Page 53 of The Swan Detective (The Swan Syndicate #2)

Beckworth struggled with a myriad of emotions as he watched Stella’s exchange with the captain.

Why, at this moment, would she share details about her time aboard The Horseman ?

He wanted to know more, but that she’d shared some of it now, while others listened, ignited his protective nature.

All he wanted to do was pick her up and rush her back to Waverly, where they could be alone and away from danger.

Yet the other half of him was filled with pride at how she’d taken control of the meeting.

He’d almost laughed out loud when she demanded to know who the captain was.

She was his hero, something she and AJ always said of the other, though it usually involved wine or marionberry pie.

The thought made him want to smile again.

He kept his eyes on the captain’s men, but his focus kept returning to Leclair.

On the surface, he was doing all the right things in the presence of a lady, but something else rode underneath that suave persona that kept Beckworth’s senses on high alert.

This was a dangerous man, and Beckworth wondered how long Leclair had been captain of a ship.

Based on what little he knew of McDuff, Leclair would be the type of man he’d want as a captain in his network.

He most likely secured high-value cargo, but depending on how quickly he rose through the ranks, how much did McDuff trust him?

After the debacle with Cheval, Beckworth would never want someone that close that he couldn’t trust, but when working with smugglers, one didn’t have much to choose from.

The captain gave Stella an elegant bow and replied, “I’m Captain Leclair from the Nighthawk .” When Stella’s blank expression didn’t change, he continued. “I’ve heard of a Lady Swan who sails on a mysterious ship up and down the west coast of England. Should I presume you’re that same lady?”

Stella’s throaty laugh pricked at Beckworth’s protective nature again, and he hated to admit it in this situation, his lust. And he caught a glimpse of the same in the captain’s gaze.

“Good god, I hope so. I’d hate to think there were two of us sailing around England. But I do love how you make me sound so enigmatic.”

Her bold nature caught the captain off guard, but he recovered quickly enough.

He peered into the shadows and then down at the thief, who kept looking from one to the other, waiting to learn his own fate.

Leclair kicked the thief’s midsection, resulting in a muffled groan.

“Perhaps we should continue this conversation in a more comfortable setting. I know it’s late, but have you eaten? ”

Beckworth expected to hear Stella’s stomach growl. He’d heard it earlier and assumed she hadn’t had much of an appetite before the mission. No growl came, but he wasn’t surprised by Stella’s response. She understood what they needed.

“I’ve been so busy with last-minute tasks before our departure tomorrow, I’m afraid I haven’t taken the time.”

The captain took a step back and held out his arm.

“Perhaps you’d be willing to join me at my favorite London pub?

” When she hesitated, he glanced at Beckworth and Michelson.

“Of course, your two men are welcome to follow. But I must insist the others remain behind.” He wasn’t a fool to think there were only the three of them.

Stella didn’t hesitate as she handed her crossbow to Beckworth and walked around the thief to take the captain’s arm. “I assume you’ll follow the same rules. Two men and no more.”

“But of course.” His smile was genuine, though it didn’t reach his eyes. Beckworth understood at that moment the captain had no plans to do what she asked. Fortunately, their side didn’t play by the rules, either.

Fitz would have a small team watching Leclair’s men and would follow them. Once the location where Leclair’s men waited was confirmed, a sailor would return to inform Jamie, who would send the rest of the team to secure a border around them.

With Chester’s crew still on the streets, no one would take them by surprise.

When Stella had stepped around the thief, she’d brushed against Beckworth.

It was barely noticeable, happening within a blink of an eye, so chances were good he was the only one who’d noticed.

But he’d understood that she was fine. If she’d been worried, she would have done something more dramatic, most likely in the form of questioning the change of location or the number of men she was allowed to have with her.

The fact she was comfortable didn’t change Beckworth’s diligence with her safety, but a knot loosened in his chest.

If an attack came, it wouldn’t be until after Leclair heard what Lady Swan had to offer.

French arms, or the rumor of them, would run like wildfire through McDuff’s network.

