Once Upon a Spy: A Secrets and Seduction Book

by Sheridan Jeane

  “That I couldn’t say,” he replied with all honesty.

  Something he said must have sounded strange to Antonia, because she narrowed her eyes as she peered up at him, but she remained silent.

  “And you? Miss Winter, is it?” Tidmore focused his intent stare on her.

  “I haven’t met your daughter, my lord,” she said. She spoke hesitantly, as if choosing her words with care. “Lord Wentworth asked me to join him so that I might meet you and offer my assistance to both you and your wife. I assume you’ll want to inform her of our news as quickly as possible.”

  Tidmore turned to his butler, who had remained standing next to the door. “Fetch Mirabelle,” he barked. “Have the carriage brought round. We’ll leave immediately.” He turned to face them, but addressed Robert. “I can’t thank you enough. My wife’s been sick with worry.”

  “I understand your urgency, Lord Tidmore. Once you’ve brought your daughter home, may we have a moment of your time? We need to speak with you regarding the Queen’s business. It’s a delicate matter— one which requires a unique set of abilities which I know you happen to possess.”

  Tidmore’s graying eyebrows dove down toward the bridge of his nose. “Yes, yes. We can talk about it later. With luck, I’ll have my daughter in hand within an hour.” He grimaced. “That is, unless she decides to run off before we can get to her.”

  “Lady Huntley plans to keep her engaged,” Antonia said, giving Robert a sidelong glance. “I don’t think Imogen will be going anywhere.”

  §

  A short time later, Robert and Antonia led the way in his carriage while Lord and Lady Tidmore followed in theirs.

  Robert noticed Antonia glancing at him out of the corner of her eye as though trying to decide something. He had a guess as to what she would say, but he waited. She’d speak when she was ready.

  Finally, she shifted to face him. “I’m beginning to suspect there’s more to Imogen’s presence at the marchioness’s home than you’ve been willing to reveal. And I think it has something to do with Lady Huntley’s unusual talent with a blade.”

  “That’s an astute guess.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Don’t press me further on this. I’d tell you more if I could, but I gave Catherine and Daniel my word.”

  Antonia narrowed her eyes, but then she nodded. “Everyone’s entitled to their secrets as long as they aren’t hurting anyone. Catherine’s a good person, of that I have no doubt.”

  Robert stared at his hand where it rested on the cushion between them, barely touching the tip of her gloved hand with his own. She was so close, but he refused to close the distance. He didn’t dare. “Good people often keep secrets.” His mother had kept Father’s secret after she’d read his letter, but by then no good could possibly have come from revealing the truth.

  “I prefer the truth, but I suppose that’s to be expected, given what’s happened to me over the past year.”

  He watched her staring down at their hands, side by side, and when she slid her fingers over his, he nearly pulled away, but didn’t. Instead, he forced himself to relax. She wanted truth from him, and he wasn’t able to give it. That knowledge tarnished this moment.

  She squeezed his hand gently. “There have been too many lies and deceits in my life. Too many secrets and misdeeds. All the lies that reached through the years to sabotage me were originally told for selfish reasons. My parents broke the law by entering into an illegal marriage. I know they tried to correct their error, but because of their lingering shame, they didn’t trust their solicitor enough to make arrangements to provide for us after they died. Their secret stole our birthright from us. My grandfather was driven from his village by the father of the woman he loved, and the truth of his child was kept from him until it was too late.” Catherine shook her head. “Those are the lies that hurt. The secrets that should never be kept in the first place.”

  Robert nodded. The lies that had been forced upon him were of a similar nature. He’d simply been fortunate that they’d never come to light. “I assure you that Catherine’s secret is nothing like the ones that hurt you and your sisters. She and Daniel are the only people who would be harmed if it ever came to light, and they’re both fully aware of the consequences.”

