Perhaps because you’ve been looking in the wrong places, his inner voice whispered. Kissing the wrong women. Perhaps you should look no further than this very room…
Nathan consigned his damn inner voice to the devil then clenched his hands at his sides to keep from reaching out to snag Lady Victoria as she paced by him again, to snatch her into his arms and kiss her. Prove to himself that he’d attached far too much significance to a meaningless kiss. It couldn’t have been that good. Yes, he’d obviously blown the entire episode out of proportion. And there was one sure way to prove that.
Before he could move, however, Lady Victoria ceased pacing and swirled to face him. “If this tale you’ve related is true,” she said, eyeing him with the sort of ripe suspicion a mouse would cast upon a hungry tabby, “then my father must somehow be involved.”
Damn. He’d known she might add two and two and arrive at the correct sum. He’d hoped she would not, gambled that like many women of her station, her head would be filled with nothing more than gossip and fashions. Clearly Lady Victoria wasn’t a fool. A denial rose to his lips, but he somehow couldn’t bring himself to voice it. Instead he found himself fascinated to hear what she’d say next.
She obliged him by rushing on. “Even if Father wasn’t the person who hid the note in my bag, he must have known of its existence. He was most emphatic that I travel to Cornwall. Too emphatic, now that I ponder upon it.” She slowly shook her head, her frown growing more pronounced as her gaze shifted to the flames dancing in the grate. “It would explain so much…” she murmured.
Nathan kept his features completely impassive-a talent left over from his spying days-and simply watched her. After nearly a full minute of silence, her gaze swiveled and bore into him. “My father works for the Crown.”
The words were a statement rather than a question, and said in an utterly flat tone.
Nathan saw no point in prevaricating. “Yes.”
A humorless sound escaped her. “It’s all so clear now… the late night clandestine meetings in his study, his frequent absences, the worried look in his eyes when he thought himself unobserved.” She blew out a long breath and shook her head. “I knew, in my heart, that he wasn’t being truthful, that there was more going on than just the gambling and male frivolity he used as excuses, but I never pressed him.” Her expression changed to one of profound hurt, and the area around his heart seemed to collapse in on itself at that distressed look. “I thought he had a mistress and was merely being circumvent and discreet for the sake of my sensibilities.”
“I’m afraid secrecy goes hand in hand with spying.”
“Secrecy? You mean lying.”
He could see she was floundering, trying to assimilate her emotions, and seeing her straggle affected him in a way he couldn’t name. Walking to her, he lightly grasped her upper arms.
“I mean saying and doing what is necessary to keep your association with the Crown concealed so as to carry out your duty to protect this country’s interests. To keep yourself, your friends, your family safe.”
Her gaze searched his, then she asked, “That night you came to our town house to see my father… was that about the mission involving the jewels?”
A muscle ticked in Nathan’s jaw. “Yes.”
“My father was involved?”
Up to his bloody damn neck. “He was.” He released her, and then, after a quick debate with himself, decided there was no point in not telling her. “Your father coordinated the mission. He is the person who recruited us.”
She absorbed that, then said, “So Father is more than simply a spy. He’s a… boss of other spies?”
“Correct.”
“And who besides you is included in this ‘us’ he recruited?”
“My brother and Lord Alwyck.”
She nodded slowly, her gaze never leaving his. “So at dinner this evening I sat between two spies and across from another one.”
“Former spies. Yes.”
“Was your father also a spy?”
“No.”
“Your butler? Housekeeper? Valet?”
One corner of his mouth hiked up. “Not that I’m aware of.”
“How refreshing. But let us not forget my absent-minded, genial father who I clearly do not know at all.” Her voice trembled on the last word, and she lowered her chin to stare at the floor.
Nathan again experienced that hollow feeling in his chest. Touching a single finger under her chin, he gently urged her head up until their gazes met. “The fact that he is regarded as absentminded and genial worked greatly to his advantage. The work he coordinated saved hundreds of British soldiers’ lives. In order for him to do that, there were aspects of his life that he couldn’t share with you, or anyone else.”
