Michael paced between the honeysuckle hedge and the roses. “I can think of none. She is her own person. I’ll apprise Lord Hughes of the danger. I can discover where she will be every night, and if you can try to attend, I shall also be present in some way to keep an eye out. Perhaps between the two of us we can endeavor to keep her safe.”
Charles nodded. “Tonight it is the Wilmington soirée. Ugh. I hate those things.”
“Rather be out fending off blackguards attempting to hold up carriages?”
“Neither is enjoyable. The spy life is waning in its attractions.”
“I would suggest other ‘attractions’ have garnered your attention, but I suspect you’d retaliate.” With a tip of his hat he was off.
Charles shook his head at his departing friend. As much as he hated to admit it, Michael was correct. A certain woman’s charms were definitely distracting.
He went inside to prepare for the evening. The lone bright spot to hours conversing with debutantes would be possibly engaging Miss Allendale in a conversation. He enjoyed verbally sparring with her. And that’s not all, is it? By no means was it all.
She’d been slowly reeling his heart in against both their wills.
And nothing good could come of it.
~*~
Walking into the Wilmington home, he handed off his hat and cane and strode into the first room where people milled around and talked. He didn’t see Henrietta, but came across Lady Grey sitting with another dowager. He caught her eye, gave her a nod and strode forward and through to an adjoining room. Library, if he guessed correctly.
Fewer people mingled in there, but again no Henrietta. He spied Marcus. Intent on his errand he walked through several other spaces until he came to the ballroom set up for the performance of some music. Still, no Miss Allendale.
Someone bumped into him. “Garden,” the man whispered and was gone in a flash, but Charles knew instantly it was Sir Michael.
The night was balmy but clear, so Charles stepped onto the back patio and wandered around until he found Miss Allendale alone and gazing at a statue of a young woman, partially clothed, in the embrace of a man, also with little clothing. He came to stand alongside her. The scent of spring drew him closer.
She startled when she realized she wasn’t alone.
“What makes a man and a woman do such things?”
He frowned. “What things?”
She pointed to the statue. “Remove clothes. Touch…”
“Lust. Passion. Sometimes even love. It needs to happen for the human race to continue on.”
“I never really understood it.”
He reached to touch her arm and she swung to face him, her eyes searching his. “You really feel nothing?” he asked. Warmth spread through him and it took all his will to not pull her closer.
Her frown tempted him to kiss her. He’d be fortunate if he walked out alive if he tried it.
He gulped. “We should return inside.”
The click of a gun was his first warning they were no longer alone.
Her wide eyes indicated she knew nothing of the intruder’s presence.
The man stepped forward with a domino covering his face. “Come on, little lady. Do as I say and no one will hurt you.”
The gun was pointed at Charles’s temple. “Courage, sweetheart,” he whispered as her face lost all color.
“Sorry to disturb this lover’s tété-a-tété. Oh, wait. I’m not sorry at all.” He grabbed for Henrietta, but she backed away.
“If you’re going to steal her away could you at least give us one last moment together?”
Henrietta’s wide eyes held questions.
The gun lowered. “Fine. But I get to watch.”
“You’re evil,” Miss Allendale said.
“You’ll understand that more fully soon enough.” The man cackled.
Charles reached for her and pulled her to himself. “If I might die let it be with the thought of your lips on mine,” he whispered as he lowered his head to hers. Their lips met, and he fought to keep himself from being drawn into the well of sensations they conjured in him. He broke it off and held her close. “Be brave.”
A swift roundhouse kick knocked the gun out of the man’s hand but not before it fired, nicking the statue.
Henrietta ducked as the man swung for Charles.
The two fought, but soon the man was subdued and Charles quieted him by shoving the man’s head into the pool beneath the statue until he stopped struggling. Pulling the attacker from the water, Charles dropped the man on the ground, checking to make sure the man was still alive. He was. Charles stood.
Henrietta rushed into his arms and pressed her lips to his again. This time he allowed himself the moment to savor her sweetness. With his arms wrapped around her, he was in heaven.
A throat cleared. “Explain yourself.”
Henrietta stepped back as if her brother had slapped her. Her hand rose to cover her lips.
“We were having a conversation when this ruffian set upon us, threatening to drag your sister away. I defeated him, and she expressed her gratitude.”
“Gratitude is a few words of thanks or a bottle of brandy—not what I witnessed.”
“Marcus,” Henrietta pleaded.
“Hush. I’ve given you freedom, but this time you’ve crossed a line.” He pointed to the house. “See all those windows? That gunshot surely brought eyes to them to witness your ‘gratitude.’”
Marcus turned to Charles.
“I’ll be on your doorstep in the morning to make arrangements,” Charles said, frowning.
Lord Remington’s shoulders dropped as he let out a sigh. “Thank you for saving her life and her reputation. I will let it out that you are engaged.”
“But!” Henrietta protested. She turned to Charles. “Was this a set-up?”
“No. I would never do that to you.” All the previous joy at her kiss dissipated like a vapor.
