Page 41 of The Swan Syndicate #1

“Take Stella back to the ship.” Beckworth took a step backward then disappeared into the shadows.

Stella turned on the rest of the men. Fitz, Thomas, and Lando glanced up, down, and around the alley, anywhere but at her. “What the hell? MacDuff was going to tell me about his network.”

“We didn’t have a choice.” Fitz stepped forward. Brave man. “Cheval is here, and he’s looking for MacDuff.”

She hadn’t expected that and paced a tight line in front of the men. “So, you had to pull me out.” She began to nod, then stopped and looked at Thomas. “Where did you come from? I mean, it’s nice to see you, but how?”

“Hensley sent me once he received Jamie’s letter with his next two stops. I rode like hell to get here.”

“They say timing is everything.” She turned back to Fitz. “Where did Beckworth go?”

He glanced at his feet then at Lando before saying, “He needed to get back to Lane. He’s watching Cheval on his own.”

She wasn’t fooled. Beckworth wasn’t handling this well.

He hadn’t wanted her to be the conduit with MacDuff, and Cheval showing up increased the risk.

Once again, he was fighting between his commitment to the mission and his concern for her.

But walking off in a snit during a mission wasn’t professional and, well, it pissed her off, regardless of how much she understood it.

“Fine.” She took Lando’s arm. “Take me back to the ship. Or should I be going back with Thomas?”

“Thomas will go back with us,” Lando said. “Fitz will continue his surveillance.”

She dropped her hand from Lando’s arm and walked quietly with her head down between the two men. If anyone spotted her, she would appear defeated. It certainly matched her emotions.

She remained detached as they boarded the ship, crossed the deck, and descended to the galley. When she turned for her cabin, Lando called her back.

“Jamie will want us in his office.”

She didn’t think her shoulders could drop any lower, but they did.

Instead of turning left, she turned right then leaned against the wall, waiting for Lando to take the lead.

She dropped onto a stool closest to the door, irritated that she wanted to dart out of it like a bunny chased by a fox, unable to shake the depressed feeling of watching Beckworth walk away without a word.

She understood it. Of course, she did. And she kept saying it over and over in her head, but the mantra did little to restore her energy.

“Stella. Stella, did you hear me?” Jamie asked.

Her head popped up. “Sorry. Did you ask me something?”

He gave her a gentle smile and a nod, tugging at his ear.

Not for the first time, she imagined him with an earring.

He’d even look good with an eye patch. Not that she wanted him to lose his eye, but if he did, he’d still be hot.

“I asked if you were alright, but I think I have my answer. I’ll make this quick.

” He glanced up when Lane entered. “Any news?”

Lane shook his head. “We expected Cheval to meet with MacDuff, but he either hasn’t found him or changed his plans.”

“It’s possible he wasn’t expecting MacDuff to be here.” Lando pulled out his dagger and whetstone.

The soft, consistent sound of steel on stone was soothing, and Stella’s shoulders relaxed. Funny. She hadn’t realized when they went from drooping to filled with tension.

“Maybe MacDuff knew Cheval would be here and wanted him to know there was competition.” Thomas, sitting next to Jamie’s desk, leaned forward.

“I know I’m new here, but Hensley let me read your messages.

His question was which of them held the power, MacDuff or Cheval? Or were they truly equal partners?”

“If MacDuff had agreed to a meeting with Stella because he knew it was an easy way to prove to Cheval he didn’t need him, Hensley has his answer.” Jamie turned to Stella. “Did MacDuff ever mention Cheval or any other smuggler?”

She glared at Jamie. It had occurred to her as she vaguely listened to the conversation that she didn’t know who had pulled her from dinner. She’d assumed Beckworth, but maybe it was Jamie.

“We were just getting to that when someone dragged me out of there like some Neanderthal.” She glanced at Thomas. “Nothing personal.”

Thomas just grinned. She didn’t know him well, but what little she’d seen of him in his role with taking down Gemini, he’d seemed distant and rarely smiled. Now he was relaxed and grinned easily which gave him a pleasant face.

“What did MacDuff tell you?” Jamie asked.

“He was excited to see the French weapons. He didn’t get that opportunity often.”

“That sounds like he doesn’t have many contacts outside of the isles,” Lando said.

She nodded, feeling better now with her thoughts engaged elsewhere.

