Once Upon a True Love's Kiss

by Julie Johnstone

  Last night, when he'd picked her up and carried her up the stairs, he'd actually thought she was a boy. He didn't discern any breasts at all on her and now here she was attired in such a way that her bosom couldn't be ignored. It was on display for all the world to see. And what a bosom it was. He almost couldn't draw his eyes away.

  She called for the butler way too soon for his liking.

  When the man entered the room, Augusta said, "Since Lancelot isn't home, perhaps we can settle Mr. Cuthbert into his room. He needs to stay a couple of days so his horse may be tended to."

  "I'm sorry, my lady, I understand from Sir William that Mr. Lancelot will be home soon. He sent for assistance last night but when the men arrived at the inn this morning to fetch him, he was gone. The men are seeking him now as he may have met with some sort of foul play. I'll show our guest to the blue room in the west wing."

  This was not what Myles expected. Now there was a search party for Lancelot. How was this going to affect the plan? He thought as swiftly as he could for something to say.

  "Mr. Cuthbert?"

  "Yes, Lady Covington?" Maybe Augusta was going to come to his rescue and help him find an answer to this dilemma. He hoped so.

  "Are you familiar with follies?"

  "Not really. Why?"

  "We have a lovely one on the estate. I'd love to show it to you once you settle into your room. Would you like that?" Augusta batted her eyes.

  Was she flirting or was she giving him a way to go meet with Lancelot about this latest development?

  Finally deciding she was setting up a way for him to see his cohort, he said, "I would love that. In fact, I'm so intrigued, I'd like to go now if we could."

  "I'm sure Emerson could send your bag up and I can show you the room later. My maid can accompany us across the lawn."

  "My bag is still in the stables where I left my horse."

  "Then we have nothing holding us here. Shall we?" Augusta held her arm out to direct him. "This way to the back lawn." She turned to her maid, "Come along, Mary."

  Emerson cleared his throat. "I'll ready the room, my lady."

  She nodded and they strolled through the great room, down the corridor and outside with the maid trailing behind them.

  "How are we going to keep her from coming inside with us?"

  "I'm sending you in alone. You need to ask Lance what he wants me to say to William to call off the search for him. My oldest brother is stubborn and relentless so he'll keep at it until he finds Lance if we can't get him to stop."

  "I'm sorry I doubted you last night. I owe you an apology." It was all he could do not to reach out and touch her arm again. She was so lovely, he could barely fathom it.

  "You don't owe me anything. You don't know me at all and I don't blame you for doubting me. I'm going to help you with this mission you and Lance are on and then I realize you won't need me any longer. Once the matter is settled, you and my brother will return to your duties and I'll still be here or in London soon on the marriage mart. I'd like to enjoy this little interlude in my otherwise dull life."

  "I somehow doubt your life is ever dull. You seem to be someone who makes her own interests."

  "Within the parameters of being a lady, I try to."

  "Except when you ride your steed astride into the night to rescue injured brothers?"

  "Except then, yes." Her smile was sad and tugged at his heart. He shook his head to clear the unbidden thought of how he could make her life more interesting and glanced up to see they'd arrived at the folly. "This is an amazing structure. Did you have any part in the design?"

  "I did. I wanted something very Rapunzel-like."

  "I see by the tower you got what you wanted."

  "Not really. You'll see when you go in." She pointed at the door and pulled a key out of some hidden pocket or something.

  Handing him the key, she said in a voice he presumed was loud enough for the maid to hear, "Here's the key. Go on in and explore."

  He took it from her hand and inserted it into the lock. He opened the door and stepped in.

  A shape came quickly toward him in the dark. He stepped aside lithely and using his forearm, stopped the shape short of the wall.

  "Oof." The shape doubled over.

  "Good morning, Lancelot." Myles smiled even though it couldn't be seen. "Why is it so dim in here?"

  "I didn't want to attract attention but why are you here already and with no warning?"

