Midnight Jewel (The Glittering Court #2)(53)

I darted down the steps, feeling horrible for leaving her without a real explanation. But I had to know why Grant was here.

It took some time to work my way through the packed room. A few guests regarded me with interest, but it was Aiana and the Thorns I needed to dodge. They were the ones who maintained my schedule here, and they’d know slipping out the back door wasn’t part of the agenda.

I managed it unnoticed and found myself back in the holding room, which was mostly deserted, except for a couple of other laborers bringing in barrels of ale and wine. None of them was Grant, and I wondered where he’d gone.

“Here she is, the sensation of the night.”

I spun around and found Grant standing right behind me. He was in the disguise he’d worn at our first meeting but spoke to me in his regular voice. “What are you doing here? Checking up on me?”

“Checking up on everyone.” The fleeting, upbeat Grant was gone. He was on the hunt again, focused and to the point. “You and your friends might be the alleged attraction, but this is the type of event that throws the rich and powerful together. It’s a great chance to watch and see who’s chummy with who.”

“Whom,” I said. “Who’s chummy with whom.”

“Don’t correct me on your second language.”

“Isn’t it your second language too?”

“I’ve been speaking it longer.”

“Well, I’ve been studying its grammar longer. Look, it doesn’t matter. And I can tell you two people who are chummy. Cornelius Chambers and Abraham Miller.”

“I already know that. They run in the same circles.”

“Did you know Cornelius is having a poker game after the ball?”

“People like me don’t make those kinds of guest lists.”

“Abraham Miller does. He’ll be there. Late. And his town house will be all alone.”

Understanding flashed across his face. “Mirabel . . .”

“You can thank me later. Stop moving chairs, and get over there.”

He sighed, hope fading. “If only. That’s a two-person job, and Silas is still away. You did good work, though.”

“Then let me do more,” I blurted out. “Take me along.” Aiana’s disapproving face flitted through my mind, and I promptly disregarded it.

“No.”

“When are you going to get an opportunity this good? And you know I can handle myself.”

“Handle yourself? Sneaking into Cape Triumph isn’t the same as breaking and entering.”

“I did it on the ship. Remember? When I effortlessly uncovered all your secrets?”

“Don’t even start.” He looked me over, and I could almost see his thoughts spinning. This was a good opportunity, one he desperately wanted. “You’re a little overdressed. Or maybe underdressed? That bodice looks . . .”

“Distracting?” I suggested.

“Cold.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll change so that you can focus on the job.”

“As if I’d— Look, this is serious. Miller lives in an upscale part of the city. His building is guarded, and the militia tends to patrol there more than other places. They’re bribed to. We’ve got to be careful.”

“Then we’d better make the most of our time. I’ll sneak out of the house like I did before.” I reconsidered, thinking about the long trip to and from Wisteria Hollow. “Actually . . . I’ll just save us the time and slip away as soon as this wraps up.”

“You don’t think they’ll notice they’re one girl short? They watch your every move. I’ve seen it tonight. Aiana never takes her eyes off you or the other two she’s in charge of.”

“Well, she obviously did for me to get back here. I’m telling you, don’t worry. I’ll find a way to change and sneak out. That’s not your problem. And I’ll leave her a note. Just so she doesn’t worry or report me missing.”

He gave an exasperated sigh, but I knew he’d already caved. “Great. Then I’m the one Aiana comes after and yells at tomorrow. There are a lot of words for ‘idiot’ and ‘bastard’ in our language, and she knows them all. I even think she invented some.”

“That,” I said, “is your problem.”





CHAPTER 14


THE END OF THE BALL WAS CHAOTIC—WHICH WAS PERFECT for me. Once the official dance schedule ended, brazen suitors tried to catch our girls’ attention for a quick, last-minute conversation or compliment. I managed to obtain a scrap of paper and scrawled G.E. on it. Aiana was tied up with a group of men all trying to talk to her at once. Some complained about their dance cards, and others wanted to schedule future meetings. All the chaperones were in similar situations. I got someone to deliver my note to her, and then I darted out of the main hall. She would understand the meaning, but I doubted she’d be able to break free fast enough to stop me. I was also certain she’d cover for me—but wouldn’t be happy about it.

The back room was empty, but the door had been propped open, revealing lingering mercenaries and the arrival of our coaches. Mistress Culpepper had had extra boxes of dresses and accessories brought along, just in case, and I was relieved to see they hadn’t been loaded up yet. It was going to get very busy back here, very quickly, and I immediately began rummaging through the boxes’ contents. Finding a blonde wig similar to my last one was easy. But inconspicuous clothes were harder to locate. I finally stripped off my elaborate overdress and decided to just wear the opaque black chemise underneath. I managed to locate gloves and a velvet mask but no suitable cloak. Desperate and pressed for time, I snatched up a wide, burlap tarp and draped it over my head and body like a cloak, pinning it with a spare broach. I rolled up the overdress into a big satin bundle that I carried under my arm. I tried not to think about the wrinkles.