Henrietta’s worst nightmare had come to life. Her smile felt brittle and forced after an evening of entertaining the most aggressive and persistent bachelors of the ton. All except for one.

“My, but you are popular this evening,” Mary said when she was once more deposited at her friend’s side.

Henrietta fanned herself, hiding her irritation at this newfound popularity and to cool herself after yet another set dancing. “That viscount is entirely too persistent,” she said.

Mary laughed. “Whatever perfume you are wearing, I would like to borrow it.”

Henrietta felt a smile tugging at her lips. “You are hardly lacking for dance partners, dear.”

Mary sighed. “Yes, but not one who makes my heart flutter with excitement.”

She stared at her friend. “Is that what you want? A heart flutter? That sounds like it could be dangerous to your health.”

Mary laughed again. “Oh Henri, how are you even less of a romantic than I am?”

“More experience to draw from,” she said. “One of the many benefits of being older.”

Mary let out an unladylike snort of amusement. “You make it sound like you are an old lady. You are hardly on the shelf, as the gentlemen here this evening seem to realize.”

Henri scowled at her friend. It was true. At first she’d thought she’d been imagining it, but as the night progressed there was no denying something had changed. She’d been the object of attention for every eligible bachelor in attendance. Her gaze moved over the crowd—all except one.

There he was, on the other side of the ballroom, speaking with his sister and a lady she recognized but did not know well. Lady Penelope. Henri frowned at the sight of the pretty young lady. She’d be an excellent match for the earl, as her mother no doubt knew. Her mother hovered behind them looking insufferably smug. Yes, that mother knew exactly how well the two would suit each other. But then again, she’d bet all the money she had neither Lady Penelope nor her mother knew the full truth about the man who was Alistair Merrywether, Earl of Colefax.

At that moment, Alistair turned his head and his gaze clashed with hers, making her heart leap in her chest. His stare had locked on her as though he’d felt her scrutiny, or as though he could sense her presence across the room. There was that fluttering feeling Mary had mentioned. That was nothing more than nerves at work. It was the thrill of the hunt. She smiled at the thought and watched his eyes narrow in return. So much was conveyed without either of them saying a word.

“Who are you staring at?” Mary asked. And then added, “Oh. I see.”

She most definitely did not see, despite her knowing tone. The silly girl likely thought she was enamored of the mysterious earl. Mary had teased Henrietta to no end after he’d left their home the other week. She’d gone along to visit the earl’s sister, Lizzie, willingly enough, but it hadn’t escaped Mary’s attention through all the endless chatter that she’d managed to glean quite a bit of information about Alistair. Poor Mary thought it was all in the name of love.

Henri had learned nothing of consequence, necessarily, but enough for her to start digging in earnest. She had gleaned the location of their family home where they were raised, the name of their neighbors, the names of the servants, and more, from Lizzie. Nothing to arouse suspicion unduly, but enough. More than enough to get started.

She turned to give Mary a withering glare that only made her young friend laugh. When she turned back, Alistair’s gaze was no longer on her. He whispered something to his sister and then he backed away. He was heading her way.

She tried not to fidget. It took all of her focus, but she kept her hands still and forced her breathing to remain even. She managed to make some useless chit-chat with Mary and her friend Georgie, the Duchess of Roxborough, who had come to join them. All the while, she was aware of Alistair making his way toward her in the crowd.

When he reached her side, she was ready for him. “Good evening, my lord,” she said sweetly, with a smile that bordered on simpering. Let him think he had won their battle. Let him think her chastened and beaten. It was all the better for her mission.

She did not yet know for certain what the earl was hiding, but there was no doubt he had secrets. The more she dug, the clearer it became that he was frequently not where he was supposed to be. He traveled extensively, but his actual whereabouts were vague, if known at all.

The reason for all this travel was consistently chalked up to business. But once again, when prodded it became clear that his friends, family, and associates all seemed rather hazy on the details of this important business that had him traveling to and fro.

His family was involved in shipping, that much she had gathered, but once again the details were shrouded in mystery.

