That gold stare narrowed on her. “As a matter of fact, he did. The man from the tavern in Philadelphia is cousin to one of the men on my report, the men responsible for the assassination.”

She felt the blood drain from her face, the warning signals in the pit of her stomach making it roil. The American president had not survived the brutal attack at Ford’s Theatre. If they could kill such a man, what would they do to her? Her body swayed.

“What is going on, Bronwyn?”

“I think he’s here,” she whispered and then shook her head. “I was on the balcony, and I thought I saw him.”

The duke swore. “Here? Are you certain?”

“I don’t usually forget a face,” she said. “But it was so fast, I can’t be sure. I told Ravenna to find Courtland and get to safety.”

“Good move.” He eyed her. “Do you have a weapon on you?”

She patted both sides of her thighs, and those golden eyes flared with a combination of approval and heady desire. “Ravenna told me the Duchess of Embry used to cut holes in the pockets of her gown to access her knives, kukri she called them. I’ve done the same but with pocket pistols.”

“Good girl.” It should have been patronizing coming from him, but all it did was make her weak in the knees. Something was officially wrong with her head. She peered at him with narrowed eyes, expecting him to order her to stay hidden like the helpless damsel she was, but he gave a firm nod. “I’m going to walk through the ballroom. Keep an eye on the exits, if you can. If you see anything, break the biggest vase you can find.”

Her brows pleated. “You’re going to trust me on my own?”

“Yes, two sets of eyes are better than one,” he said on an exhale and then rubbed the bridge of his nose with a sigh. “I must be out of my mind, but well, there it is.” Bronwyn stared at him in utter shock. Had the most decorated spy in Britain deemed her an asset instead of a hindrance? She could not hide her grin.

“I suppose I’m official now. Do we get embossed calling cards? Is there a secret spy handshake? A special wink, perhaps?”

“God, that mouth. It’s incorrigible.” The duke started to move away, but then turned around and closed the distance between them with three brisk steps. With a blazing look, he hauled her to him and planted a hard kiss on her lips before releasing her. “Be careful. Don’t get shot.”

“You don’t get shot,” she tossed back. “Partner.”