I turned toward him eagerly, thankful for the distraction.
“It appears that Lord Shellingham and Mr. Erskine are still as strapped for capital as usual, though there have been a few odd inconsistencies in Mr. Erskine’s spending. Mr. Fergusson, on the other hand, has received two large influxes of cash. But without delving deeper, I can’t tell you whether that’s because he finally gambled and won for once, or if the money came from another source.”
The carriage slowed as it joined the queue of vehicles waiting to drop their occupants off in front of the arched portico of the Assembly Rooms. I lifted the curtain aside to see how far we were from the entrance. It was less than three blocks from Charlotte Square to the Assembly Rooms, and we’d been driving for less than a minute.
“Do you think it’s worth pursuing? Do we think Mr. Fergusson could have arranged the thefts with the assistance of Edinburgh body snatchers himself?”
Gage’s voice was pensive. “Perhaps. Though from what I’ve observed of the man, I don’t think he’s nearly so cautious or calculating. Were he working alone, I think his involvement would be much easier to detect.”
I nodded, adjusting the shawl over my front and pushing back the errant curl from my face.
He watched me with an amused twinkle in his eye. “But I don’t think we should rule out the possibility that all three of them are working together just yet. Shellingham may just be more careful than his cronies. Stop fidgeting,” he ordered, pulling my hand down from my face. “You look lovely. Did I not say so?”
“Yes, well.” I ran my other hand down the soft fabric of the shawl. “Perhaps you’re just being polite.”
Gage lowered his head, arching a single eyebrow at me. “I was not being polite.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “And you know it.”
My gaze dropped to his lips. “Well, maybe.” I turned away. “I know I’ll at least not embarrass myself, or anyone else. Alana and Bree made sure of that.”
Gage lifted his gloved fingers to my chin, turning my face to force my gaze back to his. His eyes searched my own, and I was sure he saw every thought that was swirling through my head, even though I tried to hide them. “Kiera, you could never embarrass me.” My face must have looked as skeptical as I felt, for he leaned even closer, almost touching his forehead to mine. “You couldn’t.” He searched my eyes deeper. “Is that what you thought I was saying earlier? Why I was pushing you to defend yourself?”
I closed my eyes, unwilling to continue to meet his gaze, not with all the emotions churning around inside me. They were too close to the surface, too easy for him to read, and I felt vulnerable in a way I hadn’t for a very long time.
“Kiera,” he whispered, his voice filled with sorrow. He gently pressed a kiss between my eyes. His clothing rustled as he looked away, likely to see how much progress our carriage had made. “This isn’t the time, although we are going to discuss this later. But Kiera . . .” He paused, waiting for me to open my eyes.
I blinked trying to bring him into focus, his face was so close to mine.
“You are beautiful,” he told me earnestly. “Your dress this evening just accentuates that.”
A warmth began to spread in my midsection at his words, but before I could thank him, the carriage halted and the door was thrown open. Gage disembarked first, allowing me a moment to compose myself, so that when he reached inside to help me down, I felt almost all the emotions he’d stirred up were safely packed away. All except an elation I could feel radiating from my smile, especially when he met my grin with one of his own.
We passed beneath the arches and then in through the open doors. Our coat and shawl having been checked, we climbed the stairs toward the sound of music spilling out of the ballroom above. The staircase and foyers above and below were filled with ladies and gentlemen adorned in their evening attire, laughing and chattering and sipping glasses of champagne or punch.
Half a dozen people called out to Gage or crossed the foyer to greet him, exclaiming over his injury. They all eyed me with a blatant curiosity that swiftly turned to shocked bewilderment after we’d been introduced. I suspected word of Sebastian Gage’s arrival with the infamous Lady Darby on his arm would have made its way around the assembly before we ever reached the ballroom. I waved politely to the few people I was acquainted with through my sister, and while they replied in kind, none of them hurried to greet me.