  She nodded. “I hope you’re right. In fact, if what I suspect is true, I would think the only consequence would be ostracism, and since she’s a marchioness, it wouldn’t be nearly as severe as what my sisters and I have endured. We live in a progressive age, so perhaps being known as a woman fencer wouldn’t be such a terrible thing.”

  So, she’d guessed Catherine’s secret, had she? Clever girl. He had to admire her for not trying to pry the information out of him. She wasn’t even watching him to see if she’d guessed correctly. “Things aren’t quite so progressive for members of the peerage. We’re expected to be bastions against change rather than champions of it. But people like Catherine and Daniel are driven to push the limits of those restrictions. They’re already considered unconventional, so if her secret comes out, perhaps it would be viewed as nothing more than an eccentricity.”

  “I hope so.”

  If the secret he’d kept for so many years came to light, would he be so easily forgiven? It had been a long time since he’d considered the question in this light. Perhaps it would. After all, many years had passed, and he’d done much to help the injured parties during that time.

  But treason was treason. Frederick’s reaction to Antonia’s theft of the book was proof enough of that. But then again, Frederick had relented, hadn’t he? And that was doubly surprising since he had a particular hatred for that crime. Of course, Antonia’s situation was a unique one.

  It was difficult to choose the right path when one weighed the many factors involved. Right became wrong and white became black. Choosing the best alternative became a fluid decision, one that was altered with each new piece of information. And right now, the information was all in Antonia’s favor.

  The carriage drew to a halt outside the Huntley home. Robert jumped down, leaping over the step, and offered Antonia his arm as she stepped down. The Tidmore’s carriage was pulling to a stop as they approached the front door. He felt something brush against his calf and glanced down to see her skirts enveloping his legs.

  He didn’t suppress his smile. There was comfort in this sort of closeness and shared companionship.

  The judge and his wife joined them a moment later, and they were all quickly ushered inside the foyer.

  “Lady Huntley asks that you wait for her in the drawing room,” the butler said.

  “Then she’s here? My daughter?” Lady Tidmore asked.

  “Yes, Lady Tidmore. Lady Huntley will bring her to you as soon as I send her word that you’ve arrived.”

  “Very good,” Lord Tidmore said, and then turned to Robert and Antonia. “Meet me back at my home in an hour,” he told them. “We’ll have brought our daughter home by then and we can discuss your urgent business.”

  Robert hesitated, surprised at being dismissed in this way, but then nodded. This was a family moment. He and Antonia would only be in the way.

  “I’ll see you there. I’d have preferred to give you and your family more time together, but I don’t have that luxury. Once you hear what we have to say, you’ll understand.”

  §

  When Robert and Antonia arrived an hour later, it was already dark outside. They found Lord Tidmore waiting for them in his drawing room.

  “Thank you again, Lord Wentworth. Miss Winter,” Lord Tidmore said. “We’ve been searching for Imogen for over a week. I hired a man who specialized in this sort of thing, but he had no success. How could she have traveled so far alone? I must say, I’m thankful she had the sense to go to Lord Huntley’s home for help.”

  “I assume your daughter didn’t bolt before Lady Huntley was able to bring her to you,” Antonia said.

  “We were fortunate there. Imogen had no idea we were in the room until the door had already closed behind her. An
d then her mother ran to her and began crying with relief. I don’t think Imogen realized how worried we were.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure what led her to think we didn’t care, but that will change.”

  Lord Tidmore crossed to a sideboard and began clinking a bottle and glasses. A moment later, there came the sound of liquid being poured. “Can I offer you both something to drink? I have some fine sherry,” he called over his shoulder.

  Antonia nodded, and Robert said, “Yes. Thank you.”

  Tidmore sloshed more liquid into glasses, handed them to Robert and Antonia, and then dropped into the wing-backed chair to face them.

  Lord Tidmore narrowed his eyes. “The niceties are out of the way. It’s been a long day, and I’d like to rejoin my family as quickly as possible. You said you came here for a purpose unrelated to my personal problems— and it’s urgent. Is that correct?” He cocked an eyebrow.