For a man she’d long thought to be profoundly boring, he was proving to be more and more of a mystery with each new revelation…or lack thereof.

The mystery man in question now bowed over her hand without a word, and when he stood his answering grin was wicked. There was no other word for it. Suspicion made her belly tighten, and curiosity made her breath hitch in her throat as she beheld gleam in his eyes.

“How are you enjoying your evening?” he asked.

She narrowed her eyes slightly at the amusement in his tone. His expectant pause, the way he leaned in toward her—all of it put her on edge. What was he about? He was up to something and she needed to know what it was like she needed air to breathe. The thought prompted an idea she acted on before she thought it through. “I need air.”

Mary turned toward her. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, fanning herself more vigorously. For such a brisk evening, the ballroom was stiflingly hot. Too many bodies crammed together while dancing tended to have that effect. She glanced up at the earl through her lashes. “Would you be so kind as to escort me to the balcony?”

His lips twitched with mirth as he bent his head and held out his arm. “It would be my pleasure.”

He led her through the crowd in silence and she waited until they were in the doorway, well within view of the partygoers before speaking. “You seem pleased with yourself.”

He tipped his head back with a low laugh that made her insides squirm with delight and wariness. Was there a word for that particular mix of sensations? If not, someone should invent one, and it should be coined after the spirit of this man. A man who was so proper he was tedious—except that he wasn’t. He was a mystery, and there was little she loved more than a mystery.

When his laughter faded, he met her gaze, but a self-satisfied smile still lingered. “And you,” he said slowly. “You do not beat about the bush, do you?”

She cocked her head to the side. “I am afraid not.” That was a bit of a lie. “Not, at least, when we can be plain with one another.”

He leaned in slightly, and his scent made her dizzy. If male heat and magnetism could be put into a cologne, this scent was surely it. “Tell me,” he said softly. “Do you believe we share that sort of intimacy?”

She would not blush. There was no way she would give him the satisfaction, but her body did not listen. She felt the heat in her belly rise at the sound of his deep voice, spreading like warm honey through her limbs and up her neck. It was a cold evening, so she no longer had to feign being overheated. She bristled as his smile became a smirk.

“On the contrary,” she said, her tone light despite the tension within her. “It is not intimacy we share.” She paused to give him a small smile of her own. “Just secrets.”

That had the desired effect. His demeanor shifted so quickly her head spun. The quick turn from pompous dandy to dangerous opponent was further confirmation there was more to this man than he let on. There was so much more, and she aimed to find out what.

As a rule, she tried not to show her hand too early, but Alistair was an exception in every way. The primary difference between him and her other prey was that he already knew about her hand in Rodrick’s gambling. Playing the fool would do her no good with this man.

His eyes had turned hard and his nostrils flared as his eyes raked over her, taking in her dark blue gown and her blonde locks. “Whatever it is you think you know, you are mistaken.” She opened her mouth to protest, but stopped and blinked in surprise when he reached out and grabbed her upper arm. “You are playing a dangerous game, my lady,” he said.

Her smile turned caustic. “That is where you are wrong, my lord.”

He narrowed his eyes, but that only proved to her that she was on the right track. “I never play games,” she said. “This is not frivolous entertainment for me, Lord Colefax.”

“Nor for me,” he said with a growl as he leaned down toward her until he blocked her view of the door and the night sky. “What do you want? Is it money?”

She drew in a deep breath. “Money is not the only motivation in the world. I would think you, of all people, would understand that.”

His eyes opened wider and his lips quivered as he pressed them together in a fine line. She was playing with fire. She was toying with him, pressing for weaknesses. From what she’d gathered to date, she knew his so-called business was not the reason he traveled. It was a ruse, but for what she did not know. Perhaps he was a spy, or perhaps he ran an underground business.

One thing she deduced, from his personality and from speaking to those who knew him best, was that he was a noble man. He gave to charities, anonymously and on behalf of his family. He was beloved in the area where he grew up because he took care of everyone. He did it all with little fuss and no boasting.

