Page 66 of The Swan Detective (The Swan Syndicate #2)

By the time Beckworth appeared in his riding apparel, Stella was sitting at the dressing table while Libby worked on her hair.

He gave her a peck on the cheek and whispered in her ear, “You are my world, Lady Caldway.” His next words made her blush. Then he kissed her temple and walked to the door. “I’ll keep the masses busy until you join us.”

“And what were those whispers about?” Libby asked. “They must have been naughty to make your cheeks so rosy.”

“Nothing for you to be so nosy about.” But Stella couldn’t stop her grin, and through the mirror, her gaze locked on the drawer that held her ring. And she could still feel it on her finger, as if she’d never taken it off.

A fter a long and rowdy breakfast, Beckworth led Stella to his study, where Barrington, Mrs. Walker, and Libby waited.

They reviewed plans for Waverly until their next return trip, which was planned for early August. Afterward, Mrs. Walker took Stella down to the kitchen, where Nellie and Eleanor wanted to discuss more detailed issues.

“Barrington,” Beckworth spoke once Stella and the housekeeper had left, “do you mind giving Libby and me a few minutes?”

“Not at all, sir.” Barrington stood and gave Libby a quick glance, who merely shrugged, neither of them knowing what was up.

Once the door closed behind him, Libby squirmed in her seat.

“Have I done something wrong?” she asked.

Beckworth rose and poured two whiskeys, sliding one to her when he returned to his seat behind the desk.

“I could provide a list, but it would be a wasted effort.” He leaned back in his chair and watched as several emotions ran over his favorite spy—curiosity, worry, and that stubborn boldness that was so much like Stella. “I wanted to thank you for taking care of Stella.”

She blushed, which was a rare sight, and then her eyes squinted as she stared back at him. “You know it’s nothing. She’s a fine lady of the manor.”

“Enough of playing the proper lady’s maid. Stella is bold and tends to create chaos wherever she goes. She can be the perfect lady when she wants to be, but she also has the mouth of a sailor.”

Libby snorted, then took a sip of the whiskey. “She’s not your normal lady of the manor.”

“Which is why you make the perfect lady’s maid.” When she smiled, he added, “But it worries me at times when the two of you put your heads together. Mostly, it’s nothing to worry about, but the rest of the time, the two of you terrify me with your antics.”

Libby straightened at that. No doubt expecting a reprimand.

“That said.” He drank half the whiskey before pulling a sheathed dagger out of a drawer. He placed it on the desk and pushed it toward her.

“I know you still carry that tiny blade I gave you years ago, but if you’re going to continue to follow Stella into dangerous scenarios—” he held up his hands when Libby opened her mouth, “—and you can say what you want, but we both know we haven’t seen the end of those days.”

Libby relaxed and shrugged, knowing it to be true. She reached out and touched the sheath, running her fingers over the leather before pulling it to her. The blade shimmered as she pulled it out, then she gave the hilt a closer look. “Is this bone?”

“Stag horn.”

Libby wiped an eye then twirled the blade. “It has a good balance.”

“How’s the grip?”

“Perfect. But this is too much.”

“Nonsense. You’ve become Stella’s protector when I’m not around, and you need to know how irreplaceable you’ve become. If you’re going to continue in that function, then you need a proper weapon. And you’re more than deserving of it.”

She wiped at an eye again, and Beckworth knew she was embarrassed.

“Finish your whiskey and get back to your duties. I’m sure Stella’s wondering where you are.”

She downed the drink, slid the dagger back in its sheath, and stuck it in her pocket as she hurried to the door. Before leaving, she turned around.

“We’re going to miss you, sir.” Then she was out the door.

He was going to miss her and all the staff as well. He wasn’t sure what he would do if the day ever came when they couldn’t time jump.

S tella, dressed in her pants, shirt, and boots, took a last look around the bedroom. She touched the pocket where she’d stuffed the pouch with her ring in it. At first, the sight of it had terrified her. Now, only a few hours later, she never wanted to be parted from it.

