed. “We must. We always must.”

He nodded agreement, for no one had found greater redemption than he had. With the source of that redemption by his side, he proudly strolled into the ballroom to work, while also greatly anticipating a waltz with his best friend.

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