Marquess of Menace (Lords of Scandal 10)

“What should we do?” Dylan asked. “Once they’re inside, we’ve lost our chance.”

“Let’s do this, then.” Bash stood. “You two stay here.”

Eliza made to protest but Dylan placed his hand on her arm.

The instant Bash stepped out of the shadows, both Dishonor and the other man turned.

Bash held up both his hands. “I’ve come with a warning.”

The Scot turned and left, without a word, Eliza craning her neck to see where he went.

“Where is your friend going?” Bash asked.

Dishonor shrugged. “He’s not ready to meet you.”

“Why not?” Bash stopped, his hand dropping to his hip.

Dishonor shook his head, something dark and unreadable flashing in his eyes. “I didn’t want to reveal myself either. Secrecy is key to safety.”

“That’s what I came to talk with you about.” Bash started moving again. “Last night, Eliza overheard Mr. Taber and another man talking.”

Dishonor’s eyes widened and Eliza shifted. She wanted to be out there too.

“Come inside,” Dishonor said, inserting a key into the lock. Eliza heard it click. “We’ll talk more there.”

Eliza tugged on Dylan’s shirt. “Should we?”

“No,” he answered, lacing his fingers through hers. “As Isabella’s husband, Bash is a partner. He has every right to be here.”

“I have every right to be here,” she fired back.

But Dylan only smiled. “We’ll watch out from here.”

She knew what that meant. They’d allow her to come but they were going to keep her hidden in the shadows. Out of any danger.

She sighed. Men.

She supposed she should be more worried. After last night, she knew caution was important. But she’d also moved them far closer to solving their mystery. “I’ve been relegated to lookout.”

“As have I,” he answered with a smile. “It’s an important job.”

Her brow lifted. “Two lookouts?”

He gave her a wink. “Well, I’m looking out for you. Which in those trousers, is a damn fine job. I’m rather enjoying it.”

That made her smile too. “Want to hear something naughty?”

His gaze darkened as he leaned closer. “From you? Always.”

That made her insides tingle in the nicest way. “Not that kind of naughty. Abigail actually suggested that I stuff a stocking down the front of the…”

But his gaze had grown even darker and he made a low guttural groan that seemed to echo through her body. “Eliza, you are torturing me.”

She wanted to ask him how so, but he leaned down until his lips were only a breath away from hers. “And we’ve yet to finish our conversation last night. About being good for one another.”

She swallowed, letting out a little sigh as she stared at his mouth. “We do need to finish that. Yes.”

He slid his hands down her neck, the light touch of his fingertips causing her to gasp for breath.