  "Speaking of attracting attention, your request for aid last night wasn't actually ignored by your brothers. It was merely delayed and now that they can't find you, they've got men scouring the area for you. Your sister wanted you to know so we could stop it before they find you."

  "It sounds like I need to write another note and let William know I'm fine."

  "How are you going to explain your sudden miracle cure?"

  "Let me think about it for a few minutes while I find some paper." Lance lit a small lantern on a desk and shuffled around until he found a writing instrument and a piece of parchment.

  Lancelot scratched out the note while Myles glanced around at the interior of the small castle that didn't resemble any dollhouse he'd ever seen. There were several settees set about as well as a couple of tables including one in front of the largest sofa that he presumed was where Augusta learned to pour tea properly. He had no doubt now that she would do so with great success but had he been asked the evening before, he'd have made a heavy wager that she could not do so without either burning someone near her or spilling it all over her skirts.

  Yes, his opinion of her ladylike assets had changed by the mere sight of her in the yellow gown that almost matched the color of her hair but it wasn't only that. She exuded femininity in her guise as a woman just as she'd displayed the exact specifications of a boy when she had on her breeches.

  The thought of her in those breeches warmed him all over. She really did have some lovely assets that were emphasized in all the right ways in that garment. He knew now why ladies weren't supposed to wear them. What man could resist a woman who had such garb showing off their limbs?

  To take his mind off those thoughts, he turned to the curved staircase in one corner of the room and made his way up to the top. The ceiling seemed to get closer and closer the more he climbed but not in a natural way. He'd never been claustrophobic but he was sensing he very well could be in this upper chamber.

  Pressing on to see what exactly was up there, when he arrived, he let out a gasp. Not of pleasure but of shock. How could this be?

  The place was barren of all items that make life comfortable. There was a bench-like structure built of stones against one wall that curved around to the one next to it. The other side of the room had a massive fireplace but there were obvious cracks in the mortar so cold air would clearly get in when the elements were brisk.

  What was this all about? The downstairs was so cozy and welcoming and up here was like a dungeon but one built in the sky.

  Puzzled, Myles made his way back down to the room where he'd left Lancelot. "What's the reason for the upstairs being so brutal?" he asked his friend.

  Lancelot looked up from the letter he was folding. "Poor Gus had no idea when she asked for her dollhouse to look like Rapunzel's castle that the lady—wait, she was no lady—woman—father hired to teach Gus how to be a lady would be such an ogre as to lock my dear sister in that room up there if she didn't perform her tasks perfectly. The only way out was for Gus to learn the proper way to do things. Poor girl won't even come in here anymore. She hates the place."

  "Who can blame her? That room up there isn't fit for any human habitation, much less a lady of your sister's rank."

  "Gus is good about taking care of herself. The three of us boys made sure she could get out of any scrape. She's very resilient."

  "Did she ever have to spend a night up there and did any of you three ever think to rescue her from that woman?"

  "I think she did spend some nights there. We would certain
ly have stopped it if we knew about it. As it was, we all found out when we were home from school and told father. He got rid of the woman then."

  "Didn't Augusta ever speak to your father herself?"

  "No." Lancelot shook his head. "She's not one to share her woes. She gets on with things."

  "I admire that she's strong but that level of stubbornness is plain foolish." Myles couldn't believe the girl he'd met the night before with her pert attitude and way with words when she was bantering with him would stand by and let herself be abused by an employee. He wondered why she would subject herself to that.

  "Here's the note. I've explained to William and Ambrose that I've gone off to stay with friends since they didn't come for me."

  "Do you think that'll work?"

  "I hope so." Lancelot waved his hand. "Better be off. I'm not sure what the afternoon holds but I hope you make some progress with Nigel Hastings. I want to know what he's doing here and who his accomplice might be."

  "I only hope it's not your sister-in-law. That would be quite a blot on the family name if the earl's wife commits treason."

  "You are so right there. I only hope William was smart in his choice of brides. The family's reputation is absolutely at stake if she is a turncoat."

