“Mr. Ellison, please recall that my sister is an innocent lady and Griffin Berenger is a friend,” he ground out, meeting Ellison’s eyes and holding his gaze there.
Douglas looked away quickly, unable to match the intensity of her brother’s stare. “Of course, Lord Lockhart. I apologize for my lack of thought.”
Audrey had an urge to stomp her foot. For the past few weeks she heard innuendo about Griffin and Luci’s marriage, but never gotten to the real truth. What was the secret that made Griffin so unhappy? Audrey had always assumed his marriage had been a harmonious one, but more and more she doubted that theory had been correct.
Ellison gave a smooth smile. “Your brother is correct and I apologize. We should speak of more pleasant topics. Such as today’s events. Look over the crowd! There are our Prince and his guests now.”
Audrey followed the sweeping motion of Ellison’s hand and found herself looking into a raised box on the parameter of the park. Inside the Prince and several of his guests were chatting.
“I was under the impression you weren’t overly found of our esteemed monarch, Douglas,” she whispered. “I’m surprised you show so much interest in him and his party today.”
Ellison patted her hand as he let out a cold laugh. “You are observant, but how can one not be happy at an event such as this? It’s bound to be the best show this city has seen in years.”
Audrey’s heart leapt in her throat and she tossed a glance back at her brother. From his position a few steps behind them, Noah hadn’t overheard their conversation, but had followed their stares to the Prince’s box. Noah had a concerned frown on his face. Even Hannah held Audrey’s stare for a long moment before dropping her gaze to the ground as was appropriate for the role she played.
“I hate to be rude,” Noah said, stepping closer to the couple. “But I see an old friend, Lady Greene, across the lawn. I would be remiss if I didn’t say hello to her. Will you entertain my sister for a moment, Ellison?”
The other man’s eyes lit up at the chance he was being offered. “Of course, Lockhart.”
“Thank you, I won’t be long.”
Audrey stifled a smile as her brother disappeared into the crowd. Lady Greene was a code term between the two of them. It meant Noah was off to find Lord Golding and give him a report on their situation. The fact he had decided to do so immediately made Audrey wonder if her brother felt the danger had escalated.
“Alone at last,” Ellison said with a smile.
Audrey glanced in Hannah’s direction. “Almost alone.”
Though Ellison nodded as if he, too, were upset by the need for a chaperone, Audrey silently said a thank you for the societal norms that didn’t allow her to be unaccompanied with the man beside her. She shuttered to think what he might attempt in a private setting.
As they walked through the park, Hannah forever trailing behind them at a respectable distance, Audrey looked around her. The grounds were packed with people of all rank and political disposition. Any one of them could be operating under Ellison. She searched desperately for a sign of his partners. Just one exchanged glance, one word out of place, and she could go to Noah with the evidence. But there was nothing and her shoulders slumped in disappointment.
The miniatures of the ships involved in the Battle of Trafalgar were already arranged on the river, ready for the reenactment that would surely entertain the drunken crowd. Of course once the true gaiety had begun, Audrey’s job would be all the harder. As soon as the noisy festivities commenced, there would be confusion and Ellison or his men could easily make a move.
“Come my dear.” Ellison gripped her arm a bit tighter as his gray eyes darkened. “Let’s move closer, shall we?”
“Perhaps we should find a spot in the shade.”
She pulled back against his grip. Suddenly she felt less protected by the crowd around them. Douglas looked positively gleeful and it was terrifying.
His grip gentled though he didn’t release her. “We’ll want to be close when the reenactment begins. The Prince has the best view on the field.”
Though she searched for a reason to refuse, Audrey couldn’t find one. Finally, she smiled. “Of course. We’ll simply keep watch for my brother so he may join us later.”
As she allowed Ellison to lead her toward the Prince and his party, she prayed Noah would find them and that they could put a stop to whatever the traitor had planned.
***
“Where the hell have you been?”
Griffin turned from the barrel of ale he’d been standing beside to look at Noah. His friend gave a smile to soften the tone of his question.
“I could ask the same of you,” Griffin replied.
“I had to take care of some business with Lord Golding and then I was looking for you.” His friend’s smile faded. “Grif, I understand your anger and your fear for Audrey’s safety, but you must be more careful about how you behave around Ellison. Too many outbursts and the man might suspect something.”
“He already suspects something.” Griffin downed his ale with a grimace.
“What?” Noah asked. “I’ve heard nothing. What does he suspect?”
“Not what you think,” Griffin hastened to say as he realized his friend thought he meant Ellison had guessed something about Audrey. “He thinks I’m a rival for your sister’s affections. He doesn’t feel the way he would with just any other man, but sees me as a true challenge. I don’t know how he’s come to this conclusion, but it was clear by the way he looked at me that he considers me an opponent.”
Noah tilted his head to look at his friend in silence for a moment. “Are you?”
Griffin swallowed the remainder of his drink in one uncomfortable gulp. The brew stuck in his chest as he stared at his friend. “I beg your pardon?”
“Are you a rival for my sister’s affection?” Noah repeated. His face revealed none of his emotions.
Griffin shut his eyes briefly, letting his senses be filled by the sounds and smells of the crowded park. He thought of Audrey and his entire body clenched with pleasure and pain and longing all at once.
“I would never hurt Audrey,” he finally answered.
“That wasn’t the question.”
Griffin opened his eyes. He should have known Noah wouldn’t be distracted by evasion. Unfortunately, he wasn’t certain of his answer. He wanted Audrey. And wanted to protect her, but beyond that…
A great cheer from the crowd made both men look up. A group of soldiers passed through, their uniforms smart in the fading evening sun.
Noah looked at him again. “What I asked is if you’re in any way serious about my sister. And don’t tell me you’re only interested in her friendship. I’ve seen the way you look at her and I know you two have exchanged at least one kiss. Those aren’t the actions of a friend.”
Dipping his head, Griffin examined the dusty ground beneath his feet where the grass had been smashed beyond repair.
“Noah, I don’t know what to tell you about your sister and I. The fact is…”
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud bang came from behind the two. As both spun around, a large cheer went up from the gang of people around them.
“Is that the reenactment beginning?” Noah yelled over the din.
“It must be!” Griffin said in return. “It’s close to eight. But that was awfully loud, wasn’t it?”
“Very.” The two men locked eyes and Griffin knew Noah was thinking the same thing he was. Where was Audrey and was she in danger?
“Let’s go.”
Griffin spun on his heel to hurry through the crowd. People automatically cleared out of his way, some calling out his name. How he managed to wave and smile at his old friends, he didn’t know, but his hand came up naturally as he maneuvered through groups of people.