  “I’m here to ask you to help expedite a case that has ties to a matter of intense interest to the queen,” Robert said, setting his sherry glass on the end table next to him. “You happen to be uniquely qualified to examine the evidence and make a ruling, and your knowledge of the Russian language and legal system will be integral to your decision-making process.”

  Tidmore puffed out his lower lip and then nodded to himself. “Due to my daughter’s disappearance, I am not currently adjudicating any cases, but I have a number of them waiting for my return. If I agree to hear yours, you’ll need to obtain a barrister and be ready to see me tomorrow.” He held up his hand as though warding off the objections he was certain would come. “That’s the best I can do.”

  “We’ve already sent for Mr. Montlake. He’s a new barrister and formerly did some work as a solicitor. Do you know him?”

  “The name sounds familiar.” Lord Tidmore sipped his sherry as he gazed into the distance. “Ah, yes. He was involved in that strange affair at the Mivart Hotel when a jewelry collection was stolen. I believe he helped capture the thief, did he not?”

  “Yes, he did,” Antonia said.

  “He’s never been in my courtroom, but the man has to have a first time. If he can be ready by tomorrow morning, I’ll hear the case at nine o’clock.”

  Robert nodded, not bothering to hide his relief. “That will be acceptable. May I outline the pertinent issues for you as they pertain to the queen’s interests?”

  As Robert spoke, Tidmore opened a desk and extracted some paper and a pen. “Only if you can speak in broad strokes. I realize you aren’t a trained barrister, so I won’t expect you to behave as such, but please don’t try to sway me regarding the case. All you’ll accomplish is to irritate me. I’ll make my decision based on facts and on the law. Is that understood?”

  “Completely. That’s all I can ask.”

  Robert quickly outlined the importance of the book to the queen. He explained the danger Antonia was in as well as her relationship with the czar. “This is why the matter needs to be addressed as quickly and quietly as possible. The contents of that church register are simply too explosive.”

  “Then why do I need to see it at all? Shouldn’t you give it to Her Majesty?”

  “The book records the marriage between Miss Winter’s parents. Without that, she and her sisters are considered illegitimate.”

  “Ah. Go no further,” Tidmore said, holding up his hand to stem the flow of words. “I’d prefer to have those details presented to me tomorrow in court.” He scrawled a few more notes before returning his attention to them. “Thank you for outlining the pertinent facts. I’ll expect to see you and Miss Winter tomorrow morning.” He rose, indicating that the meeting was over.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.

  - Sun Tzu

  “Antonia. Good, you’re back,” Frederick said as soon as she stepped into the foyer at the Woolsy House. “You’ll be pleased to hear that Mr. Montlake has already arrived and is in Robert’s study preparing for court.”

  Antonia’s spirits rose. Things finally seemed to be going her way. If anyone could win this case, it would be Devin Montlake.

  “That’s excellent news,” Robert said as he closed the door behind them, blocking the cold, swirling wind.

  “Did Tidmore agree to hear your case?”

  Antonia smiled broadly. “Yes. Tomorrow at nine in the morning.”

  “It’s a good thing Mr. Montlake came here so promptly.” Frederick rubbed at his chin. “Can you think of anything else we need to do to prepare?”

  “I almost forgot,” she said. “I need to send Father Sergey a letter informing him of tomorrow’s proceedings. Mr. Montlake will need to call him as a witness.”

  “I can draft the letter if you like,” Frederick said. “That would leave you free to meet with Mr. Montlake. He’s been asking for you.”

  Antonia considered the idea and then nodded. “Thank you.” She pressed her finger to her lips and stared at Frederick for a moment. “Perhaps you can help with something else as well. Father Sergey still wants confirmation that my uncle is the man who set fire to the church. He recognized him, but— he’s concerned his memory could be faulty. You’re a clever fellow. Can you think of a way to get my uncle to remove his gloves while he’s in court? He wears them all the time and Father Sergey would like to know if one of his hands is severely burned.”

