A Christmas Code (The Code Breakers Series Book 2) (2 page)

All three ladies curtsied. The blond beauty was like one of the woodland sprites. She had an ethereal quality that might fool many men, but Gwyneth hadn’t missed the lady’s calculating glance as she and Amelia approached.

Sir Ramsay broke the strained silence. “We were just discussing our plans for the Christmas season.”

“Are you staying in town for the holidays, Lady Charolois?” Gwyneth asked.

Ash cleared his throat.

The nervous flicker of the lady’s round blue eyes might have hoodwinked Britain’s top agents, but Gwyneth recognized when a woman had plans. And like the calculating lady, Gwyneth had her own schemes.

“I’m attending Lord Edworth’s country party. I’ve no family and find London’s smog so weary for the holidays.” Her French accent lilted her husky voice, making her sound exotic and enticing.

“That is an amazing coincidence. Amelia and I were just discussing our plans to attend the same party.”

“What?” Ash asked in a rude manner “Cord is allowing you to spend the holidays away from your family?”

“I haven’t discussed my holiday plans with Cord. Amelia and I’ve decided we needed to break away from our familiar childhood merriments, to forge new ways of celebrating. Isn’t that so, Amelia?” Gwyneth enjoyed watching Ash’s grey eyes darken and the pulsing beat in his jaw thicken.

Amelia had been watching the by-plays, eyes wide with surprise. She fluttered her fan in front of her face.

“Also, we’ve decided like you, Lady Charolois, that the season grows tiresome and we need a change in scene.” Gwyneth waved with her hands toward the dance floor. “I mean in the weather.”

Gwyneth could feel Ash’s body thrumming next to hers, his heat wrapping around her. She was having a grand time baiting the gentleman. He thought he could ignore her. Fiddlesticks to that. And now, it was time to do a bit of her own spying. “We’ve heard that the Prince of Wales will be attending. Will you be retiring to your estate, Sir Ramsay, or will you venture to Bath and the house party?”

Sir Ramsay harrumphed and cleared his throat. “I won’t be, but Ash is considering attending.” Poor Ramsay, as his aunt affectionately called him, looked confounded. Nothing like shaking up Britain’s top intelligence agent.

Ash’s face registered no outward reaction. The man was definitely a very skilled spy since anyone not thoroughly acquainted with him would be unable to glean that Viscount Ashworth was livid, stroking mad. The little tic above his right eye pulsed and his usual cool grey eyes smoldered with hidden fury.

The petite French lady clapped her hands in feigned delight, or maybe not feigned, since who could resist Ash, the blond Adonis? His golden curls framed his chiseled countenance and bright eyes. Unlike other gentleman, he didn’t seem to care greatly about his appearance. His hair was brushed back from his face in a haphazard way, as if he had just risen from bed and run his fingers through his hair.

The thought of Ash and a bed sent a wave of pleasurable sensations through Gwyneth’s body.

* * *

Ash watched Gwyneth with a speculative regard. He missed nothing. Her dark eyes widened and her lips parted as if in excitement. His entire body tightened in response. He wanted to kiss those lips. Oh, the things he wanted to do to her, and those luscious lips were the least of it.

“Lord Ashworth?”

He realized everyone was waiting for his response. “I haven’t made any plans yet, but with all these lovely ladies attending, this party must not to be missed.” Ash’s voice had taken on a seductive tenor.

“Oh, nicely said, Lord Ashworth,” the little lady chirped.

He bowed his head to the lady. “Lady Charolois, is your dance card full or may I have the pleas…the honor of one of tonight’s dances?”

Gwyneth had to bite on the side of her mouth to keep from laughing out loud when she caught Ash’s eye as he was about to say the word “pleasure” and changed to “honor.”

“That would be delightful, my lord.” The lady’s voice was breathless and seductive.

Gwyneth wanted to say aloud, “Men really don’t fall for winded coyness, do they?”

Lady Charolois’ calculated smile and charms seemed to be working. Ash’s steely grey eyes had warmed and he had the gall to bestow upon the lady the smile Gwyneth believed should only be reserved for her—the one that made him look young and carefree, like the youth she had fallen in love with at the ripe age of ten years.

“If you’ll excuse us. I’ve promised this dance to Lady Gwyneth.” Ash gripped her arm tightly as he led her toward the dance floor.