She swallowed, her slender throat working, her eyes brimming with questions. “I can understand that,” she finally said. “But what I don’t understand is why send this note to you with me? Why not send one of his spy people? Or summon you to London?”
Before answering, he slid his finger from beneath her chin, allowing its tip to trail over her skin for the merest fraction of an inch. Soft. Bloody hell, she was so soft. His hands all but twitched with the need to touch her again. The desire was so intense, he had to move away from her to ensure he wouldn’t give in to the need.
After walking to the mantel, he stared into the glowing flames and engaged in a quick internal debate. Then he turned to face her. “Your father sent you to Cornwall because he believes you’re in danger. He wanted you out of London and the information brought to Cornwall, so he accomplished both goals with one journey.”
“Danger?” she repeated, her tone expressing both doubt and surprise. “What sort of danger? And why would he think such a thing?”
“He didn’t say specifically, but he clearly believes some harm might befall you. As to why, I would guess that he has either received a threat against you or he has himself been threatened and therefore fears you might be harmed in the melee. Perhaps both.”
Her face paled. “You believe my father is in some sort of danger?”
“I don’t know.” He shot her a significant look. “I’m certain that the letter he sent me via your portmanteau contains the answer to your question.”
“I read the letter. There was no mention of danger. Indeed, it read only of-” She snapped her lips together. After a pause she said, “It did not mention danger.”
“Not that you or any other lay person would be able to discern. Your father would have written to me in code.”
A long, strained silence stretched between them. Finally she lifted her chin, her eyes troubled. “What if Father is hurt-or worse-while I’m so far away?”
The worry in her eyes unsettled him in a way he couldn’t explain. All he knew was that he wanted that look to vanish. “Your father is an extremely clever and resourceful man,” he said quietly, “with great resources and manpower at his disposal. I’ve no doubt he will outwit whoever challenges him.”
A strangled sound emerged from her throat. “That does not sound at all like my father, but obviously you know him far better than I.” Some of the worry faded from her gaze, replaced by speculation. “ ‘Tis clear you’re more than the simple country doctor you pretend to be.”
“I’ve never pretended to be a doctor. I am one. A damned good one.” He inclined his head. “ ‘Tis clear you’re more than the empty-headed heiress you pretend to be.”
“I’ve never pretended to be an heiress. I am one. Nor have I ever been empty-headed-that is just your arrogance and unfounded assumptions talking.”
“I want that note, Lady Victoria.”
“Yes, I know. How unfortunate for you that it is in my possession.”
“I cannot hope to protect you without knowing what danger your father fears is imminent.”
“You? Protect me?” she said in a scoffing tone. “You who are as deaf as a post? What is your plan to protect me-order your hens and ducks to nibble into submission ‘he wh
o would threaten my safety’?”
Good God. Had he ever considered her attractive? Surely he was mad. She was infuriating. And clearly toying with him. Bloody hell, she was nothing more than… an infuriating toyer-wither. And his patience had officially been stretched to its limit.
With his narrowed gaze steady on hers, Nathan demanded, “Why are you refusing to return the note to me?”
“I haven’t refused.”
“Then you’ll comply with my request?”
“No… at least not yet.”
“I’m not the sort of man to dance to your merry tune, Lady Victoria.”
“I never said I wanted you to dance to a merry tune.”
“Good. But clearly you want something.”
“I do.”
“How fortunate I am not prone to swooning at hearing shocking statements. What do you want?”
“I want to be included. I want to help you.”
“Help me what?”
“Accomplish the mission my father assigned to you. To recover the jewels.”
Luckily his jaw was attached to his face or it would have landed on his boots. As it was, he couldn’t contain a bark of incredulous laughter. “Absolutely not.”
She shrugged. “Well, then I’m afraid I cannot give you your letter.”
“Why would you want to involve yourself in something that is not only none of your concern, but could potentially be dangerous?”
