Cloaked in Danger by Jeannie Ruesch Page A

not expected her to see me, but I had to try.”
    Adam took the envelope and nodded. Mr. Calebowe shot a final, regretful glance at the now-empty staircase before turning toward the door. Higgins held it open with a stoic expression.
    “Mr. Calebowe?” Adam asked.
    He turned back. “Yes?”
    “How do you know my mother?”
    The corners of his mouth lifted in a sad smile. “I was betrothed to her.”

Chapter Five
    Aria set her reticule on the table by the front door. A yawn escaped, and she jumped a little in place to try and force some energy into her body. She was forever coming and going these days, adhering to the God-awful late hours society kept. She peered out the small window in the front door.
    It was a little past eight and a long evening loomed ahead after a completely fruitless day. It was no wonder society disdained anyone who worked for a living. You could not possibly put in a full day of work in any capacity and then stay out until the morning hours at parties and balls.
    And for what? To mingle with people they’d known all their lives? Where was the adventure in that?
    Aria shook her head. They weren’t terrible people. She was just weary. Of going to balls, of pretending to be something she wasn’t.
    “Ready for this evening, Miss Whitney?” Lady Beasley teetered out of the parlor, sherry in hand. It was at least her third, perhaps more, since her arrival an hour before.
    “Looking forward to it,” Aria replied. “Thank you for acting as my chaperone.”
    Lady Beasley took a lengthy sip. “I am delighted to attend tonight’s performance. I have friends who shall be there.”
    Which meant another evening in which Aria would be free to pursue her own plans. She sent a prayer to the heavens, thankful for tipsy, flighty chaperones.
    A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
    When she opened it, Mr. Patrick Wade stood on their porch, dressed in simple black and dark blue. His kind of handsome was the devastating kind, with a grin full of charm and a smooth manner intended to set one at ease.
    She waited for that feeling to strike her—the same tingle, the awareness that had flooded her around Lord Merewood. But her body felt perfectly normal.
    “You look quite perfect tonight, Miss Whitney—an Incomparable.”
    “Thank you. But I shall be the envy of every woman at Vauxhall simply for the handsomeness of my escort.” She pushed open the door and moved aside. In seconds, he filled the space with a large working man’s frame. Strong, muscular shoulders that hinted of hours of labor, arms and hands that had seen their fair share of toil.
    “Aria, I am not sure this is the—oh. Mr. Wade.” Emily stood on a step, one foot poised to step down and her hand on the rail as if she would turn and run. “Don’t you look dashing this evening.”
    “Mrs. Whitney, you grow more beautiful each time I see you. Lady Beasley, how enjoyable to see you again.”
    Lady Beasley beamed, while Emily playfully batted her hand at him, then rested it on her belly. “Poppycosh, you charmer.”
    “Aria, might we have a moment before you leave?” Emily asked.
    “I have some of the whiskey you so enjoy,” Aria told him and gestured toward the parlor. “Please, help yourself.”
    “I don’t mind if I do.” With a wink, he moved where she’d directed.
    Aria turned to Emily. “What is it? I want to arrive before they light the lamps.”
    “Tell Mr. Wade the truth. Perhaps he can help.”
    “Do you see him attending parties with me? With how he feels about the aristocracy? They’ve done little to earn my respect, but he hates them. And besides, Mr. Wade doesn’t have the connections I need. He’s a merchant. He imports the goods they buy. They would never allow him in their circles.”
    “But he does have business connections. Perhaps there is something—”
    “I don’t need his help, Emily. And the less people involved, the safer Papa is.”
    “You don’t have to handle this alone. Mr.