“You didn’t give me time to say good night to your newest paramour. Really, Ash, she looks a bit old for you.”

* * *

Ash stopped at the edge of the dance floor and looked into Gwyneth’s unfathomable eyes. She had the same mischievous look she had in childhood, when she would follow Cord and him and think she had bested them in some prank. But this wasn’t some childish game. This was dangerous.

“You have no idea what you’re meddling in. Walk with me. I need to speak with you.”

She bit down on her lower lip, bringing attention to the warm, moist, pink surface. Hot desire flared through his body again at the irresistible temptation she presented. He couldn’t get sidetracked when he had a mission, a serious mission. The minx wet her plump lower lip with her tongue. Was she doing this to addle him?

“I’m not meddling. I wanted to meet the lady who has attracted your notice. We’re old family friends. I don’t think the lady could misconstrue my interest.”

“Gwyneth.” He tried to sound authoritative, but instead his voice came out plaintive.

He led her out to a darkened corner on the balcony. He needed to stop her interference in his mission while not drawing attention to their relationship. He didn’t want his enemies to know of his regard for her.

He couldn’t let her get close to these people. He hated what he needed to do, but it was for her safety. He couldn’t let her be involved. Once he had broken the ring of spies, he’d make it up to her. She understood how he felt about her. Keenly observant, Gwyneth knew him better than anyone.

She stepped closer to him, her enticing body wrapped as a present in soft, seductive blue silk, ready for him to open. His breathing deepened to aggressive surges. He didn’t dare look down at her creamy white breasts or he might not be responsible for what happened next.

“Ash?”

The way she said his name in a throaty, seductive voice sent a bolt of desire straight up his spine. Her black, slanted eyes were wide and mysterious, staring into his. She had no idea how potent an effect that look precipitated. Or maybe she did.

He was so damn tired of this spy business, always postponing his needs for those of the country. If he gave her any hint of his purpose in attending the country party, she’d be dogging his footsteps, trying to prove she could help him. He didn’t want her as a spy. He knew the toll the subterfuge and lies took on a person.

“You must celebrate Christmas with Cord and your aunt. The country party is not for the likes of you. The society who attend Prinny’s parties are.”

“Then you’re not going?” She scrutinized him with those innocent eyes.

“I’m going, but you’re not. The party is for older, experienced women, which you are not.”

“But that is exactly why I’ve decided to go. I might not be able to advance my age, but I can acquire experience.” She leaned closer and whispered tauntingly, “I’m so weary of being kissed by honorable gentlemen.”

Every muscle in his body constricted in reaction. “Who has been kissing you?” He actually growled the words then grabbed her shoulders. “And do not tell me that Henley is involved. He’s a rake of the first order.”

She batted her long, dark lashes at him. “Takes one to know one.”

She was soft, warm, and pliant. He wanted to run his hands along her silky skin.

“He’s pledged that he was done with his wildness. He said he’d give up all women if I’d consent…”

Ash couldn’t suppress the surge of pure masculine possessiveness and anger. Henley wouldn’t be pursuing Cord’s innocent sister unless he was seriously interested. He pulled her closer, his hands tightening on her shoulders. “You let him kiss you?”

A tiny crack had begun to erode his confidence. He assumed that Gwyneth would be his when he could finally break away from the damn spy business.

When she tried to pull away, he wrapped his arms around her, inhaling deeply the scent of wildflowers, outdoors, and the special scent of Gwyneth. He wanted her against him, to feel her woman’s softness melting around him.

“I would never kiss and tell—that would be unladylike. I’ve had five marriage proposals this season. You can’t expect a girl not to explore whether she wants the gentleman.”

There it was again—that innocent look. How she played him, like the violinist playing a sonata.

“I won’t be distracted by the change in topics. We were discussing why you must not attend the Christmas party.” As always in interacting with her, he felt light and young. She made him smile, the minx.

“Are you distracted by me?” She fingered the lapel of his jacket. For a country miss, she was an exotic temptress, more so than any highly paid courtesan.

He stopped her hand from wandering by closing his hand over hers. “Gwyneth, I forbid you to go to the party.”

She pulled her hand away. “I don’t need your permission to go to the party.”

“Then I’m going to speak to Cord about your plans.”

“You’ve no right to interfere with my holiday plans.” A tendril of her thick black hair hung across her right eye. With her strong chin and delectable chest thrust forward, she looked like a pagan queen ready for battle.

