“It was the worst moment of my life when I handed her to George. I’m so grateful that she was well taken care of.”
Mary patted her hand. “I know, but now we are all together again.” You’ll have time to get to know Isabel, and Georgette too. She seems like such a fine young woman.”
“She is indeed. I couldn’t have asked for a better match for Dalton. I’ve seen the way he looks at her and I know they’ll have a wonderful life together.
***
Isabel hugged her sister and whispered in her ear. “My dearest sister, I’m so happy for you. I promise I’ll come and see you soon, but not too soon.”
Georgette chuckled. “Thank you, dearest. No one could ask for a more loving sister. Please do come and visit soon. It will seem strange not to see you everyday.”
“I will. I promise, but right now, I do believe our husbands are anxious to be away.”
Isabel went to mother. “Good-bye, Lady Hunt. I will see you soon.”
Charlotte hugged her daughter and tears welled in her eyes. “Goodbye, Isabel. I’m so looking forward to knowing you better.”
“As am I,” Isabel said and kissed her cheek.
Lord and Lady Tisbury were standing by the carriage. Colby shook his father’s hand and kissed his mother’s cheek. “We’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“Of course, take good care of Isabel,” Mary said. “She’s a very special young lady.”
Colby nodded. “Indeed she is, Mother.”
Isabel came to stand next to Colby and said her goodbyes. “Thank you for such a lovely breakfast feast, Lady Tisbury. I’ve never seen anything so grand.”
“It was my pleasure, dear. Now, off with the two of you.”
Isabel curtsied to Lord Hunt. “Good-bye, Lord Hunt.”
Albert nodded. “Good-bye.”
The driver offered Isabel a hand as she climbed into the carriage. She’d never been in anything so splendid before. “It’s beautiful,” she said, as she snuggled next to her husband while the carriage wound its way toward the Tisbury country estate. “Husband. That has a wonderful sound, don’t you think?”
“My dearest wife, I couldn’t agree with you more.”
“Will your parents follow soon?”
“Perhaps in a few weeks. I think they’d like to give us some measure of privacy before joining us.” Colby leaned down and tilted her chin up. He brushed his lips against her and was thrilled when she moaned in delight. “I can think of many things that we will need privacy for.”
A blush spread across Isabel’s cheeks. “Mr. Tisbury, should you say such things?” she asked in a teasing tone.
“Yes, and Mrs. Tisbury, I will tell you now that I will be saying a great many more things to you as we begin our wonderful life together.”
“I can hardly wait, my darling,” she said, leaning in to kiss Colby again. Their kiss deepened and she knew that she had finally found her home and a family. It was a happy day indeed.
THE END
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DARE TO LOVE A SPY
Age of Innocence, Book 3
2016 Copyright © by Debra Elizabeth
Cover image by Romance Novel Covers
Cover Design © by www.TERyvisions.com
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Chapter 1
London, England
1817
Camden Darkin, the Duke of Wetherby, hurried along the path in the gardens of Lady Tisbury’s London estate. He hardly noticed how exquisite the gardens were, with their meticulous attention to detail to color and beauty, for he was not here tonight to admire the head gardener’s work. A foreboding was building in his chest as he walked farther on, and though his instincts were usually correct, he hoped this time he would be proven wrong. That would be the best outcome for all involved, although he doubted it would come to pass. His eyes strained as he searched darkness-cloaked gardens.
A slight movement caught his eye and Camden rushed forward. His contact was waiting for him.
Without any preamble, the man spoke. “White Knight is down,” he whispered when Camden reached his side.
Camden paused, trepidation forcing his hands into fists. This was not what he had expected his contact to say. It was harsh news indeed, but maybe the situation was salvageable. “For good?”
“Yes.”
Camden’s mind raced ahead to the fundamental question still unanswered. “Did he deliver the package?”
“No way to tell. His throat was cut, and he had nothing on his person.”
Despair crinkled at the corners of Camden’s slate-gray eyes. This was a disaster. Unfortunately, his instincts had been proven correct and it was not something that he relished. “Perhaps he was returning from the delivery.”
The man hesitated before he spoke again. “That’s two now.”
Camden reached out and touched the man’s arm. “I know. It is indeed dreadful news. Pass the word that we must all be extra vigilant going forward. No one is to venture out alone. We cannot afford to lose any more before we find out who is behind these killings. Seems we have a traitor in our midst.”
The man nodded. “Seems so.”
Camden swallowed hard, finding it difficult to believe such news. It was a devastating blow to their network. White Knight had been one of the best and longest-serving spies in the Crown’s employ. In his career, he’d been able to foil countless attempts against the king’s life. If someone had been able to get the jump on him, then they were all in grave danger. Camden’s insides churned while acid climbed up into his throat. He could hardly believe White Knight was gone, for he was not just a fellow spy; he was Camden’s oldest and closest friend. His death was personal, and Camden made a silent vow to bring the killer to justice regardless of what needed to be done. He would avenge his friend’s death at any cost.
The man asked, “Will you tell him?”