  "At least you know he's loyal, right?"

  "I should say so. None of us tolerate any nonsense of that sort. We're true subjects of the English crown and always have been."

  "You've certainly proven that yourself. Time and again."

  "Go on now. You flatter me when you should be out there doing your duty to God and country and capturing a French spy."

  Myles palmed the note with the intention of giving it to Augusta to take to her brothers. He bowed to Lancelot. "Off to do my duty, sir."

  "Don't forget, I'm the one who's to salute you."

  "Not to worry. As soon as this mission is over, you'll be back to currying my favor as your commanding officer."

  He opened the door and set out across the lawn to where Augusta stood leaning against a yew tree waiting for him. He swore he could still hear Lancelot's laughter behind him even though he knew the man wouldn't be so indiscreet.

  Milady and Her Spy: Chapter Four

  AUGUSTA WAS SURE MYLES WOULD NEVER come out of the folly and grew tired of waiting. In the moment she decided to leave him there to find his own way back to the manor and his room, he exited the building and came toward her.

  Once her reached her side, she said, "That took a long time. If you're going to stretch these visits, we'll have to come at night when everyone is asleep otherwise, it will call attention to what we're doing."

  "Don't worry. I was waiting for Lancelot to write a note to your brothers. He didn't know what to say at first and that took some thinking." Myles passed the note to her and she tucked it in her pocket.

  "All right but we need to keep these brief or maybe set times to meet Lance and not always in the folly. Move the location around, you know."

  "Yes. I think that would be best since we don't want anyone to learn he's on the estate."

  She stopped walking. "Why don't we? Neither of you ever said."

  "Hastings knows him and he also knows Lancelot is on his trail."

  "So my brother is in danger from this man? If Mr. Hastings is aware my brother knows he's a spy, he wants to kill him, right?"

  "I'm afraid you're right. We didn't want to tell you that part since it could affect the way you interact with Hastings."

  "I hope I'm smarter than to pull Lance further into danger. I need to have all the information so I can be prepared, don't you see?"

  "Yes." Myles nodded. "I do. You're right. No more secrets."

  "I bet that's hard for an agent of His Majesty's government to say." She smiled.

  "You could say that." His return smile almost took her breath away. Why hadn't she noticed how his eyes crinkled at the edges when he smiled? Maybe it was because he didn't do it enough.

  Determined to make him smile more often in the future, Augusta said, "It's almost time for luncheon to be served. I imagine you want to freshen your linen beforehand."

  "I must confess, that would be nice."

  She led him toward the house and as soon as they were inside, she spoke to Emerson. "Perhaps you could show Mr. Cuthbert to the blue room now."

  "Yes, my lady." Emerson turned to Myles. "This way, sir. "

  Myles followed behind the butler, casting a last look over his shoulder at Augusta before she was startled by the sound of her sister-in-law's voice, "Dear Augusta, you must come and meet my friend, Mr. Hastings."

  Straightening her spine for her first look at the man who wanted her brother dead, Augusta turned, a fake smile on her face.

  To her shock and amazement, he was quite handsome. Blond, blue-eyed and tall, he seemed to be straight out of some tale of the Norse gods. His build was massive and Augusta suppressed a shudder when she glanced at his hands. They looked as if they could crush a man's throat as easily as breaking a twig. This man was formidable and more than a little frightening.

  Hastings wore a bright smile that didn't quite reach his eyes and he seemed to devour her with those eyes. Feeling as if her soul were exposed, Augusta dipped a curtsy. "How nice to meet you, Mr. Hastings."

  "It is I who should be bowing to you, Lady Augusta. I may call you that, mayn't I?"

  Not sure how to tell him no, she merely nodded. "How did you enjoy the hunting cabin?"

  "It is very nice. I hope to be invited to spend some time there with your brother in the future. Do you hunt yourself?"

