“We must leave,” he said forcefully.
Flora looked up with a tear-stained face. “This could be the only chance to end him.”
“It won’t end it for the others.” Ian shook his head. “He has brothers-in-arms who will take his place. When they don’t find you, they’ll claim retribution from whoever they can find. Your parents. The rest of your family. Even your close friends.”
“Come now,” Diana urged. “We must get upstairs.”
“But how will we get everyone out?” Flora asked.
Diana placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “There’s only enough time to get you and Blanca.”
“No. They have to come with us. Blanca and I can’t leave them, knowing—” Her voice cut out before she added in a whisper, “I couldn’t live with myself.”
Diana looked at Ian in silent supplication.
“You cannot help anyone if you stay here,” he said frankly but softly. “Tonight is the only chance you have to get out. Once you’re free, you’ll have more power to help them.”
“I need you to take a big breath, Flora, and try to clear your head,” Diana said. “How do we find Blanca?”
The girl blinked. She gazed down at Costa, and her chin wobbled. “There’s no time to make it upstairs. We’ll have to wait for Blanca to come down with the other girls. They’re supposed to circulate, offer dances to the gentlemen.”
“With the guards watching,” Ian rasped.
“Which we planned for,” Diana reminded him with a glare. “Flora and I will slip into the ladies’ withdrawing room and exit the window there. You will find Blanca and dance her out of the room.”
He barked a laugh. “This is insane.”
“You knew it would be.”
He murmured for Diana’s ears only, “There are others out there who will follow the emeralds.”
“That’s why we’ve given them emeralds to chase. Now go. This cretin will wake soon.”
Diana darted upstairs with Flora. Ian followed and watched them filter into the crowd before cautiously rejoining the party. A second set of musicians had arrived, and the music became rowdy. More wine and spirits continued to flow while a partially dressed woman on the stage performed an evocative dance.
Then two phantom Dianas swirled onto the dance floor.
Ian blinked as they drew up their skirts and began a seductive flamenco.
The crowd stirred again as scantily clad women wearing carnations behind their ears descended the central staircase. The last one to enter the room had the same thick-lashed, hazel eyes as Flora. Her head swiveled as she observed the room like a hare sniffing an open field.
Ian elbowed two men out of the way and sent a third scampering with his best devil’s glare. He made a small bow before the trembling girl. “Senorita. You have your sister’s eyes.”
Her mouth parted on a small squeak.
“Shall we dance?” Ian gently took her in his arms, thankful the music had shifted to a waltz. “Flora is outside waiting for you. Shall we go meet her?”
“I cannot l-leave.” Blanca’s voice shook.
She was smart to refuse him, but it was damned inconvenient. If he swooped her up, she might kick and scream in protest.
He cast his eyes toward the cellar door, but there was no sign of Costa.
Punters danced around him. The men without partners watched the dance floor with carnivorous gazes that made Ian’s stomach roil.
“You can come with me, Blanca. Right now, we can walk right out that door.”
“Do not tease me,senor.”