The more she’d learned about him the more irritated she was by him. She was looking for reasons to hate him, trying to find his weaknesses. All men had them, and so must he. However, the deeper she dug, the more she had to give him her grudging respect. Damn, but it would be so much easier to stop thinking about those warm brown eyes and those ruggedly handsome features if she could turn up his deep, dark secret.

He released her arm and took a step away. While his grip had not been rough, his hand had been strong and warm, and the loss of his touch left her feeling lonelier than she could ever have imagined. It was a new feeling, and she did not like it.

She felt lonely while listening to the sounds of the revelers inside. Lonely, though there were others on the patio and her friends were steps inside the door, watching her. Rodrick had joined Mary and her friend, and the three of them were watching her so closely she forced a smile to go along with her wave. Nothing to see here, friends. I’m merely toying with a mystery man who could well be the devil for all I know. Though so far, he seemed more like a saint.

“I will not threaten a lady,” he said quietly. Despite his words, his voice held a threat. Perhaps not so much a threat as a warning. “But I will not sit back and let you meddle in business that does not concern you.”

She straightened at the condescending tone. “It might not concern me, but now it’s clear that it’s worth something to you.”

He gritted his teeth. “I thought you said you do not want money.”

She tilted her head to the side. “I always want money, Alistair. Money is power, but so is knowledge.”

He did not flinch at her use of his given name. But then, he was the one who’d teased her about their level of intimacy. It was time to show this man she would not cower before him simply because he growled and made veiled threats.

“Power,” he repeated. “Is that what this is about for you?”

The disdain in his eyes had her shifting before him uncomfortably. Yes. The answer was yes. Money and family connections were all well and good, but true power came from intimate knowledge of each piece on the chessboard—their weaknesses and their goals. Did he not see that? Did he not see why a lady such as herself would want to be in control of her own life and destiny?

They faced one another in taut silence, and for a moment, she found it difficult to remember he was her adversary. Like in the ballroom, there seemed to be a communication going on between them. It was a battle of wills, and a connection that was unspoken and impossible to explain.

When he reached a hand out and his fingers gently traced her jaw, she let out a sigh. His gaze darkened and he tugged at one of her locks. He shifted toward her and she moved back. They moved seamlessly together as though they were on the dancefloor. The music started up again and several of the guests on the patio went back inside as he turned her so she was behind the open door, hidden from plain view.

“Ladies have other ways of obtaining power over men.” His knuckles grazed her cheek, and her retort caught in her throat. His eyes were so dark, so full of promise and danger.

“What exactly are you implying?” she managed to say as she exhaled.

His hand dropped and his gaze turned so cold for a moment she’d thought she’d imagined the heat she’d seen there. “Marriage.”

The word was a douse of cold water in her face and it filled her veins with ice. “Pardon me?”

He shifted backward slightly and she could breathe again. “Marriage.” He said it so easily, so casually. “I believe it’s a common practice these days,” he said. His lips twitched upward, and despite the intimacy of their moment, despite the tension and earlier anger, she could have sworn he was teasing her.

She pressed her lips together as his meaning became clear. “You truly believe marrying would give me the sort of comfort and safety I require for my family?”

He arched one brow in answer. “Would it not?”

She swallowed down her anger, and something else. It was disappointment, perhaps. She’d thought, for whatever reason, this man knew her better. “Marriage is not in the cards for me.”

“Isn’t it?”

Now she was certain he was teasing her. That earlier amusement was back and it set off bells of warning in the back of her mind. It also had her reevaluating this bizarre evening. Gentlemen she’d effectively turned off years ago were suddenly fawning over her with renewed vigor. That lecherous old Baron Johnson had insinuated he’d give her a second chance. She’d gagged at the thought of it. Then there was the beautiful but dim Lord Crawford, who had hounded her for a dance.

This was not the work of a full moon, and there was certainly no special perfume as Mary had indicated. “I take it you are to thank for my sudden popularity among the more marriageable of the ton,” she said drily.