  "Oh no. I cannot stand the sight of blood. It's all too violent for my sensibilities, I'm afraid." There was no need to tell the man she'd killed her first deer at age seven. Ladies don't kill deer and must always shudder when blood sport is mentioned. Yes, that lesson was well learned. Three cold nights with only a horse blanket and sleeping on a stone bed was what it took to seal that information into her brain forever.

  "But you will eat the meat, yes?"

  "Oh yes. I love when the men provide tasty meat for our meals. It makes dining so pleasurable." She wanted to gag on the words she was speaking but knew she needed to appear inept to this massive man in order to gain his trust. The only way to make him say something to reveal his nature as a spy was to make him think she was too dull-witted to catch on.

  "I'm a great hunter. I'd love to tell you of my adventures."

  "Maybe you can this afternoon. I'm sure I would enjoy your tales." Augusta smiled. "Now, I need to be excused for a moment, please."

  "Maybe our esteemed hostess will seat us together for the meal."

  "Of course, I'll arrange that right now." Margaret bustled off to change the seating arrangement as Augusta took her leave to return to her room.

  Once safely on her own, Augusta sat in the chair nearest to the fireplace and ran her hand over her face. Walking so close to the old dollhouse had taken her breath away and it seemed she'd just gotten settled down from that when she'd had to deal with Mr. Hastings. He was a force to be reckoned with and now that she'd seen him, she realized what a daunting task she'd taken on.

  Was she going to be able to pull this off? Unsure of herself and even more terrified for Lance's safety, all she wanted to do was fall face forward on the bed and weep. Alas, that luxury was not to be indulged in.

  Her maid entered the room. "I've set out your pale blue gown for the afternoon, milady if that is acceptable."

  "Fine. That's fine. What ribbon, do you think?" Mary's arrival and chatter gave Augusta something else to focus on besides her dilemma. Why did she have to act so brave last night at the inn? She might've been better off keeping her mouth shut and returning home no wiser about the true state of affairs.

  Her maid kept up a steady conversation as she redressed Augusta's hair with the dark blue ribbon and pearls they'd chosen.

  When she was presentable again, Augusta made her way down the corridor, wishing she would come across Myles Cuthbert. She needed some rea
ssurance but it was not to be. Since she was in the wing where the family's rooms were and he was in the guest wing, the chances of crossing paths where slim. Maybe at the head of the stairs if she were lucky.

  Luck was not on her side today. The person she had the most qualms about was the one she met. Wasn't that the way life seemed to work?

  "My dear Lady Augusta, how can it be that you are so much more beautiful than you were a mere half and hour ago?" Hastings' voice was too loud and it seemed as if his jollity was forced.

  "Thank you for the compliment. I'm sure I look the same as I did when I went up to change."

  "Don't sell yourself short, my lovely lady. Who knows? I may become so enamored of you that I seek out your father's permission to ask for your hand."

  "My father isn't here." The man was an idiot of the first water. What kind of person made such a statement on such short acquaintance?

  "May I take that to mean if he were that you wouldn't reject my suit?"

  Unsure how to remove the look of distaste from her face, she focused her gaze on the stairs as they descended.

  "No answer then, Lady Augusta? Might I hold out hope?"

  "I think you speak too rashly. We've only just met."

  "Does that mean you may consider me upon longer acquaintance?"

  "I cannot be sure. I'd have to think on the idea." Glad she'd finally come upon an answer he would have to accept, Augusta drew a ragged breath.

  Finally, they made it to the bottom of the staircase. Several people mingled there. Augusta took the chance to get away from Mr. Hastings and stepped over to Cassandra.

  "Where have you been all morning?" Cassandra asked.

  "I took a guest out to see the grounds and the folly."

  "You went to the folly? Freely, without being forced?" The look on Cassandra's face had to mirror the way Augusta felt as she'd returned to that place. The only one of her friends who knew about the torture she experienced there, Cassandra understood exactly what it took out of Augusta to go there.

  "I did. Shockingly, I did not get a case of the vapors. Of course, I didn't go in but I did give the gentleman the key and allow him to enter while I waited outside."