A grimace passed over Camden’s face. “Yes, but I don’t relish the task. I try to visit the Home Office as little as possible these days. Jeffries has not been in the most gracious of moods lately.”
“He must—”
A twig snapped nearby. Camden placed a finger across his lips and pointed at the path. His contact understood and silently slipped away while Camden went to investigate exactly who was in the gardens, eavesdropping on their conversation.
***
Seventeen-year-old Hannah Richardson curtsied to her partner before leaving the dance floor. Her cheeks were flushed, and the ringlets of her rich brown hair that had escaped their pins lay wet against her neck. She made her way to the double doors leading to the balcony overlooking her aunt’s gardens and stepped through. She looked around to make sure there were no gentlemen in the vicinity so as to not compromise her reputation. She was hot from dancing and a few moments outside on the balcony couldn’t possibly cause a scandal. She inhaled deeply of the cool night air. Goosebumps rose on her arms from the chill, but she ignored them. She was happy to be out of the stuffy ballroom, if only for a moment or two. Aunt Mary’s gardens were one of her favorite places to visit, and she felt at home and comfortable here. It was her own private sanctuary, and she relished the beauty and peacefulness of the place. A few goose bumps were well worth it for such a sanctuary.
A smile graced her lips. Hannah was happier than she’d ever been, especially since her parents had agreed to allow her to have a Season this year. She knew they wanted her to wait another year, but life in the country was boring. She craved the excitement of London. She would turn eighteen in June, and she didn’t w
ant to let another Season to go by without enjoying it to the fullest. She had badgered her parents relentlessly, but it was only when Aunt Mary offered to host her that her parents had finally agreed she could come to London. Hannah had been overjoyed at the prospect of staying with her aunt. She loved her dearly and knew her aunt would make sure she enjoyed herself, with lots of engagements and parties to attend. Lady Mary Tisbury was a respected member of the ton, and there was never a shortage of guests at her London townhouse nor of invitations to teas and soirees. Hannah hugged herself, thrilled to be here.
The Season thus far had been most entertaining, most especially because Hannah wasn’t on the hunt for a husband like many of the other young ladies who were attending their first Season. Her parents were not pushing for that either. She had time to find a husband, although she would like to experience the excitement of the hunt, especially after watching her brother, Ethan, marry Emily Stanton and her cousin, Colby Tisbury, marry Lady Isabel Knott, all within the last two years. She craved that drama, that rush of tantalizing feelings of impending romance, of flinging oneself into the pool of suitors and being the one to decide which young man would sweep her off her feet. But she had no obligation to marry any particular suitor so it made the Season one enjoyable party after another.
Tonight, her aunt was having a dinner party followed by dancing. Hannah was trying hard to remember to address her as Lady Tisbury in public and not revert to the more familiar moniker of Aunt Mary. Tonight’s affair was as lavish as ever, and she was enjoying it immensely.
“It’s so lovely here,” she murmured as she stepped off the balcony and wandered down the path while breathing in the exotic smells of the gardens. Her aunt had hired the best and most experienced gardener in London, and no other gardens rivaled the Tisbury Gardens, especially with its many varieties of roses. Hannah bent over one of the more fragrant roses and breathed deeply. When she straightened, she thought she heard voices scattered on the breeze. She looked farther down the path, but the shadows were deep and no one was in sight.
“Who’s there?” she whispered. Perhaps it was a couple seeking privacy. She knew she shouldn’t go snooping, but the thought of seeing who was meeting in secret spurred her down the path.
She looked left and right, but there was no one around. She sighed. There would be no spying on illicit love tonight and it was time to return to the ballroom before her own reputation was compromised. Before she could take another step, an arm circled around her waist and a hand tightened around her throat as she was tugged back against a broad, hard chest.
“Oh!” she cried out in surprise as her heart hammered in fright. A cold, quiet terror unfurled in her chest. She had never been handled so roughly in her life. Who would dare do such a thing, and especially in her aunt’s gardens? What was the meaning of this?
“You must be careful not to walk alone at night, Miss Richardson,” a deep, husky voice whispered in her ear.
“What do you want? Unhand me at once,” she demanded, her rising indignation overtaking her original scare.
“To pass along a warning, that is all. Heed my advice,” he said, his hot breath on her neck sending unexpected shivers down her spine.
“How dare you put your hands upon my person?” she asked, trying to dislodge the arm around her waist.
In an instant, the pressure was gone, and she almost felt adrift with the mystery man gone. Hannah whirled around to confront the scoundrel who had accosted her, but there was no one there.
“Well, I never,” she said, putting her hands on her hips and stomping her foot. The encounter had unsettled her more than she wanted to admit, but if she was completely honest, that deep voice had resonated within her and she was more than a little curious about who the owner of it could be. She was being foolish, of course, and shook her head free of such thoughts. A gentleman should never put his hands on a lady like that, and yet, it had been thrilling all the same.