“He said he ran cargo in Ireland, Scotland, and England. He was extremely interested in trading with someone who had access to French supplies. One thing that’s important.

He wanted to know if I had any contacts that could help bring French ships to Ireland. ”

Before they could ask her anything else, a knock came before the door opened.

Michelson held a message. “Sorry, Captain. I was on my way back to report MacDuff leaving the inn. He appeared to be heading for his ship. I had just stepped onto the gangplank when a sailor called out. He handed me this note.”

He passed it to Jamie and, instead of leaving, leaned against a bookcase that held rolled charts, ledgers, and a variety of books.

Jamie read the top of the folded letter. “It’s for Lady Swan.” He held up the note.

She was surprised but nodded and waved her hand. “You read it. I’m too tired.”

He opened it and read it before glancing at the group.

“He’s demanding a meeting at a pub on the far end of the docks.

His request is for now or he’ll send men to see to your safety.

” He turned to Thomas first. “Looks like he doesn’t think of you as much of a threat.

” Then he looked to Michelson. “Are you sure MacDuff was headed for his ship?”

Michelson considered his original statement before shrugging. “He was headed in that direction, but it’s the same path to the pub. I should have followed.”

“No matter.” Jamie leaned back and tapped the note on his desk.

“It sounds like a trap,” Lando said.

“Is it possible he’s worried for her?” Thomas asked.

Stella snorted. “More like he’s worried about the French firearms.”

Jamie pondered his dilemma as the others went back and forth as to whether this was an advantage or a ploy.

“Quiet down.” Jamie stood. “I don’t think we have a choice.

Stella, are you alright with going to the pub?

I’ll send Lando, Lane, Michelson, and Thomas with you.

While you’re meeting with MacDuff, I’ll send someone to collect the crate.

If MacDuff still wants to see the goods, I want to arrange a new location. ”

Stella, still worried about Beckworth’s mood, didn’t hesitate.

“That’s what we’re here for, right? To try to get names or something of value?

” She glanced at Lando, who nodded. “I’m ready.

I just need to know where the crate will be.

” How would she explain getting away from the viscount’s man?

“I can tell him my ship’s crew saved me from Thomas, so I think he should stay on the ship. ”

Jamie shook his head. “No. Thomas will go with you. We’ll give him a hat and a different shirt. If he stays behind the others and keeps his head down, you’ll be fine.”

It wasn’t her call. She could protest, but Thomas had been Sergeant of Arms for the Earl of Hereford. Ethan trusted him with his life. She couldn’t think of a better man to have on her detail. She nodded in agreement.

“Tell him we’ll meet him back in Burry Port in order to avoid the viscount’s men.

” He looked to Lando. “Take the best route to the pub. If Cheval is out there, I don’t want him to see Stella.

If he’s with MacDuff, terminate the mission.

I’ll have a note ready to be sent to MacDuff’s ship with our request to meet at Burry Port.

If Cheval follows MacDuff there, then we’ll end the mission and return to Bristol. We have enough for Hensley.”

The men stood but waited for Stella.

She stood and faced Jamie. “Beckworth isn’t going to be happy about this, so I expect you to take responsibility for his anger.”

He didn’t smile, but his gaze was earnest as if he’d expected her request. “We have your back.”

B eckworth walked through the dark alleys on his way to MacDuff’s ship. He stopped long enough to pound his fist into a crate, then lowered his forehead to it. His emotions were in turmoil—fear, anger, pride. Everything had been working as planned until Cheval showed up.

Had MacDuff known? Had he been playing Stella for some reason?

And why in all that’s holy had he walked away without giving her some assurance that everything would be alright?

He’d wanted to hold her, to feel her body close to his.

Somehow, the horrors of the world disappeared when she was in his arms.

But the other men were there, and he was too proud to show his weakness. He would have to have a long talk with Finn when they returned to Baywood. How did the man deal with his fear for AJ when she went off and did something mad?

He rubbed his fist, then wiped the blood on his pants.

Stella would demand to know how he’d scraped his knuckles.

He breathed deeply. The soft evening air did little to calm his anxiety, but he shook it off and focused on the mission.

Stay focused. That was the key, even if he had to remind himself every five minutes.

MacDuff had moored his ship at port this time. Was that important? He’d moored it in the bay at the last port. There were dozens of reasons why that would be, and speculation was pointless. He reached the docks and stopped at the end of a building to peer around the corner.