Too Dangerous For a Lady by Jo Beverley Read Free Book Online

meet again in glory in London.”
    Waite straightened, a new light in his eyes. “Yes, this time we will succeed. You will see wonders.”
    Mark lingered, hoping Waite would let something slip about the wonders, but that was all, so he had to leave. Hehesitated outside Solange’s room, but there were things he must do before attempting to get the details of Isaac’s new idea. He had new nuggets of information about tomorrow’s gathering to pass on, so he found a quiet corner and wrote them down.
    He advised the magistrates to move in early but handle the true Spenceans as gently as possible. Oppressive force would be oil on the fire and Waite was ready to exploit that. He considered adding a warning about exploding letters, but that danger was directed at London and he’d carry the news himself—if all went well. He rolled the paper thinly and tucked it beneath the cuff of his shirt. He went downstairs, hoping it would take Solange a long time to unpick and then repair her spare corset.
    He strolled into the taproom and ordered a glass of punch. As he sipped, he looked around idly and soon spotted his contact. Tom Holloway was sitting at a table close to the fire, and not by chance. There’d be nothing suspicious in another man going to warm himself nearby.
    By the stocky, middle-aged man sat a book, half-hanging off the table, again not by chance. Mark walked toward the fire and knocked the book to the floor. Apologizing, he picked it up, replaced it, and moved on to enjoy his drink in the fire’s warmth, his note passed on.
    He must linger for a few precious minutes, just in case he was watched, though the only Crimson Band member here now was Isaac, abandoned by Durrant. Isaac was sipping gin and staring blankly at the wall. At moments like this the young man looked such a dull pudding. Would that he were.
    Mark checked his pocket watch. Twenty minutes till the mail coach passed through, and it wouldn’t linger for a missing passenger. He should go upstairs, but could he get more information out of Isaac? He had to try, and with luck Holloway would catch a bit of the conversation.
    Mark went over. “That ABC stuff. I don’t think it’ll work.”
    â€œWhat do you know?” Isaac muttered.
    â€œNo one of importance will open them,” Mark said. “So they won’t have any impact.”
    Isaac smirked. “Wait till you hear about the gas.”
    â€œThe gas?” Mark asked loudly.
    Isaac scowled and sipped his gin. “None of your business.”
    Mark leaned in to speak quietly. “It is if you’ll need new supplies in London. I’m off soon and I’ll be there a full day ahead.”
    Tell me what you need and it might tell other chemists what you’re up to.
    â€œOh, I’ll have what I need,” Isaac said, with a hint of sly humor.
    Mark would dearly love to question him more, but neither Solange nor the mail could wait. He drained his glass, took leave of the young man, and went upstairs, trying to come up with a devious plan. He failed. Brute force be it, then. He opened the first door he came to. A half-dressed man turned, startled.
    â€œMy apologies!” Mark said, and moved on.
    The next one rattled against a latch and someone called, “What do you want?”
    Mark moved on, hoping that person wouldn’t bother to open the door to look out. The guest didn’t, but luck could last only so far.
    He heard voices in the next room but silence in the one after. He again went in, ready to apologize, and at last found a deserted room. He took a pillowcase off one pillow, rearranged everything, and went on to Solange’s bedchamber. The first danger was that Waite had joined Solange there, but that seemed remote. The next was that he’d lingered in the parlor, with only a thin wall between.
    That was in the lap of the gods.
    Mark approached Solange’s door, unable to slow his heart rate.
    This