“Seeing as how both my father and myself may be in danger, and that that letter is the reason I was dispatched to this godforsaken end-of-the-earth place, I believe this is very much my concern. It is now clear to me that I have been subjected to lies and secrecy for more years than I care to contemplate. I refuse to be subjected to them any longer.” Her expression hardened, turning angry. And resolute. Two expressions that would put any man immediately on his guard. “Do you know what it’s like to be lied to, Dr. Oliver?”
He did. And he had not enjoyed the experience. He inclined his head to acknowledge she’d scored a point. “But you cannot be so foolish as to harbor anger because your father did not tell you things that would have compromised the security of this country.”
“No, although I cannot deny feeling foolish-and resentful-that I clearly know very little about the man I grew up with, who I thought I knew and understood extremely well. I am, however, very angry that he did not tell me he might be in danger.”
“I told you-he can take care of himself. And more efficiently if he wasn’t distracted by worrying about the safety of his daughter. He wanted, needed, you to leave London. He obviously thought you would not if you knew the truth.”
“He took away my choices,” Lady Victoria said hotly. “I deserved to know. To be given an opportunity to help him. To know the real reason why I was being sent away. To know I might be in danger as well.” She huffed out a breath. “At least that would have granted me the opportunity to prepare myself. To raise my guard. But no, instead I was patted on the head and toddled off to the wilderness to be looked after by a man I barely know and whom I haven’t seen in three years, as if because I’m a woman I’m helpless.” Her entire demeanor exuded stubborn determination. “Well, he made an error. I am a Modern Woman. I will not be shunted aside and treated as if I am a feeble nitwit. I have devised a plan, and unlike you and my father, I am willing to be honest and share it with you. It is a simple plan, one even you won’t have trouble understanding: I have your note. I will return it to you if you agree to include me in your mission.”
“And if I refuse to agree?”
She smiled brightly. “Then I shall not return it to you. See? I told you it was simple.”
Nathan stepped away from the fireplace and moved slowly toward her, like a jungle cat stalking his prey. Her smile faded and she slowly backed away from him. He kept pace with her retreat, shifting so as to maneuver her toward the corner-exactly where he wanted her both physically and strategically. She took another step back and her shoulders bumped into the vee where the two walls met. Surprise flashed in her eyes, then she drew herself up and raised her chin another notch, her eyes wide but meeting his gaze unflinchingly. If Nathan had not been so irritated with her, he would have admired her pluck at realizing she was trapped and braving her way through it. She might be a thorn in his side, but she wasn’t a coward. Surprising, as he’d have wagered the word “danger” would have sent her running for the hartshorn.
“You’ll not bully me into giving you the note,” she said, her voice not displaying the slightest tremor.
Nathan planted a hand on each wall, bracketing her in. “I’ve never had to bully a woman into giving me what I want, Lady Victoria.”
Her gaze flicked to his arms, positioned near her head, before returning to his face. “You’ll never find it.”
“I assure you I shall.”
“No. It’s hidden in a place where you will never locate it.”
Nathan hid his triumph at her inadvertent admission that the note was still intact and that she hadn’t destroyed it. He allowed his gaze to wander slowly down then up her form. When his gaze once again met hers, he said softly, “You’re wearing it. The question is, is it tucked into one of your garters, or…” He glanced down at the swell of creamy skin rising from her bronze bodice. “… or nestled between your breasts?”
Her startled expression, coupled with her furious blush, confirmed the accuracy of his guess.
“That was the most ungentlemanly scrutiny I have ever been subjected to,” she said, sounding as if she’d just darted up a flight of stairs.
He brushed a single fingertip slowly over her cheekbone, memorizing the silky texture of her warm skin and the sound of her quick intake of breath. “If you think I’ll believe this crimson stain is the result of mere maidenly outrage, you underestimate me, Lady Victoria, and that would be a mistake.”
She swallowed, hard, then said, “Of course I am outraged. And since you clearly are not aware, a gentleman asks for permission before touching a lady.”