His answering grin was wolfish and triumphant. She hated the direct effect it had on her heartbeat. She wanted to smack it from his face and kiss him until he smiled at her like that again, but for an entirely different reason, and not because he was pushing her into the arms of another man.

“You wish to see me marry another?” She said it blandly, without emotion, and watched the sudden shift in him. The amusement was temporarily tempered by something darker and far more lethal.

Then it was gone and he appeared as nonplussed as she. “I wish to keep you safe.”

She let out a huff of bitter amusement. Safe in his eyes meant marrying some boring, old gentleman. That much was clear. “Are your secrets so dangerous?”

His gaze searched her face and that was her answer. Yes. They were.

Interesting. She drew in a deep breath, steeling her expression so he would not see how much that intrigued her. “I hardly see how it is your responsibility to see to my safety.”

His gaze met hers. “Someone ought to.”

Why not you? The words were there, on her tongue, but she bit them off. Even in jest, they were dangerous. There was something here between them, that much was clear. It was physical and it was powerful, but it was not romance. It could never be romance. He clearly wanted no part of her and her intrigues, and she had sworn off marriage years ago.

She gave him a coy smile. “I suppose I ought to thank you for sending those gentlemen my way.”

His brows hitched up in surprise. “Oh?” Suspicion filled his eyes, along with what she swore was a flicker of jealousy. “So you have decided it is time to marry, after all?”

She laughed. “Of course not. But that does not mean I don’t have a use for them.”

His eyes narrowed and he leaned in closer. They were out of view of the party inside. That alone would have ruined her if discovered, but what she alluded to…well, she was crossing a line even she hadn’t thought to cross. “You wouldn’t,” he said.

It was too tempting. His veiled threat—the promise of retaliation, it called to her. It was a dare and she could not resist. “Wouldn’t what?” she said, teasing. “Take a lover?”

He growled and she shivered in response. She leaned in as well, until she could feel his breath against her cheek. “Why shouldn’t I?”

He let out another low, rumbling growl before pulling her to him and kissing her. For all her talk, she was inexperienced. She’d never even been kissed. Heat coursed through her, and her body burst into flames at the feel of his hard body pressed to hers. His lips were warm and firm, and they moved over her with a powerful confidence that left her gasping for air.

He took advantage, sliding his tongue between her parted lips and claiming her mouth as though he had every right. It was as though she belonged to him and him alone. When he finally released her, she fought to catch her breath, her gaze colliding with his. He seemed as shocked as she, as if he hadn’t meant to kiss her. Maybe he was shocked by its intensity. This, she knew, was not like any other kiss. This man was like none she’d ever met.

“Go back inside,” he said with an air of command in his voice. “Gossip with your friends, and flirt with the gentlemen who only see that artful smile and your perfect façade. Go ahead and toy with the ton, and place bets while hiding behind your brother.” He leaned in close and she saw that the fiery passion in his gaze had turned to fury. “But steer clear of me and my family.”

She blinked in the face of his anger, but she held her chin up high. “Or what?”

He shook his head. “You’re playing with fire, Henri.”

It was the use of her nickname that made her heart beat faster. For the life of her, she could not tell if she was drawn to him or repelled, if she wanted to fight him or throw herself into his arms. Her head was still spinning from the kiss, but she managed to keep her voice even and her smile smug. “Then it is a good thing I am made of ice, Alistair.”

Despite her overwhelming urge to retreat to her home, Henri dutifully stayed, rustling her skirts as she made her way through the ballroom. Her encounter with Alistair had left her shaken, though the last thing she wanted was for him to see that. Therefore, she had to mingle and leave with her head held high.

It took only a matter of minutes before she was again approached by a gentleman, but this time, she did not find his attention completely unwelcome. It was not his looks nor his charm, but his position. He was not an earl or a duke. No, he was much more useful. When Admiral Oliver Lonnegan approached, she flashed her most alluring smile and lowered her eyes as if playing coy.

