Always a Temptress by Eileen Dreyer Page B

Peninsula, the saint of Salamanca, finally brought down a peg or two.
    Climbing to her feet, she began to pace. No, she couldn’t do it. Not because she didn’t want to hurt Harry. She did, especially after his behavior since they’d been here. But after all she’d been through, she refused to put herself in the position of being a victim ever again, even for the satisfaction of seeing Harry’s downfall. She simply couldn’t allow him to hurt her.
    She would allow Barbara to do the job. For some reason, Kate trusted the woman’s knowing smile and quiet strength. Besides, if Kate understood correctly, with the search came access to her trunks. There was extra traveling money tucked beneath a false bottom that would ease her way.
    And so it was that when the bar across the door slid back and the door opened, Kate was patiently waiting in her chair as if expecting visitors in her salon.
    Barbara smiled as she stepped in, her expression apologetic. “I am sorry to bother you, your…Lady Kate,” she said, her accent stronger than before.
    “Barbara, there you are,” Kate said, climbing to her feet. “If you’ll bring in my luggage and close the door, we can get on with this.”
    She had obviously surprised the woman, because for a moment Barbara couldn’t seem to do more than stare, her hands clasped together at her waist.
    “And find me a screen, please.”
    Schroeder frowned. “But, Lady Kate…”
    Kate elevated an eyebrow. “Those are my terms, Barbara. Would you really prefer to wrestle a duchess to the ground just to see her titties?”
    Schroeder had the grace to look uncomfortable. “I was instructed to…completely disrobe you, Your…Lady Kate. Just in case you were hiding something beneath.”
    Kate looked down at her dress. “Where? What do you think I did, tattoo the verse across my stomach?”
    Still Schroeder didn’t move. Standing before Kate, she seemed implacable. But since she was also the head of the group of servants Diccan had collected to gather information, Kate hoped the woman was professional enough to see the benefits of compromise.
    “Please, Barbara,” Kate nudged. “I would rather have this done before Harry comes storming back in here.”
    Evidently Barbara agreed with Kate, because after another small hesitation, she bobbed a curtsy, smiled, and turned for the door.
    In only minutes, Kate was changed and her travel clothing carried away to be picked through. “Does this satisfy you?” she asked as she rebraided her hair.
    “I wasn’t the…” Barbara stopped short and shook her head, as if losing an argument with herself. “Yes, Lady Kate,” she said instead with a brisk bob. “Thank you. Would you like a bit of tea?”
    “Ah.” Kate nodded. “With cooperation comes reward? Yes, come to think of it, I would love tea. I believe I am half starved.”
    Again Barbara betrayed a flicker of surprise. Probably because she expected Kate to continue waging her war. After all, according to Harry, if nothing was found, Kate wasn’t going home. What neither Harry nor Barbara knew was that Kate was, indeed, going home. She might as well sustain herself for the trip.
    “Yes, my lady.” With a final curtsy, she walked out.
    Left behind, Kate wasted no time opening her trunk and pulling out the contents. Her money was beneath the false bottom. It wouldn’t do for anyone to know. Or to know that in five minutes it would be hidden under the loose floorboard alongside her candles. For the first time since tumbling into her coach, Kate felt a sliver of hope.
     
    * * *
    Nothing. Not so much as a scrap of lint. Harry went through Kate’s clothing as thoroughly and meticulously as if it had been a battle plan. He ran his fingers over every inch of material, from the bright yellow twill of her carriage gown to the silk of her stockings to the lawn of her chemise. Mudge offered to help, but Harry growled at him and the boy retreated. If there was evidence here of a crime, he wanted to