Lady Mary Kinson was not easily surprised, but seeing John Osborne among the men waiting for her at the Rose Agency made her steps falter for a moment. What was he doing there? Did he know? She mentally shook herself. No, he couldn't possibly. No one did. Only her friend Nick, who had been the one to suggest hiring the agency. That had also been a shock; to find out her friend's husband was, in fact, the owner of this establishment. There had been a lot of surprises lately. Too many.

As she reached the four gathered men, she was rather pleased to see the astonishment on John's face when she pulled her hood back. She was not unaware of his reticence towards her, and would be lying if she said she didn't sometimes prod him on purpose. He could be such a proper, dull old codger. If not by age, then in temperament. How could one not want to ruffle those prim feathers?

"Lady Mary." Lord Winter, her friend's husband, bowed lightly and smiled. "Thank you for joining us."

"Thank you for accepting my case," she replied with a curtsy, enjoying the scowl appearing on John's face.

After a brief introduction of the men present, Lord Winter motioned towards her. "Would you mind explaining to my associates what it is you require assistance with?"

Frustration and irritation crept up her spine as she remembered the reason for her presence at the agency. "I need help to fetch my sister."

"Jane?" John had never met her sister since she was several years younger and only due to have her season the following year, but she appreciated the concern in his voice.

"Yes. I'm afraid she has gone missing." She steeled her shoulders and forced the distasteful words out, "In fact, she has run away with a man. If I don't get her back home before our parents and brother return from their trip—or before anyone else finds out—her reputation will be ruined."

"Not only hers," Mr Hemsworth, an auburn-haired man with a scar dissecting his right eyebrow, said. "Your entire family risks ruin if this gets out. I can see why you would seek our help."

She nodded. Not that she didn't already know the reality of her situation, but hearing it stated so plainly somehow made it more real. Fighting back a shiver and a spark of anger at her sister's foolishness, she pushed back an errant lock of hair that had fallen over her brow.

"What happened?" John asked, making her look up at him. It bothered her she couldn't read the emotions on his face. Was it pity? Disgust at the possibility of being associated with someone possibly at the edge of ruin?

"I can't remember if I've told you, but my parents are travelling on the continent with my older brother. They left my sister and me in the care of my Aunt Lucy. Now, my aunt is a wonderful woman... But perhaps not the most reliable. She decided we were fine on our own and went to visit a friend up north. Apparently, my sister thought this was the perfect opportunity to run away with a man."

Foolish, foolish Jane. No consideration for anyone other than herself. Did she realise the peril she put her family in?

"Who is he?" There was a line between John's brows as he seemed to consider her words.

"Aunt Lucy hosted a large group of friends at our country house, and Jane took a fancy to a gentleman by the name of Mr Hayes. Far too old for her, of course, but Jane has never cared much for anything beyond her own wants and desires. I suspect she has gone to his estate. There was talk about a week-long party. I must retrieve her before it's too late."

"We suspect Hayes of funding organisations opposing the government," an older man with a bushy moustache said. She couldn't remember his name, but remembered he wasn't an agent of the Rose Agency but a man from the War Office. "This offers us a rare opportunity to send someone to one of Hayes' notorious parties, and the Crown asks that the Agency will cooperate and investigate Hayes while searching for Lady Jane."

John scratched the back of his head, the line between his brows deepening almost as if he had a headache. "So you want me to go to Hayes' estate and retrieve Lady Jane, while simultaneously looking for dirt on Hayes? Will he not be suspicious of my sudden appearance at his home?"

"Ah, but you will be expected." Winter grinned as he held up an odd-looking calling card. The crisp, white paper held no letters, only the symbol of a masquerade mask. "Hayes is known to host some rather... bawdy house parties. One is due to start in a few days' time, and we've secured one invitation. Because of the nature of these parties, no names are mentioned, and everyone wears a mask during most events. And even if someone recognises you, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that a bachelor like yourself might attend."

Mary couldn't help but wonder what a bawdy house party might be like... In either case, she struggled to imagine the always proper John Osborne attending one.

"Are you sure they'll let him in?" The question slipped past her lips before she could stop herself, and four sets of eyes turned to her.

Maybe Winter knew why she asked because the corners of his mouth twitched. "Yes," he said. "With this invitation, they will let him in. And he won't go alone. Every gentleman is required to bring at least one lady with them."

Her eyebrows shot up. "At least?"

Did she imagine the pink colour of Winter's cheeks? "Ahem, yes." He dragged a hand through his hair, avoiding her eyes. "It's not your typical house party."

