And she'd claimed he was alive.

Jesus. Could his brother be alive?


Elizabeth answered the urgent tapping on her bedchamber door. Austin strode inside. "Are we alone?" he asked.

"Yes." She closed the door and looked at him. Her smile immediately faded. "What is wrong?"

"I need to speak with you."

"About what?"

He approached her, halting when only a foot separated them. "Touch me," he whispered. When she hesitated he reached out and grabbed her wrists. "Put your hands on me." He flattened her palms against his shirt and laid his hands on top of hers. "What do you see?"

Confused by his request, but moved by the urgency in his voice, she splayed her fingers over the fine lawn. His heartbeat thumped against her palms. Myriad images flashed through her mind and she closed her eyes, trying to make sense of them. And suddenly she did.

Her eyes flew open. "You discovered something about the gunshot I heard. Someone was shot."

He nodded slowly. "Yes. His name was James Kinney. He was the Bow Street Runner I'd hired to find Gaspard. He had information for me."

"And someone killed him."

"Yes."

"Gaspard?"

"I believe so." He drew a deep breath. "Elizabeth, the night we met you told me William was alive." He pressed her hands more firmly against him. "Are you certain? Can you see him? Can you tell me where he is?"

She went utterly still. For the space of several heartbeats, she stopped breathing and hot tears pushed at her eyes. "Dear God. You believe me. You believe I can see things."

His gaze burned into hers. "Yes, I believe you. There can be no other explanation for the things you know. Can you help me find William?"

"I… I want to, but I don't know if I can. I have little control over the visions. They're unpredictable. Sometimes when I most want to see things, I can't."

"Will you try?"

"Yes. Yes, of course." The quiet desperation in his voice galvanized her to action. Taking his hands, she clasped them between her palms and closed her eyes. She prayed she'd see the answers he sought, but she did not. Determined she concentrated harder, stronger, until her head felt ready to burst. And then she saw it.

Opening her eyes, she looked at his grave face and wished she had better news.

"Did you see anything at all?"

"He's alive, Austin. But… he's in danger."

His face paled. "Where is he?"

"I don't know."

"Is he being held against his will?" "I'm sorry… I cannot say."

He slipped a folded letter from his pocket and handed it to her. "Can you tell anything from this?"

She pressed the vellum between her palms and closed her eyes. "I feel evil. Menace. I feel a connection to William. Whoever wrote this is somehow connected to your brother." She opened her eyes and handed him the letter, which he tucked back into his pocket.

"Did you see anything else?"

"Only a vague impression that we shall soon have to travel somewhere." She studied his face, which appeared set in stone, and her breath caught. "Dear God you're planning to go back to the riverfront."

"I have to. It is more imperative than ever that I find Gaspard."

She nodded slowly. "Very well. But I'm going with you."

"Absolutely not. Gaspard is even more dangerous than I'd thought. I cannot allow-"

"I cannot allow you to go without me. I may be able to sense his presence, and I simply refuse to argue with you. As for the problem of bringing a lady to the riverfront, there is an easy solution."

"There certainly is-leaving you at home."

"I shall disguise myself as a man," she continued as if he hadn't spoken. Taking advantage of his stunned silence, she rushed on, "Don't you see it's a perfect plan? I'm certainly tall enough to pass for a man. All we need to do is dress me appropriately and hide my hair under a hat."

"There is nothing appropriate about that suggestion, Elizabeth."

"It would be inappropriate only if one of us told someone. I have no intention of doing that. Do you?"

"What if someone saw through your disguise?" He shook his head. "Bloody hell, did I actually ask that question? As if I were considering this madness?"

"Are these places well lit?"

"No, but-"

"Are they crowded?"

"Usually, but-"

"Then I see no cause for worry. I shall simply be another man in a semidark, crowded room." She lifted her chin a notch. "Now, how do you propose we go about getting me some gentleman's clothing?"

"I don't recall agreeing to this insane scheme of yours."

"Perhaps not, but I'm certain you meant to." She squeezed his hands. "This will work, Austin. I know it will. I can help you find Gaspard. I can help you find William."

Austin studied her earnest face. Without a doubt, he believed her. She could help him. But he didn't want her help at the price of her safety.

"Let me do this for you," she said quietly. "At least allow me to try. Just once."