Lonnegan was an older man, and did not hold a title beyond his rank as admiral from his days in service of the crown. However, he was welcome in polite society as he held friendships with many titled families. He was not necessarily a handsome fellow, but he was not unseemly either. Henri did not fancy him in any way, but she knew an opportunity when she saw one. If anyone knew what was going on with Alistair’s family, it was he. He’d made a living working at sea and knew far more than she about the shipping industry, of that she was certain.

“Lady Henrietta,” he said, offering her a smart bow. “You seem flush. May I offer you a refreshment?”

Henri narrowed her eyes as she studied him for a moment. “I fear it is quite stuffy in here. And please, call me Henri.”

“Henri, then.” His smile was one of surprise at her boldness. They had met before but had hardly become so well acquainted as to be on an intimate given name basis.

But then, there was a time and place for modesty—and this was not it.

He offered his arm. “May I escort you to the balcony for some air? I see our hostess is out there with her husband; it would be quite proper.”

Inwardly, Henri rolled her eyes. Proper. How exceedingly dull that sounded. But her smile was genuine as she murmured her assent and took his proffered arm.

He could not have offered a better solution. She needed to have this man’s ear, if only for a few minutes. The game she played with Alistair was about to get more dangerous, there was no doubt about that. A man with secrets was a man with something to protect, which meant he was a man to be reckoned with.

She was in too far now to back down, even if she wanted to, which she did not. Backing down was not in her personality. No, what she needed was to get the upper hand, and she needed information to do it.

The admiral was taller than she. He smiled down at her. His smile was pleasant and friendly. “I’ll pass on the drink, but some air would be lovely.”

Once outside, Henri exchanged pleasantries with their hosts, and then stepped away, fully hoping her conversation with the admiral would be private.

“Please tell me more about yourself,” she said, batting her lashes at him. She rolled her eyes at herself when he was not looking. Being this straightforward was not her typical method for investigating. On top of that, she simply wasn’t much of a flirt and had no stomach for it. However, she had to use every opportunity to learn more about Alistair’s family. After a rather lengthy discourse on the good admiral’s career in the navy, the topic finally turned to something useful when he mentioned that his current work had him overseeing the docks.

She blinked in surprise. “That hardly seems to be a place for a man of your rank and standing.”

He grinned, clearly pleased. “No, perhaps not. But London is my home now, or at least it will be once I retire from the military.” His gaze met hers directly. “At that point I hope to find myself a wife and start a family.”

She forced her smile to remain in place, as though she could not pick up on his less than subtle meaning. Polite and stupid, that was her. “And at that point you wish to use your experience to work for the port authorities?”

He tipped his chin down. “A man like me never truly retires, you know. Besides, that port is in worse condition than it’s ever been.” He shook his head in dismay.

She licked her lips as she tried to think of a way to bring up Colefax and his family’s business. A part of her feared that her prying would only serve to extend this tedious conversation even longer.

“There must be some pressure to make the docks safe,” she said. “What with the high-standing families who’ve invested in shipping fleets, and all that.”

He made a hmph noise that hinted at derision. “Oh yes, even the most polished families have dipped their toes in those waters.”

“With shipping,” she guessed.

“And privateering,” he added. “That’s a lucrative business, you know.”

And just like that it fell into place. Without even having to mention the Colefax name, she had her answer. Privateering. Was that the secret his family was keeping?

Her chest deflated with disappointment. While it might be something a proud man such as Colefax might not want bandied as common knowledge, it was hardly the scandal she had been seeking.

The admiral did not seem to notice that her interest in the conversation had waned significantly.

“But it’s not the pressure from above that has me taking an interest in our port, Henri.” His voice held a note of condescension that made her bristle. He leaned in as though letting her in on a secret. “Far worse dangers exist, I fear. There is suspected criminal activity that needs to be ousted once and for all.”

She tried to look impressed but feared she failed. “Isn’t there always?”

Everyone had heard about the gangs that roamed the docks and stole from the cargo ships. This was hardly news.

“Most assuredly,” he said. “But this is different. There’ve been sightings of a notorious pirate ship heading our way.”

She blinked at him. Surely he was exaggerating to impress her. “Pirates?” she repeated. “Surely they are not a problem in this day and age.”

