“The Revenue men will be suspicious of that stretch of beach, and the cave’s too close. From now on, we’ll work from here.” Kit threw out a hand to indicate their surroundings. They were standing before the dark mouth of the abandoned tunnel in which they’d stashed their goods. “We’ll be safer here. There are places aplenty to hide, and even in broad daylight it’s not easy to follow people through here.” She paused, then paced before them, frowning in concentration. “If you have to go out in your boats to bring in the cargo, then the boats should just land the goods and go directly back to your village. If the rest of you bring ponies, then we can load the goods and transfer them here. When it’s safe, they can go on to Creake.”

They agreed readily. “This be a dandy place for hiding, right enough.”

As they stood to leave, Noah noticed the rapier at Kit’s side. “That’s a right pretty toy. Know how to use it?”

A heartbeat later, he was blinking at the soft shimmer of moonlight on steel, the rapier point at his throat. Swallowing convulsively, his gaze traveled the length of the wicked blade, until, over the top of the ornate guard, he met Kit’s narrowed eyes. She smiled tightly. “Yes.”

“Oh.” The big man remained perfectly still.

Kit relaxed and expertly turned the blade and slid it back into the scabbard. “A little conceit of mine.”

She turned and walked to where Delia waited, ears pricked. Behind her, she sensed the exchanged glances and hid a smug smile. She swung up to the saddle, then looked back at her little band.

“You know the road home?”

They nodded. “And we’ll keep a watch for the Revenue, like you said.”

“Good. We’ll meet here Thursday after moonrise.” Kit wheeled and set her heels to Delia’s sides. “And then we’ll see what comes next.”

Chapter 5

“Damn!” George flung his cards down on the rough deal table and glared at Jack. “Nothing’s changed in well-nigh twenty years! You still win.”