“How do I know for sure? You lied to me about your title.”
“I already explained that and apologized. I thought you’d forgiven me.”
“Forgive you? I hardly know you and now we’re supposed to march to the altar? What of all that tripe you fed me about—”
“Henri. I’m warning you. Cease.” Her brother took her arm and escorted her away as she railed at him.
Sir Michael met Charles as he came around another side of the house. “Congratulations are in order?”
Brows furrowed, Charles stared at his friend. “You didn’t have anything to do with this, did you?”
“You mean other than to remove that ruffian while you three were arguing? No.”
“Thank you. Do you think he’ll talk? Lead us to the Black Diamond?”
“Doubtful. Right now he’s not even awake to tell us his name, much less anything else. I watched you take him down and leave him alive. Nicely done.”
Shaking his head, Charles sighed. “Escape the gun only to face the noose.”
“Didn’t appear to me that you minded the sample you had.”
Charles growled and stalked off. He needed to sleep—and be prepared to show Marcus he was able to care for a bride. He wasn’t too disappointed with the outcome, with the exception of her lack of acceptance. After that kiss? Part of him was grateful for Marcus’s timely interruption. He hadn’t intended to compromise her, but after what he’d experienced, the temptation of those lips and wide eyes was too much to pass up. And the thought that he would have the legal right to sample them did not bring the dismay he anticipated.
Strangely enough, he experienced joy.
Now if only he could convince Henrietta that this marriage to him could be everything she’d ever hoped for and more.
~*~
Henrietta marched up the stairs to her room. She’d refused to talk to Marcus all the way home. She admitted to herself that the situation wasn’t entirely Charles’s fault. She’d been attempting to draw out the attacker when Charles arrived. And she hadn’t fought his
advances either. Especially after he’d kissed her that first time. She’d initiated the second, but couldn’t regret it.
Her fingers touched her lips, and she stood to look in the mirror. Was she changed by the encounter? Would people be able to look at her and see it written on her features?
Hair had begun to escape its pins since Charles’s embrace, so she pulled out all the pins and allowed her long locks to flow freely.
Marriage. And a forced one at that. She sighed. Well, if she was to be forced into the wedded state, it was at least with a man she could cross swords with verbally and who also understood the spy game they both played. And, as she’d witnessed tonight, he was also a man who would be willing to give his life to save hers.
That thought sobered her. She sat on the bed, numb. Images of him not even flinching as the gun was held to his temple but focused solely on giving her strength ran through her mind.
Images of him beating the attacker and almost drowning him followed. She feared he might even kill the man. Not that it wasn’t what the villain deserved. She remembered what Charles had said when they’d first met. He desired to leave judgment over life and death to God and the magistrate.
Wisdom. The thought that she might have killed the attacker herself, had the opportunity presented itself, shamed her more than being caught in Charles’s embrace.
Marriage. To Charles. As much as she railed against it, there was a part of her that trembled with excitement at the thought of more of those kisses and the sensations his touch elicited.
Something so delightful certainly couldn’t be good.
9
Charles brought information about his financial status to Lord Remington early the next morning. In the study, Marcus peppered him with questions
After they negotiated the transfer of her dowry upon marriage, the Viscount stood and extended his hand. “Welcome to the family, Lord Percy.”
Nodding, Charles extended his own hand and they shook. “I’ll be putting that money in a trust for her and any children. I won’t be able to touch it. I do not want to give you any reservations about this union.”
“Now you’ll only need to convince her. She’s probably already paced a hole in the Persian rug.”
Charles turned to leave the study and, after a deep breath, opened the door to the sitting room. He closed it behind him.
“Give me a kiss!” Peaches squawked. “Pish, posh!”
Henrietta pivoted to face him, her expression serious. He strode to her and clasped both her hands. “You are a beautiful ray of sunshine, and when you exited that carriage the day we first met, I was struck by the brilliance of your appearance which was dull in comparison to your spirit and wit. I think part of me realized my heart was in trouble. All my hard-won bachelor reasons melted away with every encounter since. Last night, the thought that I could lose you forever was too much to bear. I gave in to my desire to touch and hold you. As if for one moment I could experience the wonder of what it would be like if we had a future together. I tasted that future in your kiss, and I realized you had won. I have fallen in love with you.”
“Balderdash and fiddlesticks!” cried Peaches.
“You lied about your title, and we’ve never once talked about your work for the government. How can I trust what you say is true?”
“Love ‘rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.’”
“You’ll quote God’s word to defend yourself?”
“Test it. Did I allow a thief to potentially rob or kill you?”
“No. And you let him live.” She pouted.
“Because I do not rejoice in evil deeds, or those who do them.”
“But you lied to me about your title.”
“But I hated doing it and repented. I did not revel in the lie but did rejoice that you forgave my transgression.”
“You haven’t told others your role in the government.”
“Neither have you, because our role is to defeat evil and ensure traitors are brought to justice so our men overseas are not injured by lies spread by others.”