"Who am I bringing?" John asked, and everyone's eyes turned to her.

Winter had already told her it was the only way, and she had agreed, but she could see thunder gathering in John's eyes. "No," he bit off. "Out of the question."

Her temper sparked at his instant dismissal, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I am the only one who will recognise Jane. Especially if she's wearing a mask. And, equally, I'm most likely the only one who stands a chance at convincing her to return home."

John's blue eyes settled on her and it felt as if they burned right through to her soul. "No," he said again. "The kind of house party Winter speaks of is no place for a lady."

"I'll be wearing a mask. No one will recognise me. People barely pay attention to me when I don't wear one!" Stubborn, disagreeable man. Did he not see she had no choice?

"Lady Mary is right," Winter said. "She's imperative to this operation. Without her, you cannot possibly find Lady Jane."

John shook his head as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You truly have no qualms about sending her into this den on iniquity? An innocent woman of gentle breeding?"

She wanted to argue about his description of her, but he wasn't wrong. She had lived a sheltered life. The only house parties she had attended had been ones aimed at finding a spouse or visiting family. This sounded like something else entirely. Something dark and forbidden. A bubbling excitement brewed in her abdomen at the prospect of experiencing something other than her regular life. She was tired of balls and parties, of conversing with the same gentlemen who never seemed to give her another moment's attention once her prettier friends arrived.

"It wasn't my first choice," Winter said, "but I don't see what choice we have."

John drew in a breath, but instead of exploding with another argument, he nodded tersely. "If I must," he muttered.

"Would you rather I send another agent?" She couldn't quite place the tone of Winter's voice, but she saw John's shoulders tense. "We thought it better someone who knows her accompanied Lady Mary."

It was as if John deflated before her, and she almost smiled when he nodded again. "Fine."

"Great," the tall, auburn-haired man cut in. "Now that's settled... Wear your masks any time you are not in your rooms. This seems to be the norm at these parties, so you won't stand out. Neither of you has any distinguishing features that instantly identify you, which helps. Unlike myself."

He tapped a walking cane against his right leg, and she raised her eyebrows at the sound of wood knocking on wood. Indeed, that was a difficult thing to hide.

She flashed the man a wry smile. "Is that your way of saying I am plain?"

He chuckled. "No. Merely stating that some of us stand out more than others."

Maybe he wouldn't say it, but she knew she wasn't nearly as good-looking as her friends. Plain was possibly the kindest descriptor. Her nose was a little too curved, her mouth a little too wide. At least she had nice hair in a rich sable colour, but he was correct that it wasn't a colour unusual enough to be recognised by.

"You will travel to Hayes' estate in three days' time," Winter said, halting her thoughts. "Osborne, we can discuss the details of Hayes more in-depth tomorrow."

"I am not keen on this plan," John said, his voice tight. "But I will do it for the sake of Lady Mary and her family."

She should be grateful, but the way he said it annoyed her. Tamping down her instant need to tell him she didn't need his help—because she most definitely did—she forced a smile on her lips.

"Thank you. I appreciate your help and your discretion in this."

"Discretion is a staple of the Rose Agency." Winter gave her an encouraging smile. "Fear not, Lady Mary. We will find your sister and bring her back before it's too late."

She really hoped he was right. With a final curtsy, she left the men to return home. She'd nearly made it to her carriage when she heard footsteps behind her.

"Mary?"

Turning around, she found John approaching her. Stopping a few feet from her, he watched her in the faint light of the street lamps.

"Yes?" she prompted when he said nothing.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked. "I don't think you realise what kind of party—or what kind of people—you are about to encounter..."

"Do you?" She raised a questioning eyebrow. "Have you attended something like this before?"

A dark shadow crept over his cheekbones. "No," he muttered. "But I have heard of them. It will be... awkward. Neither of us is used to this level of debauchery."

She wanted to ask what to expect, but something held her back. Maybe it was his obvious embarrassment. Proper John Osborne might find this worse than she did. The thought improved her mood somewhat.

"We will have to pretend to be involved," he continued, crushing her spirits as quickly as he had lifted them with the obvious distaste in his voice.

"Do not worry." She forced a light tone even as tiny barbs stung her skin. "We will wear masks, so no one will know what a plain lightskirt you've brought."

He frowned. "What? I—"

"Good night, John." Not in the mood to continue their conversation, she stepped into her waiting carriage and rapped on the ceiling to make the driver start the trip home. She would spend enough time in John's aggravating company soon enough.

This had better be worth it, Jane.

~~~~~~