“I’ve never claimed to be a gentleman.” Because he couldn’t resist, he glided the pad of his thumb over that enticing blush once more before resettling his hand against the wall. “I prefer to ask for forgiveness afterward-if it’s necessary-than to request permission beforehand.”
“How convenient for your conscience-although I’d wager you do not possess one.”
“On the contrary, I do. In fact, right now it is instructing me to ask if you would have granted me permission to touch you.”
“Certainly not.”
“Ah, then you can see why my method is much more preferable.”
“Yes-for you.”
“Then I shall ask for your forgiveness.”
“Denied.”
Nathan blew out a long put-upon breath and shook his head. “It appears you are determined to deny me in all matters this evening.” He moved a step closer to her, then leaned down so his lips hovered just above her ear. The subtle scent of roses filled his head, and his hands fisted against the silk wall covering. “You’ll have to remove your clothes eventually, my lady. And now you’ve given me a great incentive to make certain that I’m present when you do.”
She sucked in a hissing breath. He leaned back, cursing the alluring scent of her now branded in his mind. “That will never happen, I assure you.”
“Never say never, Lady Victoria.”
Six
Today’s Modern Woman must realize knowledge is equal to power. It is therefore essential to discover everything she can about a gentleman, be he friend, enemy, or lover. The more she knows, the more power she will be able to wield in the relationship, and the less likelihood that she will be taken advantage of.
A Ladies’ Guide to the Pursuit of
Personal Happiness and Intimate Fulfillment
by Charles Brightmore
Gritty-eyed from a troubled night filled with much thinking, exhaustive pacing, and little sleep, Victoria requested a breakfast tray in her bedchamber. Aft
er a light repast of tea, toasted bread, and eggs-eggs she glared at wondering if they came from his hens-she rose. Wanting to be alone with her thoughts, she didn’t summon her maid, and dressed herself in her favorite forest-green riding habit. After ensuring that the much contested letter was safely concealed, she set off for the stables. A brisk ride always helped clear her mind and improve her mood, and heavens knew she needed both.
And it was all his fault. That doctor posing as a spy posing as a doctor. No wonder he hadn’t given her or their encounter three years ago a second thought. He no doubt had women in every town, village, and hamlet. She’d provided nothing more than a momentary diversion to an accomplished scoundrel. Recalling how she’d flirted with him at their one meeting, she inwardly cringed. He’d no doubt been highly amused. Well, she had no intention of amusing him again.
After Dr. Oliver had departed her bedchamber last evening, she’d locked her door-and shoved a chair beneath the knob for good measure-then spent hours poring over the letter, trying to find some secret meaning, some hidden pattern of words or letters, but could find nothing. How could a letter that spoke of nothing but art, museums, and the weather translate into a tale of danger and jewels? She finally admitted defeat when the words swam before her eyes from fatigue. But she would make another attempt after she returned from her ride, renewed and refreshed.
Even more frustrating than her failure to decipher the note, however, was the unfamiliar disquiet she felt. She couldn’t recall a time when she’d been so bombarded with conflicting emotions. Indeed, until this journey where she’d discovered the note in her luggage and then Dr. Oliver in her bedchamber, her life had consisted of a pleasant but unbroken pattern of Seasons in Town, summers in the country, and yearly holidays in Bath. With the exception of that stolen kiss three years ago, nothing extraordinary had ever happened to her, and her life had progressed precisely on the course she’d set for herself.
But now it felt as if she were being buffeted on storm tossed waters, her emotions awash in turmoil. Worry for her father’s safety warred with a sense of confusion, disbelief, and betrayal at learning of his secret life. Thrown into the seething tempest of her emotions was her anger at Father for treating her like a child. Dozens of questions buzzed through her mind, and by God, she intended to demand answers from him the instant she returned to London. How long had he been involved with the Crown? Had Mother known? Most likely not. Victoria could only imagine that such a revelation would have been met with a case of the vapors that spanned months.
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