"So let them notice," Adam argued. "Someone's going to notice anyway, soon enough. If we're taking even half your things, we can't truly sneak out. Especially not with the trunk. The trick is seeming confident enough and urgent enough that by the time they realize our orders are contrary to Declan's, we'll be long gone."

Adam worked with him, handing over items and helping him to latch cases, and then handing bags down the ladder to him. "I'll finish up," Adam said, batting him away from one last bag. "Go tell them to prepare a coach, and acquisition a footman or two to help us carry that trunk. Confident. Urgent. Okay?"

Meeting Ronan's eyes, Adam leaned up for a quick kiss, trying not to let himself be overcome with worry.