With one last look around the gardens, it was time to rejoin the party, as she’d had enough fresh air for one evening. She walked back to the balcony and slipped inside the double doors. She looked around the ballroom, but no one appeared to be looking for her. She said a silent prayer of thanks and took a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart. The last thing she needed was a scandal during her first Season.
She glanced across the floor and saw her aunt talking with a gentlemen Hannah didn’t know. His tall and his erect posture exuded confidence. He’d arrived only moments before dinner was served and been seated at the other end of the dining table, and she’d had no chance to inquire after his name. Who was this handsome stranger? She was determined to find out the identity of the gentleman, especially since she hadn’t been able to identify the rogue in the garden.
She walked around the perimeter of the room, avoiding the couples whirling around the dance floor and eventually stood next to her aunt. “Aunt Mary, do you have a secret? Isn’t that why people usually whisper to one another?”
Mary’s head whipped around.
Hannah swallowed hard when she saw her aunt’s lips set in a grim line. Although her aunt was not a large woman, her hard stare was enough to wilt even the strongest of men.
“Hannah, you forget yourself.”
Hannah lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry, Aunt…I mean Lady Tisbury. I meant no disrespect. Please forgive me.”
Hannah breathed a sigh of relief when Mary patted her hand. “No harm done, dear, but please mind your manners in the future. Besides, I hold no secrets. The Duke of Wetherby and I were merely discussing tonight’s event.” Mary turned toward the duke. “Your Grace, I don’t believe you’ve had the pleasure of an introduction. This is my niece, Miss Hannah Richardson. She is staying with me for the Season.”
Hannah curtsied. “Your Grace. A pleasure to meet you.”
Camden bowed. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Richardson.”
Hannah studied him. He was older, but she had no idea what his actual age might be. He could be her brother, Ethan’s, age of twenty-seven, or perhaps a year older, but whatever his age, she found the handsome lord intriguing, especially his piercing gray eyes. He commanded the room with his mere presence, and no other gentleman attending tonight could hold a candle to him. He was taller than most men and blessed with a chiseled jawline and broad shoulders. His black hair curled around his ears and brushed against his collar. What spectacular hair he had. She felt a sudden urge to run her hands through it.
Run my hands through his hair? Where did that come from?
Hannah’s curiosity was piqued. What had her aunt and the Duke of Wetherby been whispering about? Surely not something as mundane as tonight’s dinner—she hardly thought that warranted whispering. She had never seen the duke before, although she had visited her aunt regularly during her youth. It was indeed a puzzle, and she adored solving puzzles.
“I was complimenting Lady Tisbury on hosting another wonderful affair,” Camden added.
Hannah gave him her prettiest smile. “Are your compliments so rare that you find the need to whisper them, Your Grace?”
A twitch in his jaw was the only indication her question surprised him. “Not at all, Miss Richardson, but with the orchestra playing, I wanted to be heard.”
Hannah had not yet controlled her impulsiveness and blurted out what she was thinking. “I see. Do you dance?”
Camden arched an eyebrow. “I beg your pardon?”
Now that she had voiced her thoughts, she had to follow through. “It’s a simple question, Your Grace. Do you dance?” Hannah glanced at her aunt, who had raised her fan to hide her grin.
“I do indeed,” Camden said.
“Excellent. I find myself without a partner for the final quadrille. Perhaps you could be persuaded to partner me?”
Camden cleared his throat. “I should be delighted, Miss Richardson.”
Hannah curtsied again. “Thank you, Your Grace. I look forward to it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I see my next partner is waiting for
me.”
Chapter 2
Camden’s gaze swept over Hannah Richardson, watching the gentle sway of her hips as she walked away. He could see she had a small waist, and just for a moment, he wondered what other delights he’d find under all that silk. She had surprised him with her directness, especially in one so young. He admired her spirit and wondered how she would feel in his arms while he kissed her sweet lips, but he knew that was impossible, especially in his line of work. She was someone he would court, but he would not allow himself that privilege; it was too dangerous. It was best not to become attached to anyone, although the thought of Hannah pressed against him sent a pang of longing and need through his core. It had been far too long since he’d enjoyed the pleasures of a woman. “A delightful young lady,” he said, turning toward Mary. “A bit forward for her first Season though. I would not put it past some of the ton to label her that or worse yet, loose if they overhear her.”
“She’s a handful, Camden,” Mary said, expelling a sigh. “Why do you think I’m hosting her this Season instead of her parents? They had wanted her to wait another year to curb her wild streak, but Hannah can be relentless when she wants something.”
“I’m sure you have the matter quite in hand, but there is something else I need to discuss with you, most especially without anyone else overhearing us.”
Mary nodded. “Of course, walk with me to the refreshment table, and we’ll find a quiet corner in which to speak.”
Camden extended his arm and escorted her around the dancing couples. With glasses of punch in hand, Mary nodded to the far corner.
When they took their seats at the small table, Mary raised her fan and whispered, “What is so urgent that you must relay the information here? This is most unexpected. I like it not.”
“I’m sorry for talking about this at your dinner party, but it’s terrible news I bring you. I would not have intruded on you otherwise.”
Age of Innocence Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Page 31