She paused when his smile widened. “You already did that, too?”

“I sent a man at dawn. He is to fetch your trunks from the squire’s and rush them to us at Balnagown Castle. He should arrive shortly after we do.”

“You’ve thought of everything.”

“I try. I trust you have everything in your trunks that you need for this expedition?”

“Yes.” She peeped up at him. “We’ll be good partners.” Satisfaction filled her words.

“We shall see.” He settled into the chair by the fireplace. Robert couldn’t help admiring the sight of Moira in just a chemise and the white shirt. When she crossed to the washstand the sun lit her from behind, and for a startling instant her long, graceful legs were perfectly silhouetted before she crossed into the shadow and the white material became opaque once more.

Damn. Robert shifted uncomfortably in the chair. Though Moira had slept through the night, he hadn’t. He’d been agonizingly aware of the warm curves pressed against his back—a back he’d turned to prevent his traitorous body from reacting even more than it had.

Though he could have asked for another room, he’d wished to make certain she was well—or so he’d told himself. The truth was that he’d wanted to feel her body against his once again, even if it was just his back pressed to hers.

She reached up to undo the shirt, pausing when she caught his gaze.

He waved a hand. “Pray don’t let me stop you. I wish to discuss our plans once we arrive at Balna-gown.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Of course.” She tugged the shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor.

The fine lawn chemise offered very little in the way of modesty. The thin material clung to every slope and curve, hugging her skin like a lover’s hands, hinting at the shadows that lay beneath.

His body ached with a new flush of desire, and he glanced at the beckoning bed. Don’t think of that now, he told himself sternly, but his cock was already hard and ready.

She spread the gown over a chair by the bed and pulled more items from the saddlebags—a silver comb, a packet of hairpins, and some stockings. “I have a plan to get the real box, not the fake one Ross is likely to try to foist on us.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, but it will be much easier with help. Before I left Edinburgh, I asked about Ross from several people who knew him well and I found out some very interesting things.”

“Such as?”

“For one, he enjoys pursuing married women.”

Robert’s gaze locked on her. “I didn’t know that.”

“He’s been in two duels, both over married women. I think he collects them like he collects objects d’art.”

“Interesting.”

“It’s his weakness. If we go to see him together and I present myself as your devoted wife, it will offer him a challenge—one I will make certain he can’t resist.”

“You will distract him while I search for the real onyx box.”