Matt found the meeting fascinating. Men of all ages and walks of life were there expressing their opinions of what should be done now that the Dartmouth, one of the English ships carrying tea for the British East Indian Company, had docked at Griffin’s Wharf. Everyone was in an uproar at the thought of the hated tea being unloaded, and a plan of action had to be formulated. The discussion was heated as opposing factions argued over the best way to deal with the situation.

It was during a particularly long-winded speech when Matt took the opportunity to glance around him that he caught sight of John Robinson standing with a younger man a short distance away. He was surprised by his presence, and he tried to imagine why Robinson would be interested in any of this. Curious, he told Ben that he would be right back and then edged his way through the boisterous throng in his direction.

“John!” he called out as he drew near.

“Kincade…” There was open disbelief in his tone.

CC, who had donned her boyish disguise in order to attend the meeting, felt her heart sink at John’s greeting, and she paled as she tried to decide what to do.

“Just turn slightly away and don’t say anything,” John murmured under his breath.

“Right.” CC had never in her wildest dreams expected to run into anyone with connections to her father at the meeting, and she was nervous. She had told her father that she was going to Marianna Lord’s home for the evening, and if word got back to him somehow of her attendance here tonight…

“Good evening, John,” Matt greeted as he came to stand with them.

“What are you doing here?” John asked as he tried to position himself to block Matt’s view of CC.

“I should be asking you the same thing. I thought you were an ardent loyalist.” His comment drew unwelcome stares from a few of those nearby. “Who’s your friend?”

John and CC were caught, and the moment was a tense one. There was no way to avoid the revelation without creating havoc, and the one thing they didn’t want was to draw undue attention to themselves.

Bravely, CC made the decision herself. She turned quickly to face Matthew, watching in tense expectation as his expression turned from cordial to stunned disbelief.

“CC?” Matt could not believe his eyes. The young man was no man at all, but beautiful CC Demorest in disguise.

“Yes, Matthew, it’s me.”

“But, CC…” His surprise did not abate as he stared down at her. She was a gorgeous woman, the daughter of a wealthy British agent, and yet she was wearing nondescript, baggy boy’s garments and attending a meeting of the dissident colonists.

Before Matt could say any more, CC motioned for him to follow her through the crowd to a more private spot near the back of the hall.

John was worried, and he stayed protectively by CC’s side. He found Matthew Kincade’s presence completely unsettling. As far as John knew, Matthew had taken no active part in his brother’s negotiations with their group. John couldn’t help but wonder what, if anything, Matthew knew about the situation. If he’d been told all that had happened, then they were in no danger, but what if he hadn’t been told all the details and had merely come to the meeting for sport? Mentally, John prepared himself for the worst.

“CC, I don’t understand… What are you doing here, dressed like that?”

As John realized his worst fears were coming true, he tensed, ready to do whatever was necessary to protect CC from disclosure. Although she was frightened, CC knew it was too outrageous a situation for her to try to lie about. She liked Matthew; she had from their first meeting, and she felt reasonably sure that she could trust him. She decided to tell Matt the truth and hope for the best. Certainly, since Noah was in the middle of negotiating an arms sale to the rebels, Matt couldn’t very well threaten her with any kind of exposé.

“I came because I wanted to know what was going on,” she answered simply, “and I dressed like this so I wouldn’t be recognized.”

Her blatant honesty surprised him. “But isn’t it dangerous for you? You’re the daughter of an important British agent… Your father’s a loyalist…”

She gave a little shrug, “Much to my father’s distress, we have long held different political views.”

“Does he know about this?” He was incredulous.

“No, and Matthew”-her gaze met his, open yet pleading for understanding-“I hope it stays that way.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” he promised. He had thought CC quite a lady when he’d met her at the ball, and he was now even more impressed. Not only was she lovely, but she was educated and an independent thinker, too.

“But what about you, Matt? I don’t understand why you’re here.”

“Yes,” John challenged, not at all sure of CC’s decision to be honest with this man. “Why would a titled Englishman like yourself be interested in the complaints of the colonists?”

“I’ve found myself growing more and more intrigued with life here in Boston, and I wanted to learn more about the problems that are causing all the trouble.”

“I’m surprised,” CC put in, “although I don’t suppose I should be.”

“I don’t understand.” Matt gave her a puzzled look. “Why do you find my interest so remarkable?”

“For a moment I was thinking that you were more like your brother,” she remarked scathingly. “I have to remember that the two of you are nothing alike.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not…” Matt frowned.

“Oh, it is,” CC told him hastily, leaving Matt to wonder what Noah had done to leave her with such a bad opinion of him. “You’re much more approachable than he is and, I believe, far less opinionated. I mean, at least you’re willing to take the time to listen, whereas Noah couldn’t care less. I’m sure he thinks any complaints we colonists might have are not in the realm of his vital interests and therefore not of importance.”

John stiffened imperceptibly at her use of the nobleman’s first name. His gaze narrowed as he wondered just when she’d started referring to him so intimately.

“Indeed you’re right. Many of my countrymen feel that way,” Matt agreed. “I’m sure they would find my interest in such matters offensive, but I assure you that I am most serious in my intent. Since first arriving here I have discovered that the authorities are very selective about how and for whom they wield their power.”

“You have?” CC was amazed at his answer.

“Yes.” There was a blaze of emotion reflected in his eyes as he answered. “It was a lesson well learned, and I intend to help rectify the situation if I can.”

“And Noah doesn’t share your interest?” CC found that she had to know.

John’s curiosity turned to jealousy as she used his first name again, and he tried to imagine what reason she might have for being interested in Lord Kincade’s plans.

“No.” Matt’s answer was abrupt, reflecting the tension between them. “Noah has no real interest in any of this.”

“I know,” she replied a little too bitterly.

The sound of her tone drew a curious look from Matt and he wondered how she could possibly know of Noah’s affiliation. Then he remembered Noah’s manipulations to be alone with CC in the garden the night of the ball and speculated that maybe there had been more to the moment, as he’d originally suspected. After all, her flight into the music room that night had coordinated with Noah’s departure with Eve…

“I didn’t know that you and Noah had become so well acquainted,” he ventured easily.

CC realized her mistake and hastened to try to cover it. “Oh, we’re not.”

But Matt was far too perceptive for her and he knew she was trying to hide something. Something had happened between them, for he knew his brother, and he knew that Noah did not discuss any of his personal affairs with anyone.

He glanced up then and saw Ben looking around in the crowd for him, his expression worried. “If you’ll excuse me…I came with someone and I’d better get back.”