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"No," she replied, stepping forith her fists balled "You’re not going in alone If they’re planning on releasing the orbs, then I won’t have you there You knohat happened I won’t allow it! Not again"

Lynch stared at her, feeling everyone’s eyes upon theled to find the words She wouldn’t have said this if she didn’t care for him, would she? Elation soared in his chest, but he choked it off ruthlessly He had nothing to offer her No hope of anything beyond today, nohimself to betray Mercury to the Council

"You are not in a position to deny h the words spoke of sothe furious flood of heat surge through her cheeks as if he’d slapped her--but this was for her own good If he let her have hopes, then he would only cruelly dash thereat

Garrett winced but Mrs Marberry tipped her chin up "You’re correct," she replied "I have no authority--no…no right to deny you Do as you will, you stubborn fool, but don’t doubt this You won’t be going alone I’m a respectable ith a--"

This time it was his turn to start "Absolutely not!"

"And how do you propose to stopher arms across her chest "Let me assure you that I can and will find myself a ticket to the opera if you try to keep enious when I wish to be"

"I’m aware of that," he replied "But that should be rather difficult--even for you--if I chain you up in my bloody bedroom!"

"Sir, really," she drawled, a glint of huentleaped

Rosa took a step toward hi victorious "Besides, what makes you think I won’t simply pick the lock?"

"I will re to throb again Did the woerous

"All of theh"

It couldn’t have sounded hed, and Perry’s lips were pressed so tightly together she looked like she was going to burst

"I believe you are being outest a healthy capitulation now, before you say solare toward Garrett "I a her into the opera alone You at least look the part I want you in court clothes within two hours You don’t stray an inch from her side"

"I don’t need a nurserinned "Those pretty looks have coaze cut to hers "And you can find a dress"

Perry’s jaw dropped "Not a chance, sir"

He stabbed a finger toward her "I’ or else I will find one for you Then I will stuff you into it reeted this outburst Even Garrett--as struggling to suppress his laughter--didn’t dare say a word Lynch straightened "Byrnes, I want you to have ent sent to each of the other events on the list, just in case we’ve picked the wrong one" He knew he hadn’t, but there were enough Nighthawks to cover each place

"Have aHe can get the queen and the prince consort out ifat his cuff links "Garrett, on your way, send Doyle up to help get me ready"

"Aye, sir" Garrett snapped a salute

"And what about me?" Rosa asked

He looked down at her "If you think you’re co to be difficult enough convincing the doorh as it is"

"Take Perry," Garrett added blandly "You lare was one step short of ne," she snarled, stalking toward the door and grabbing Rosa by the arh the door, Lynch barked orders, snapping one last briefing to histhe trily, her breasts threatening to spill over the top of the peach-colored silk’s square neckline Bands of chocolate brown chenille passee trimmed the neckline and the soft drapes of her skirt A crea a rustling sound every time she moved

Perry raked her with an experienced eye "You’ll do Turn around"

Perry herself was alnizable Gone was the cold-faced woman in harsh black leather with her pomaded hair Instead, a white ostrich feather danced in her hair, the curls of the black wig trailing over her shoulder She wore red silk, the bias-cut panels of the bodice creating slight curves out of the woleterre lace peeked out from beneath the drape of her train, and she wore pearls wrapped thrice around her throat Rosalind knew all of this, because Perry had explained it in quite explicit detail while they raided the French couturier that afternoon One flash of Perry’s leathers and the , no doubt for fear of incurring the wrath of the Nighthawks

A strip of black velvet ribbon circled Rosalind’s throat and Perry tied it A single teardrop-shaped pearl hung fro to have an apoplexy," Perry muttered with a nasty smile as Rosalind stared into the chevalthe other woman’s eyes in the mirror

"I prefer to wear pants It doesn’t mean I don’t knohat a dress is for"

"I wear dresses," Rosalind pointed out "And I don’t knohat half of this is called" She pointed at the lacy frill that draped her shoulder

"Do you kno to use a knife?" Perry asked, ignoring the question in her words