She opened the cabinet where she stored her dagger and touched the warm wood of her crossbow. A tingle of excitement went through her, and she quickly stepped back and shut the door.

The last thing she should be thinking about is what Hensley had in store for them on their next trip. When she raced down the steps to the foyer, Fitz stood up from a bench where he’d been sitting. There was no cane in sight.

He strode over and held out an arm for her. “I thought I’d walk with you.”

She placed her arm through his, and they strolled through the manor toward the solarium and then out the back door on their way to the woods.

“I don’t see a limp,” she said.

He rubbed his side and then his leg. “I still get a twinge every now and then. Otherwise, I’m good as new.” He leaned down to whisper. “With many thanks to you and your medicine.”

She chuckled. “I doubt you needed it. You’re too ornery to die.”

“Truer words,” Lando said as he met them on the path where the gardener had already started the planned renovations.

“It’s true I have unending stamina.” He winked at Stella. “Or so the ladies say.”

They laughed when they reached the woods where Jamie and Beckworth waited.

“Will you be heading back to the Daphne soon?” Beckworth asked.

Jamie shook his head. “Thomas is on his way, and we decided it might be best not to be seen in Bristol while the ship is under refitting. Fitz could use a few more days, regardless of what he says.”

Stella knew it was more than that. Mary said they decided to stay another couple of days before heading to their home in Bristol.

Elizabeth would go with them to attend Mary’s pre-planned garden party the following week.

That would give Hensley time to work out mission details with the Daphne crew and Thomas.

No one had spoken of their next mission, but that didn’t mean the men weren’t thinking about it.

They continued on to a small gap in the trees where the others waited to see them off.

Beckworth shook hands, while Stella gave hugs and a few kisses on the cheek.

She punched Barrington in the arm, which made him grin.

Then she hugged Libby until her lady’s maid slipped out of her grasp, both of them laughing, though Stella saw the tears Libby was holding back.

Beckworth led Stella some distance away, and she hefted the duffel over her right shoulder. She stared down at the silver ring she wore, the small Mórdha stone mounted in the middle of a Celtic circle. Sebastian said the Celtic knots were a protective symbol, and so far, it was working well.

She took Beckworth’s hand as he recited the Celtic verse from memory, and she waved at their friends.

Their images blurred like a fading black and white photo as the fog rolled in and the bright light blinded her.

Her stomach tightened painfully, and she blew out air, attempting to release the tension before the ground slipped out from under her.

Beckworth’s hand squeezed harder, refusing to let her go.

Then she was on her own as she landed on her feet.

She took a few steps until her duffel hit her in the back of the head, and she fell face first onto a wooden floor.

She heard an “umph” next to her, which she assumed was Beckworth—or some poor bystander who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The bright light dissipated into rain. Not a pouring rain, but also not a drizzle.

She crawled a few paces then turned around to sit on her backside.

Beckworth was already standing, and he reached out a hand to help her up.

She breathed a sigh when she realized she’d been sitting on the dock next to Finn’s new sailboat.

They hurried up the hill and were soaked by the time they reached the inn.

“Their car and truck are gone.” Beckworth pulled her toward the front of the inn rather than the back deck.

“They could be anywhere.” Stella didn’t argue when Beckworth ran for their car. He checked under the back fender, grabbed the spare key, and popped the trunk. They tossed in their duffels, then he handed her the key.

Once inside the car, both drenched, they stared at each other and laughed.

“We live the craziest lives.” Stella leaned toward him.

Beckworth gave her a long kiss and said, “Let’s go home.”

S tella stared up through the canopy of trees to the sapphire sky and puffy clouds beyond. It hadn’t taken the rain long to disappear, leaving a beautiful spring day behind. She was wrapped in a light blanket to ward off the slight chill of their back patio.