He exhaled slowly, hating himself for considering her offer, but unable to disregard it. How could he contemplate turning down an opportunity to find William alive? And to stop Gaspard's schemes?

He fixed his gaze on her. "I suppose we could try-"

"Of course we can."

"You will remain by my side-"

"Every moment. I swear."

"I don't believe you've allowed me to finish a sentence in the last five minutes."

"limmm. You may be right. Of course, look at all the time I've saved us."

Slipping his hands from between hers, he cupped her face. "I won't allow any harm to come to you. I swear it."

A tender smile pulled at her lips. "I know, Austin. I feel perfectly safe with you."

Warmth spread through him at her simple statement. Her obvious faith and trust in him humbled him. And filled him with guilt. Damn it, he was using her, her abilities, to his own end, but he had to find Gaspard. And William. Dear God, William…

"What time do you want to leave this evening?" she asked jerking his thoughts back to the matter at hand.

"My family and Miles are joining us for dinner, although I'm not certain how that came about, and then they are all going to the theater. We'll depart on our mission after they leave."

"Won't they wonder why we're not going to the theater?"

"I doubt it. We're newly married. I'm sure they'll assume we'd rather spend time here by ourselves."

Her cheeks flushed. "You mean they'll think we're…" Her voice trailed off into embarrassed silence.

Stepping closer, he drew her into his arms and pressed his lips to the sensitive skin just below her ear. "Yes, they'll think we're making love."

"How utterly… scandalous. What on earth will your mother think of me?"

"She'll be thrilled that we're getting on so well." He studied her flushed face. "Are you certain you're up to joining me this evening?"

"Of course. You know how robust I am."

"Indeed I do." He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead and stepped back. "Now I must go to Bow Street to report what I know about James Kinney. I'll see you in the drawing room at seven."


* * *

Austin sat through dinner that evening wishing his family would take their leave. He had much to think about, mainly the fact that William was probably alive. And in danger.

How the hell had the military authorities mistaken the matter of his death? Where was he? Was he still engaging in traitorous activities? Ah, William… how did I fail you?

But it was impossible to properly collect his thoughts with his family present. His normally self-contained mother was all but bouncing in her seat at the opposite end of the table, enthusiastically chatting with Elizabeth.

Caroline and Robert were engaged in a lively dis-agreement punctuated by lots of eye rolling and when their mother wasn't looking, stuck-out tongues, a favorite childish gesture neither had outgrown. Austin noticed that Miles was the only silent member of the group, no doubt because the man couldn't wedge a word in anywhere.

The moment the meal ended Austin stood and walked to the foot of the table where Elizabeth sat. "If you'll excuse us, I believe Elizabeth and I shall retire. Enjoy your evening." Holding out his hand he assisted her to her feet, his fingers wrapping around her gloved hand.

Caroline's eyes widened. "Retire? At this hour?"

"Yes," Austin said calmly, purposely ignoring the smirks Miles and Robert weren't even attempting to hide.

"But it's so early! Don't you want-" Caroline's words snapped off and she glared across the table at Robert. "Did you just kick me?"

"Yes. But only because I can't reach you to stuff my napkin in your mouth." He waggled his fingers at Austin, then winked at Elizabeth. "Good night, Austin. Sweet dreams, Elizabeth."

Without further ado, Austin led Elizabeth from the dining room and up the stairs. He didn't pause until he'd closed his bedchamber door behind them. Leaning against it, he surveyed his wife's flaming face.

"Heavens above, I'll never be able to face them again," she said pacing across the rug. "They all think we're doing that?

An overwhelming desire to do that slammed into him like a fist to his gut. He was restless and edgy and the mere thought of touching her ignited him. Pushing away from the door, he walked toward her. As she paced by him, he reached out, snagged her arm, and pulled her against him. Looking into her startled eyes, he murmured "Well, as long as they all think so, we shouldn't disappoint them."

"I thought you wanted to leave as soon as they depart for the theater."

He reached behind her and began unbuttoning her bodice. "I do, but it will take them half an hour to ready themselves. Besides, you need to get into your costume, and as long as you'll be out of this gown, I suggest we make the most of the opportunity." Slipping the last button free, he eased the gown down her arms, then let go. It puddled at her feet.