Leclair would see this opportunity as another way to rise within the network with a handsome payday.

He’d take the time to listen before doing anything rash.

Beckworth left the crossbow by the thief, whom the captain left behind as he walked out the door with Stella. No doubt there were plenty more where he came from if the captain wanted to pursue collecting the rest of the jewelry.

Leclair led Stella four blocks away as if they were strolling through Hyde Park.

Beckworth knew this pub. In fact, it was also one of his favorites.

It was suitable for discussing private business, had decent ale and stronger spirits, and the last time he’d been here, which had been some time ago, served excellent food.

Before they reached the door, two drunken sailors entered, each one leaning on the other.

Beyond the pub, farther down the street, he caught sight of another man, who wore a top hat.

Though his clothes appeared old and ragged, the man walked with a proud and steady gait until he turned a corner.

Beckworth grinned. He knew several men who wore top hats, but only one sailor.

An odd man that Jamie had found up the coast in Scotland, but one of the best sailors either man had seen.

It was all he needed to know that Fitz had just entered the pub, and Jamie’s men would soon be in place.

S tella’s anxiety returned during the walk to the pub.

She had no problem letting her mouth run wild when Beckworth was beside her and Jamie’s men were there as backup.

But she remained quiet, not trusting Leclair, whose tense muscles were easy to feel under his jacket.

One look at Beckworth when she’d handed him her crossbow was enough to understand he didn’t trust him either.

“It’s not much farther,” Leclair assured her.

She wasn’t appeased. For all she knew, his statement could be a signal to the two men who walked behind Beckworth and Michelson.

“As long as the food is as good as you claim. Most of the food in the pubs down here is barely edible.”

His laugh seemed an honest one. “You have to be in a different part of town to find anything dependable.” He glanced down at her and tugged her close. “I’m surprised you didn’t know that, especially with all the time you spend with the aristocrats.”

She rolled her eyes, tired of making up stories, so she used the adage to stick as close to the truth as possible.

“I don’t come to London often, and my foray into noble society has been difficult.

I suppose after eating in pubs along the west coast, I expected something better in such a large city. ”

“Well, you’ll be happy with the dining here.”

She glanced up in time to see two drunks enter the establishment. She laughed when she recognized one as Fitz. She’d seen too many of his disguises to be fooled, and some of her courage returned. “It appears the ale is good.”

When he took note of the drunks, he chuckled again. “In their condition, I wouldn’t trust those two with knowing a fine meal nor an excellent ale.”

Once inside the pub, which was nicer than she’d expected, and any threat of being attacked in an alley was behind her, her nerves settled.

Similar to McDuff, there was a table waiting for Leclair in the back of the pub.

Was this captain taking his cues from McDuff, or did he have the same plan as Cheval to someday overthrow him?

Beckworth and Michelson found a place to stand along a wall opposite where the captain’s men stood.

They were too far away to hear anything but close enough if needed.

The captain remained silent until the server came, and before she could say anything, he ordered for her.

At least it was roasted pork rather than fish, but her irritation rose over his attempt at control, though she didn’t argue when the wine was poured.

She did her best not to swallow it down like water after a long walk in the desert.

“Where have you been all this time?” Leclair asked, keeping a watchful eye on her as he took a rather large gulp of wine.

The question surprised her, and she involuntarily took a longer drink. She licked her upper lip. “What do you mean?”

His gaze followed her tongue before he refocused on the conversation. “McDuff has been looking for you. From what I understand, you made a commitment to show him cargo for a possible trade and then up and disappeared.”

Thank the gods. This was something she had an answer for.

She set her glass on the table, a little too hard, and gave him a puzzled look.

“Didn’t you listen to a thing I said in the warehouse?

” She had danced around McDuff. He’d been suave and flirtatious, and it seemed the right balance for dealing with him.

This man was none of that. He played at being as sophisticated as McDuff, but some people couldn’t mask their dispassionate side.

Her best option would be to play it more assertively and test the waters.