“I’ve every right, and you know it.” He pulled her hard against him and took her lips in a deliberate, demanding way. He held her tightly as his tongue darted in and out of her warm moisture. Once he felt her soften against him, he lightened the pressure of his lips and ran his tongue along the edge of her lower lip. “So sweet.” And so innocent. What was he doing? He had to get back to the ballroom and he didn’t want to think about her reaction to his public pursuit of Lady Charolois.

She ran her hand through his hair, down his neck. “Oh, Ash.” She crushed her voluptuous curves closer. “Our first real kiss.” Her voice was filled with wonder.

Perhaps he had made their first kiss too carnal, but she had pushed him. She was always pushing him, but clearly they both liked the tantalizing result.

“I must get you back to your aunt. She’ll have my hide if she knew we were out on the balcony alone.”

“Aunt Euphemia is playing cards. She won’t mind.”

“Oh, I think she’ll mind a great deal if I ruin your reputation. And Cord…”

“I wouldn’t mind…” There was the young girl he knew—always testing the limits. And she was a challenging provocation—the way she posed with dewy lips, the moonlight dancing across her creamy skin.

He placed her hand on his arm. He avoided looking at her since, if he did, he’d need to kiss her again, and then they would never stop. He needed to get back to his goal in attending this ball. He was glad he and Gwyneth had come to an amiable agreement. He’d always enjoy the way they settled their differences.

Chapter Two

Gwyneth leaned back against the velvet cushions of the carriage and looked at her energetic aunt. Aunt Euphemia never divulged her age, but Gwyneth knew she had passed sixty. Following another demanding late night, her aunt didn’t look the least bit tired even though it was nearly dawn.

“Well, spit it out. I can tell you’re in a taking.”

“I’m not. Well, maybe a little… Aunt Euphemia, how do I become a spy?”

Her aunt slapped her purple-draped knee and guffawed. “Not the question I was expecting.” Her favorite aunt tilted her head to one side, causing her turban filled with flowers to lean precariously.

“Gel, what’s going through that spinning brain of yours?”

“I want to help our country. I have talents, but don’t know how to use them. I want to be like you and Henrietta.”

“What has brought this on? Something with Ash?”

“Yes…no… I don’t know.”

“Didn’t Amelia’s newest creation get the results you expected from Ash?”

“He kissed me.”

Her aunt chortled. “Well, it’s about time.”

“He was worried that you’d be upset.”

“Was he now? It makes me happy to hear he’s still intimated by the likes of an old woman. Well, if he’s declared his intentions, why are you thinking about becoming a spy?”

“I do love him and want to be his wife, but I want what Henrietta and Cord have. Cord respects her for her talents, not just because she’s beautiful and wonderful. I want Ash to respect me. Right now, he thinks of me as a silly young girl, always following after him.”

Aunt Euphemia smiled. “Yes, I didn’t think you’d ever settle for less. But men don’t think that way. They feel their job is to protect women and keep them safe, away from the workings of the world.”

“Pshaw. With you and Henrietta as an example, how can Ash think I’d be satisfied not being part of his entire life? I want to be his partner.”

“What are you planning? He won’t take lightly to your interference.”

“When I told Ash that I planned to spend Christmas at Edworth’s, he forbade me from attending. When I told him he didn’t have the right, he said he would speak to Cord. Aunt Euphemia, can’t you go with me to the Edworth’s party?”

“I don’t enjoy travel in the winter.” Her aunt rubbed her knees. “My old bones, you know. I planned to stay with Cord, Henrietta, Charles, and Edward. Is this the party that the Prince of Wales is supposed to attend?”

“Yes. I don’t know what all the fuss is about, but Ash is working on something with Sir Ramsay and Lady Charolois, and he’s forbidden me to participate.”

“Interesting.”

“Ash is getting very friendly with Lady Charolois. At first I thought she might work for the Intelligence Office, but the way she was looking at Ash, I don’t believe she’s in our country’s employ. Ash is trying to court her favor. I could help. I could make friends with the lady. I’m very observant.”

Aunt Euphemia was shaking her head. “You are very perceptive, but if they’re worried that Lady Charolois has surreptitious connections, I don’t think putting yourself in that position would be wise. If she is a spy, she might use your connection to Cord against you.”