His thick brows rose and she pressed her lips together in annoyance at his superior air. “One would think, but they still do cause trouble, though not typically in these parts.”

“I see,” she said. She did see. He was trying to impress her, the poor fool. Really. Talk of pirates as if to entertain a child.

His brows drew down to a solemn frown and he dropped his voice to a low murmur. “I fear this new activity might be tied to a prominent family.”

“Oh?” Her interest was officially piqued again. Henri did not miss the way he glanced around him, as if hoping no one else could hear them. “Which family?”

“That I cannot say,” he said with a sigh. “Certainly the unseemly will always operate outside the confines of propriety, but this feels different. There’s a band of pirates out there who seem to have private funding and inside information that could only be coming from above, if you know what I mean.”

Her heartbeat quickened because, yes, indeed she did understand his meaning. Of course, it was hardly evidence. It was by no means enough to lord over an enemy. But it was something. And more than that, it energized some part of her—that same intuition she’d relied on earlier. The instincts that told her when a man had secrets or when a bet was ready to be made.

“Tell me more about the docks,” she said, simpering now, hoping against hope that he would take her quickened breathing to be a sign of another type of excitement altogether. “It must be dangerous there. I find the area quite intriguing.”

The admiral wiped his brow with a handkerchief and his whole demeanor shifted to one of paternal concern. “Oh no, the docks are no place for a lady such as yourself. There are all sorts of criminals down there.”

“I fear that is true,” she said, frustration flaring with the direction of the conversation. The admiral was no different than the rest, treating her as if such matters were too much for her dainty mind. “I’ve taken an interest in doing some charity work at the orphanage down there. If there is a particular danger I should worry about, I’d be interested in hearing more.”

“I see,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. “Surely you have an escort when you go in that direction?”

“Of course,” she said. She so hated when ladies hid their faces behind fans as if overwhelmed with such subjects, but for the first time, she wished she’d had the gumption to do so without feeling trite and ridiculous. If anything, her expression might give away her irritation. “My brother takes his duties seriously.”

“Still, these pirates would not hesitate to…hurt you, my lady.”

Henri did not miss the growl in his voice. “You certainly seem upset.”

“I take my duties seriously, and I’ll admit that I take personal affront at their presumption. There’ve even been sightings of the crew along the Thames.” He puffed up his chest. “To think of the gall, showing up in London while they steal and raid out there at sea. They’ve no sense of decency, this crew.”

She pressed on, hoping to steer the conversation back to the interesting bits. “If perhaps a prominent family does have dealings with pirates… Why, that would be quite a scandal. Don’t you think?” She spoke sweetly while her mind spun with wild theories and speculation.

It all seemed rather farfetched, really. She knew Colefax held secrets, but this? It was one thing to hide some family embarrassment, like a bastard child or sibling, but it was quite another to engage in something so criminal.

“It would indeed be scandalous,” he agreed with a frown. “Though that is not my concern. I detest the lawlessness we’ve seen much of lately. I wish to make the docks safer for those who wish to conduct proper business, you see.”

“I do,” she said. He had told her what she needed. It was time to cut the admiral loose. “And I fear it is time to gather my household and retire for the evening. It has been a long day, Admiral.”

“Lady Henri—that is, Henri…” he started.

She held her breath, wondering if he’d escort her back to the ballroom, or if he’d insist on something as mundane as a dance before she left. She was eager to get home so she might have some time alone with her thoughts. “Admiral?” she prompted.

“I’d be happy to escort you back and see you off. I would like to ask for a boon, however...”

There it was. Cringing inwardly, she wondered what price she’d be expected to pay for this conversation. “Oh? And what would that be?”

His eyes crinkled up and lit with laughter. “I’d love your company at the upcoming musicale at the Barnards’ residence. Might I see you there?”

Henri let out the breath she had not realized she was holding in. She had already promised that silly dandy Lord Crawford she would attend, and she had it on good authority that Colefax would also be there. And now this admiral with his intriguing knowledge? A genuine smile tugged at her lips. “I would not miss it for the world.”