  Frederick stared at her. “I thought he was certain?”

  “He is, but I think he’s nervous. He’s doubting himself.”

  Frederick cast a contemplative gaze toward the ceiling. “That’s an interesting challenge. Gloves, eh?” Then he gave a curt nod. “Rest assured. I’ll find a way.” He walked away without saying anything more and headed in the direction of the plant conservatory, seemingly hard at work devising a plan.

  “My brother is clever. If he says he’ll find a way, he will.”

  “I’m relieved he decided to help me rather than hinder me.”

  “He’d make a formidable foe.” Robert gestured toward the hallway leading to the study. “Mr. Montlake is in the room you and I used last night,” Robert said.

  A faint heat washed over Antonia at his oblique reference to what had taken place between them less than twenty-four hours ago. So much had changed since then.

  When she didn’t move right away, Robert placed his hand on the small of her back and gently urged her to move toward the hallway. His touch sent a surge of warmth through her, and that faint heat began to intensify. She moved into the hallway, and then swayed toward him, ever so slightly.

  Robert moved closer, his eyes sharp with concern. But when he took in her flushed appearance, he wrapped his other arm around her waist, encircling her and pressing her body against his.

  “You aren’t feeling faint again, are you?” The corner of his mouth twitched as though he was teasing her.

  “Again? When was I faint?”

  “That night at the embassy,” he said, leaning down so that his cheek brushed against her temple and his breath was warm on the side of her face. “When I first saw you, you were feeling faint.”

  Antonia swallowed. “But that— that was only a ruse.” The heat continued to rise, and she could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears. She laid her palm against his chest. At first she meant to push him away, but then she slid it up, sliding her hand around his neck to cup it.

  Robert’s mouth came crashing down on hers. One moment they were still talking, and the next she found herself falling into his kiss.

  Antonia let out a tiny whimper of delight. Delight at his touch. Delight at his taste. His feel. Him.

  A door opened down the hallway, and a burst of girlish laughter came spilling forth.

  Antonia jerked away. She glanced down the hallway and spotted Robert’s sister. Fortunately, Emily was glancing back over her shoulder at Stephanie and Evalina and seemed oblivious to what she’d interrupted.
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  The girl wore a white Grecian-style costume that flowed around her legs as she moved. Antonia’s sisters appeared to be similarly clad. Catherine stood behind them, pressing her hand against her lower back. She looked weary.

  Robert reacted with aplomb and tucked her arm through his. He continued escorting her down the hallway as though nothing of note had just transpired. Antonia could only hope that if her sisters noticed her flushed cheeks, they would attribute it to the fact that Antonia had just come in from the cold.

  “You’re back,” Emily said, catching sight of them.

  “We’ve been working on the pantomime all afternoon,” Evalina said, twirling around. “Do you like our costumes?” She darted forward to greet them and gave Antonia a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “Everything is coming along splendidly,” Stephanie added. “Lady Emily—”

  “No, you must call me Emily. I insist.”

  Stephanie grinned. “Emily also insisted that we stay for dinner.”

  “She can be a bit insistent,” Evalina added, “but I like that about her. She insists about the most wonderful things.”

  “She also insists that we sleep here tonight since we won’t be able to perform our pantomime until after dinner,” Stephanie said, rushing the words out as though she was afraid that her sister might utter them first.

  Evalina scowled at her.

  “That’s another problem solved,” Robert murmured. “I assume they’ll want to be in court tomorrow morning too.”

  “Court?” Evalina asked. “Why would we want to go to court?”

  “Has something happened? Have you found the church register?” Stephanie asked. She moved closer to Evalina and wrapped her arms around her waist as though afraid to hear the answer.

  Antonia hesitated, not wanting to get their hopes up only to dash them again, but tomorrow was just as important to them as it was to her. They needed to know. “Lord Wentworth was able to find a judge who will hear our case again. Tomorrow.”