Katie Rose by A Hint of Mischief Page A

her figure was completely concealed within the voluminous folds of the garment. After donning her biggest, darkest bonnet, she pulled down the veil so that only her chin showed beneath the filmy cloth. Smiling in satisfaction, she crept out of the house, certain no one could easily identify her.
    A thrill of excitement swept through her as she hailed a cab. As the coach pulled up, she had to step back to avoid being doused by a torrent of water from the street. She managed to keep her shoes dry, however, and when the cabbie apologized profusely, then helped her inside as if she were an elderly widow, she knew her costume was sufficient. Giving the man the address of Gabriel’s town house, she sank into the back, her nerves keen as the carriage lurched ahead.
    She was on a spy mission, the same as any detective, but her objective was even more elusive than a murderer’s trail. She needed to find out as much as she could about Gabriel’s daily schedule, so that she could convenientlyaccost him when he least expected it. Excitement filled her at the very idea, even as a warning flashed through her mind. She had to make sure that she wasn’t caught, or all would be in vain.
    Penelope had wanted to come with her, but Jennifer realized it would be far easier to slip in and out of crowds alone. It would also be more difficult to remain anonymous with Penelope, for her beautiful sister stood out like the sun in any gathering. No, far better this way, and when she had some information, she would gladly make use of her sister’s expertise to conspire against Gabriel.
    A smug giggle escaped her as she thought of his reaction at tea the previous morning. Surely he knew of Charles’s defection by now, and must be boiling at the very thought. She was even more pleased by his apology and assurance that he hadn’t been out to ruin her with his passionate kiss in the garden. He didn’t seem to have any explanation for it, and appeared very uncomfortable in her presence. Jennifer wasn’t quite the expert on men that Penelope was, but even she knew enough to be encouraged by his awkwardness.
    He felt something for her. He had to. In spite of her plotting, the feminine part of Jennifer was very pleased that handsome, thrilling Mr. Forester seemed to be, as Penelope said, taken with her. A part of her worried about why it had become so important, and why his opinion mattered, but she dismissed the concern quickly. Now if she could only manage to spend enough time in his presence, she truly might be able to bring him to hand.
    That thought led to other, darker ones that had cropped up repeatedly since his heated kiss. Jennifer felt a tingle of anticipation, for Gabriel had already demonstrated to her that he was irresistibly masculine, and would certainly act upon his impulses. Secretly, she wondered what they led to, for her mother had never told her much, and her aunt only whispered warnings aboutgentlemen taking liberties and the dire results. She had surmised some from the whispered giggles of the other girls, but all she knew for sure was that his kiss had been exciting beyond measure. Surely anything else would be equally rewarding.
    The carriage stopped outside Gabriel’s door. Instructing the driver to wait, she settled down inside, away from nosy eyes. She knew that Gabriel walked in the park at lunchtime, but what he did at night was a mystery. She decided to follow him from his house in the cab, and see where he went.
    She didn’t have to wait long for her quarry to appear. Gabriel strolled down the street at exactly five-fifteen, then stepped inside the door of his town house. Jennifer counted out the minutes for what seemed to be an eternity, but he didn’t reappear.
    “Miss, I’ve got to go. I’ve other fares tonight, you know,” the cabbie called out, obviously annoyed to be parked on the street when he could be making money.
    Jennifer alighted, then pressed a coin in the man’s hand. “Can you come back in an hour?