She wanted to ask him how that would make it a gift from her, but knew that would not lead the conversation in the direction she sought. “I suppose I could, only I’d rather hoped to come up with something myself. A new cravat pin, do you think?”
“I’m sure that would be adequate. I just purchased—”
“Oh, adequate won’t do. Not for Whit. It must be something special. What of new handkerchiefs? I could embroider them.” She shook her head and continued before he could comment. “No, I gave him those two years ago. A fine brandy? Oh, he would adore that. Pity one can’t find some sensibly priced…” She trailed off, as if embarrassed to have mentioned the subject of money. She began to fiddle with one of her pawns. “Never mind. Maybe I should ask Mr. Hunter to help me choose a new epee, instead.”
Lord Martin’s head snapped up. “I can help you.”
“Hmm?” She looked up from her pawn and gave him a distracted and decidedly patronizing smile. “Oh, yes, of course. You’re always so helpful, Lord Martin, thank you. Do you suppose Mr. Hunter knows anything about fencing? A new epee is not so ideal as a fine brandy, but he can’t very well get me that. It will have to be the epee. After dinner, I’ll—”
“I could get you the brandy.”
She went back to fiddling with her pawn. “That’s very nice of you.”
He straightened his padded shoulders. “I could. Reasonably priced.”
She reached over to pat his hand. “Certainly you could.”
“Tomorrow morning. I’ll have it then.”
“I…” She drew her hand away, opened her eyes wide and blinked repeatedly. “You’re quite serious, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“Well, good heavens.” She let her surprised expression grow into a delighted smile. “How wonderful. Oh, how fortunate for me. Lord Martin, this is most generous of you.”
“It’s nothing. Nothing at all.” He waved off her compliment with false modestly. “You’ll…you’ll not ask Mr. Hunter to choose an epee for you?”
“I’ll have no need now, will I?” In truth, she never had. She’d chosen one herself for Whit last year. Just because she had more sense than to try to use one didn’t mean she was completely ignorant of them. Logic such as that would no doubt be lost on Lord Martin. “I can scarce wait to see Whit’s reaction,” she told him instead. “Won’t he be surprised?”
“You mustn’t tell him where you got it,” Lord Martin said sternly. “You mustn’t say a word of this to anyone.”
“Of course not.”
“Good.” He nodded once and leaned over the board a little. “It’s not my secret to tell, you see.”
She didn’t need to affect her shock this time, it was entirely genuine. “It isn’t?”
He shook his head and changed the subject. “Tomorrow morning, meet me at the bench behind the half wall. Do you know the one?”
She nodded, still feeling a trifle bewildered by his secret comment. “Yes, I know it.”
“Excellent. Shall we say five?”
“Five? In the morning?”
He nodded again. “That should give me just enough time. I’ll bring a barrel of brandy, you bring—”
“A barrel? How are you going to bring an entire barrel of brandy?” And what on earth did he expect her to do with it once he had? Hide it in a reticule?
“Oh, right.” A line worked into his brow.
Good heavens, the man was such a twit sometimes. She would have found it impossible to believe he was involved in a smuggling operation if he hadn’t, in that very moment, been offering her smuggled goods.
“Right.” Lord Martin continued. “Just bring the money, then. I’ll—”
He broke off at the sound of Hunter’s voice. “Good morning, Lady Kate, Lord Martin.”
Kate turned away from Lord Martin as Hunter came to stand before them. She’d been so engaged in her small act of espionage, she’d not noticed his entrance. He didn’t appear angry at discovering her in the midst of a chess game with Lord Martin. How lovely he’d not presumed she had orchestrated the game. Pity his good humor with her was sure to be short lived.
His eyes dipped down to the board, and Kate’s lone pawn moved out of its starting position. “My apologies for interrupting what I’m sure is an engrossing match, but Lady Thurston would like a word with you, Lady Kate.”
She searched for a way to indicate that she needed just a few more minutes—a wink or nod or gesture. Surely there was something. To her dismay, the best she could come up with was the question,