“You said you loved me.” She attempted to step back.
He paused and drew her closer. She was just a shade shorter, so they stood almost nose to nose. “I would gladly give my life for you, and I believe I proved that last night.”
“So you didn’t want to kiss me? It was only a ruse to get him to drop his defenses?”
“It was both. I’d wanted to taste those lips since the day I first met you. If I had to die, it was the one thing I wanted most other than to see you safe.”
“I don’t know.” She pulled her hands free.
“Give me a kiss!” Smacking sounds came from Peaches.
“You’re a target, Henrietta, and I would do everything in my power to protect you. I cannot do that unless you are my wife. I find it less likely they will seek you once you are wed.”
“No more virginal sacrifice.”
“Correct.”
“All of this on the altar of expedience to fend off scandal.” She strode away. “And at my brother’s insistence. If none of this had happened, you wouldn’t have offered for me.”
He followed her and placed a hand on each arm as he came from behind. “Maybe not this soon, but I hoped in time to prove to you that we are exceptionally well-matched, and that our love and work together would be a perfect combination.”
“But I swore I would never wed.”
“Because you didn’t believe someone would love you for you.”
“My dowry—”
“Pish, posh!” Peaches squawked.
“Will be yours, held in trust for you and any children. And I will give you a generous allowance as well as carte blanche in decorating our homes.”
“I have expensive tastes.”
“I believe I can support you in style.”
“I always wanted to go to the Continent for a wedding holiday.”
“A woman who vowed never to wed planned a holiday for her wedding?”
She turned in his arms, her face pink. “Give me time to think about this.”
“Your brother desires to call the banns this Sunday.”
“No banns. A small affair at Rose Hill. If I say yes, can you procure a Special License?”
“But of course, if that’s what you desire. My estate is not far from Rose Hill, so we could spend our first night there before traveling.”
“You would seriously consider taking me into war zones?”
“If that’s what you desire.”
She gazed into his eyes, silent.
“Anything else?”
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
He was more than happy to oblige.
~*~
She savored the sensations his kiss stirred within her. Her arms sneaked up around his neck as if she could pull him even closer. He pulled back, and she whimpered in dismay.
“Darling, sweet Henrietta. No more of those until we are wed.”
“Why?”
“Lest we anticipate the wedding night.”
She didn’t quite understand, but soon it dawned on her. He desired to bed her. She had no clue what that even entailed, but if it was anything close to as wonderful as his potent kisses, she was hard-pressed to say no.
He turned to leave.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving you to think over my proposal. The ring I have for you is safe and will wait until our wedding day. Your brother may not be as patient as I am but the truth is, your cover is compromised until this is resolved. Please give me your answer soon. If you reject me, you’ll be a pariah amongst the ton. And please, be careful. Someone is still out to harm you. Whoever did that might seek to kill you next time.” He strode out with the door closing behind him.
Lady Grey soon entered. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Are you engaged to marry Lord Percy?”
“I’m considering it.”
“Well, think about it while w
e pack. Marcus decided that if you cannot make up your mind within two days, we will be off to Rose Hill posthaste. You will not want to face down society after last night’s debacle without a notice sent to the Times and a date set for the wedding.”
“Am I truly in that much trouble?”
“I wouldn’t tempt fate, my dear.”
“What am I to tell Marcus?”
“The truth.”
Oh, but that was quite complicated, wasn’t it?
~*~
Henri settled in with Peaches in the sitting room, taking up her embroidery, and trying to not think about the events of the past twenty-four hours.
Edwards entered. “Sir Michael Tidley to see you, Miss.”
“Send him in.” She set aside the work and rose to great her guest. “Michael, what a delight.”
“Are you now engaged?” He checked her fingers for a ring. He glanced up at her with raised eyebrows.
“No. At least, not yet.”
“Lord Hughes asked that I accompany you to his office. Pretext of a ride. Closed carriage, however, to keep your identity secret. Do you possess a hat with a veil you can wear?”
“Yes. It must be serious if he summoned me.”
Sir Michael didn’t answer but rocked back on his heels and frowned.
“Fine. Right now?”
Michael nodded. “I’ll leave. Meet me at the back of the garden.”
She ran up to her room and fetched her reticule, gun, and hat with veil. She slipped down the back stairs to the garden where she met Michael. In the alley between homes, he waited with a closed carriage. She entered, and he followed. Banging on the roof the conveyance began to move.
“Do you know what this is about?”
“No.”
“You don’t relish being an errand boy, do you?”
“Of course not. But if it will keep you alive, who am I to say no?”
Silence was broken only by the sound of the horses’ hooves and the wheels against the city streets. With every block they traveled, the more anxious she grew.
“Why are you so out of sorts, Henri?”
“I’ve never been to Whitehall. I’ve only met with Lord Hughes in public venues.”
“He’s not a lion in the cage where you’re the dinner being served.”
She gave a half grin. “Thank you. Now I’ve been reduced to a slice of beef.”
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