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He tucked Isabella’s clue between the pages for safekeeping “Quite”

Hyacinth watched as he pressed his ear to the door No one had been about when they had sneaked in a half hour earlier, but Gareth had explained that the butler never retired before the baron And with the baron still out at the Mottram Ball, that left one man up and possibly about, and another who could return at any time

Gareth placed one finger on his lips and motioned for her to follow him as he carefully turned the doorknob He opened the door an inch—just enough to peer out the crack and ether they crept into the hall, round floor It was dark, but Hyacinth’s eyes had adjusted well enough to see where she was going, and in under aroom—the one with the faultylatch

As he had the time before, Gareth climbed out first, then formed a step with his hands for Hyacinth to balance upon as she reached up and shut theHe lowered her down, dropped a quick kiss on her nose, and said, “You need to get home”

She couldn’t help but smile “I’m already hopelessly compromised”

“Yes, but I’m the only one who knows”

Hyacinth thought it rather char of him to be so concerned for her reputation After all, it didn’t truly ht them or not; she had lain with him, and she must marry him A woman of her birth could do no less Good heavens, there could be a baby, and even if not, she was no longer a virgin

But she had knohat she was doing when she had given herself to him She knew the ramifications

Together they crept down the alley to Dover Street It was imperative, Hyacinth realized, that theyinto the wee hours of the ot a late start on their search, and surely everyone would be heading hoes on the streets of Mayfair, which meant that she and Gareth needed to render themselves as invisible as possible

Hyacinth’s joking aside, she didn’t wish to be caught out in the e was now an inevitability, but all the sa the subject of scurrilous gossip

“Wait here,” Gareth said, barring her fro forith his arm Hyacinth re as close to the corner as she dared while he made sure there was no one about After a few seconds she saw Gareth’s hand, reaching back and esture

She stepped out onto Dover Street, but she was there barely a second before she heard Gareth’s sharply in-drawn breath and felt herself being shoved back into the shadows

Flattening herself against the back wall of the corner building, she clutched Miss Davenport—and within it, Isabella’s clue—to her chest as she waited for Gareth to appear by her side

And then she heard it

Just one word In his father’s voice