A Match of Wits by Jen Turano Page A

do. Quite frankly, I have no idea how I’m going to keep her alive once we reach New York.”
    “The threats to her are really that severe?”
    Mr. Blackheart’s almost pleasant expression immediately changed to menacing. “Forgive me, Mr. Beckett, but you’ve spent a great deal of time with Miss Watson during the past two weeks. Surely she explained the threats that have been made against her.”
    “She did mention that someone wants to kill her.”
    “And?”
    “Well, that was about it.”
    “You didn’t press her for details?”
    “No, I didn’t, because right after she mentioned the threats I realized she was trying to manage me, and . . . I suppose I didn’t take the time to sufficiently sort out the idea that she truly is in serious danger.”
    “You do remember, even though Miss Watson is a progressive sort, that she’s a lady, don’t you?”
    “What’s your point?”
    “Even if you realized she was trying to manage you, Miss Watson, as I’m sure you remember, doesn’t lie. She might exaggerate the details of a situation, but she puts her dainty foot down at speaking an untruth.”
    “I have no idea where you’re going with this.”
    “You should have shown her concern. Ladies, whether they be independent or not, like to know we gentlemen will do everything in our power to keep them safe.”
    “Our conversation went downhill rapidly when I started laughing and she got testy, but . . . ” Zayne paused as an intriguing thought sprang to mind. “You’re right. Agatha is a lady, which means”—he caught Mr. Blackheart’s gaze—“we need to find her a man.”
    Mr. Blackheart blinked, just once. “I beg your pardon?”
    Pushing himself up in the chair, Zayne rubbed his hands together. “A man, that’s exactly what Agatha needs. Someonestrong, possessed of a great deal of patience, and . . . well . . . I suppose he’ll have to be somewhat attractive.”
    He looked Mr. Blackheart up and down. “Hmm . . . you’re a man, and you’ve put up with Agatha for an entire year and haven’t killed her yet, so . . . you’ll do nicely.”
    “I don’t think I like the direction this conversation is taking.”
    Zayne ignored him. “It’s genius, sheer genius. If Agatha settled down to a more traditional life, she’d no longer be running amok looking for riveting stories or trying to save wounded gentlemen. The danger that constantly seems to stalk her would simply go away.”
    “Miss Watson has never been traditional, nor do I think she has any desire to become so.”
    “That is exactly why you’d be a perfect candidate. You understand her, but you’re a strong man, so you wouldn’t get browbeaten into agreeing to her madcap plans.”
    “Really, Mr. Beckett, you’ve heard some of the adventures we’ve had on our trip this past year. They should show you that I have little to no control over the woman.”
    “She’s still alive though.”
    Mr. Blackheart began drumming his fingers against the arm of the chair. “She’s still alive because it’s my job to keep her that way. But I’m paid to protect her, not court her. Becoming overly familiar with Miss Watson would be a serious breach of ethics.”
    “Ah, but if you were to tell Theodore you wished to be released from the case because your feelings for Agatha have changed, there’d be no problem, would there?”
    “I don’t have feelings for Miss Watson.”
    Zayne arched a brow. “Everyone has feelings for Agatha. She’s very beautiful, and you have to admit, life would never be boring with her by your side.”
    “I like boring.”
    “But you do find Agatha beautiful, don’t you?”
    “Mr. Beckett . . .”
    “I thought we agreed you’d call me Zayne.”
    “Fine. Zayne then, but I have to . . .”
    “And don’t you think you should allow me the privilege of your given name, given the personal direction this conversation is taking?” Zayne pressed.
    “No.”
    “Come now, Mr. Blackheart. What is