Beckworth strolled out and hung a hummingbird feeder on the branch of a tree.

“I suppose we should get ready before AJ comes knocking.” She sat up from the chaise lounge but didn’t stand. Her short nap had dulled her brain, but she became fully awake when a cup of coffee appeared. “I don’t pay you enough.”

Beckworth chuckled. “We also have to stop at Donna’s for pies.” He waited for her to take a couple gulps, then he took the cup away. “Come on. The group will want to hear everything twice over.”

She’d called AJ as soon as they’d gotten home.

Finn had already called her to tell her Stella’s car was missing.

He must have arrived minutes after they’d left.

AJ then called Maire and Adam, her brother, and Helen, her mother, for an impromptu dinner.

That meant everyone would be there, including Ethan and Sebastian, of course.

Then there was Helen’s beau, Professor Emory, and Madelyn, Adam’s wife, and their three kids.

After starting their day at Waverly, it would make for a long day, but they had two hours to relax before everyone could gather.

They stopped at Donna’s, and Beckworth took twenty minutes selecting pies for dessert and one for everyone to take home.

Now, Stella had a fantastic memory, but she still didn’t know how Beckworth remembered everyone’s favorite pie.

When they reached the inn, she counted the cars. Beckworth had been right. They were the last to arrive.

Neither moved to get out. They stared at the front of the inn.

“You’re sure about this?” Beckworth asked.

She nodded. “It’s time. We’re in too deep. I don’t think we have any other choice.”

He squeezed her hand. “I agree.”

They got out of the car just as the front door opened and Finn and Ethan exited the house.

“Welcome home, travelers.” Finn shook Beckworth’s hand and gave Stella a long hug and kiss on the cheek.

Ethan helped Beckworth with the pies, and the next few hours were filled with stories about fancy balls, elegant dresses, and updates on old friends. Beckworth handed out letters to Finn, AJ, Ethan, Maire, and Sebastian that they tucked away to read later.

Once dinner was cleared and the kids were in front of a movie, a second bottle of wine was opened, and Finn brought over a new bottle of Jameson.

While he poured the whiskey and Ethan poured the wine, Beckworth cleared his throat to silence the multiple conversations.

When he had their full attention, he lifted his glass of whiskey.

“To a safe journey!”

Across the table from him, Maire shouted, “Slainte.”

When the glasses were set down, Beckworth took Stella’s hand, and after a solemn nod, they turned to the group. They’d discussed it on the drive to the inn, and though Stella initially believed she should be the one to do it, she’d finally agreed that Beckworth would set a better tone.

Beckworth took a long look around the table, his gaze landing on AJ and then Finn.

“Everyone, settle in. We have quite a story to share.”

Thank You for Reading!

Stella and Beckworth’s adventures will continue!

The question is whether their love story can handle the stress of constant peril that seems to follow them—or more accurately, tends to follow Stella. But then, what can one expect when they take a chance on traveling through the fog?

If you’ve read more than one or two of my books, you know I always like to leave a bit of an appetizer for the next book in the series.

At the time of this writing, my thoughts are a jumble with all the possibilities for Stella and Beckworth’s next adventure.

However, I do have one scene I feel confident will be in the next book.

I’ll warn you—it’s a bit of a cliff hanger, so buckle up.

The Swan Syndicate - Book 3

(title still pending)

S tella and Beckworth, unable to leave their friends behind in the past, have decided to make a habit of returning to Waverly Manor. The only problem—Hensley, unwilling to let go of his best spy, is always ready to dangle a mission in front of Beckworth.

The difference this time is that they know exactly what’s waiting for them, and it’s more than a simple search mission.

But nothing is ever simple. While trying to build evidence against a notorious smuggler who’s stoking a rebellion against England, a new competitor has joined the playing field with eyes on taking over the entire smuggling network.

Keep reading for a preview from the next edition of The Swan Syndicate.

Enjoy!