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"Please forgive

Maintaining his coesture that conveyed silence "Lady Winter is incognito this evening, my lord

You understand, perhaps, how that enlivens the festivities"

"Ah, of course" Sedgewick’s s, his shoulders held back with cocky pride "I applaud your decision to discard the doown as lovely as yours should not be hidden"

Maria was here "If you will excuse us, elica’s hand to his lips, said some platitudes to which Christopher paid no mind, and then the viscount stepped out of the way

Freed froelica out of the bal roo halHe had no notion if he was heading in the right direction to find the woman in the black doarden Froelica could skirt the house to the front, where she would await hi her cheek before seeing her out a set of French doors He whistled low, call ing his men who surrounded the perie Then he turned about……in tie fro directly behind her That they’d had a liaison was obvious

More secrets Would there be more lies?

Christopher took a risk and call ed out "Maria"

The wo the features he craved to look upon She ?" she asked coldly, every inch the Wintry Widow

Apparently, she had seen hielica and did not like it Good

He re her an unhindered view of his own displeasure He waited for her explanation

Instead, she turned on her heel and walked away

Enraged, he gave chase

Chapter 10

Maria heard Christopher exchange curt words with Eddington as she fled down the hal way She stepped up her pace It hurt to run and she quickly grew dizzy, but her carriage aiting With haste she could reach it andso early, my lady?"

Startled, she slowed and turned her head to see thefrom an opposite hal way

He frowned and looked over her shoulder "Where is your co

"Ah, there he is," Sedgewickover her shoulder, she saw Christopher approaching with rapid strides Lacking the luxury of tiht

Her footsteps padded softly along the runner and then grew louder as she crossed thepast a startled footman and several late arrivals, she descended the front steps to the crowded drive and weaved between the st the liveried drivers and footmen in search of her own

"Maria!"

The call came from before and behind her, the two male voices distinctive in accent and tone--one clipped and angry, the other lower and urgent

She turned quickly to the right, rushing headlong toward Siht the elbow of her uninjured are

"Better luck next time, old chap!" he crowed to Christopher and then he vaulted up behind her as the equipage lurched into riht of hily, and she relished the tiny victory of thwarting his atteure so affectionately and kissed her so chastely spoke of much care and also reminded Maria of his recent visit to her hoh his kisses had been far fro her intently

Maria relayed the events

"Good God," he muttered when she finished "What are the odds that you would land in this predicaton?"

"Has my life not always been a series of unfortunate events?" Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back against the squabs

"And Sedgewick’s behavior is a puzzle?"

"Delve into him He approached me as if we had met at some point, yet I’m certain I have never made his acquaintance Did he mistake St John’s companion for me? Also he appeared unconcerned to find the pirate in attendance Very odd"

"I will investigate both peers" There was a pause, and then Siton’s offer--if it is sincere--would be a godsend, ton desires two things--the capture of St John and the identity of the kil er responsible for the deaths of Dayton and Winter He is ambitious What a coup it would be for hiain, yes?"

Siainst the floorboards "I agree I feel as if a net is closing around you, yet I can do nothing"