Regency Spymasters 01 - Spy Fall (13 page)

She shook her head. “No. I was never a French agent. I only got into the game after Robespierre murdered my father.”

“Robespierre’s been dead for years.”

“I did quit after Robespierre became personally acquainted with the national razor.”

“And yet?”

“Will can be most persuasive.” She bit her plump lower lip in thought. “And once the game got into my blood, it was difficult to return to a quiet life.”

“Jumping out of the clouds isn’t exactly dull work.”

Her lips twisted into a reluctant smile. “I was good at intelligence gathering. It appealed to me.”

Of course it did. The danger, the thrill of spying, would naturally attract a risk taker such as Mari. “So you continued working with Will even after Robespierre was guillotined.”

“My parachuting takes me to many countries and allows me access to the upper circles of society all over Europe.”

“I imagine Will was loath to relinquish a source with that kind of access.”

“I was of value to him. I also have a large family that could use the coin, especially after my father passed.”

“And you liked spying.”

She nodded. “I did, very much. And, at this point, my work rarely involves France.”

They crossed the old stone bridge, walking up the grassy slope and beneath the canopy of trees cloaking the worn dirt path that led back to Langtry. “Napoleon is making a nuisance of himself all over the continent. French interests will soon be hard to avoid.”

Her smile faded. “
Certainement.
War between England and France is imminent. Difficult choices will have to be made. I find I am equal parts French and English. A troublesome mix, as it turns out.”

“Most females lack a single profession, yet you excel at two of them. You’re a woman ahead of your time.”

“Excelling? I fear not.” The clicking sound she made with her tongue communicated her displeasure. “How did you find me with Naismith? I made certain I was not followed.”

“A scoundrel has his ways. I put out the word in the village that I would pay handsomely for any news of you. Particularly if you were to meet with strangers.”

“
Tonnerre de Dieu.”
She shook her head. “The biggest mistake I made was to underestimate you.”

“A British informant.” He shook his head, still trying to digest it all. “You spy for our side.”

“You almost sound disappointed. I thought you would be relieved to know we are on the same side.”

“If only that were true.” The gulf between them couldn’t be more cavernous. Mari would do anything to save her family, even if it meant destroying Aldridge. Tension twisted into his shoulders as determination firmed in him. He might have failed Ellie, but this time would be different.

He would do whatever was required to protect his family, even if he died trying.

“So Dunsmore knows everything.” Marcel watched Cosmo dismount near the stables and engage the stable master in conversation as they checked the animal’s hooves.

Nodding, Mari tugged on the silk fabric. “
Oui
.” She and Marcel had spread her parachute out on the lawn near the barn. As was her habit after each descent, she checked for damage or worn components that might require replacing. “He swears Aldridge is not involved.”

“Of course he would say that, especially if they’re in it together.”

“He seemed shocked at the very idea that his father would engage in treachery.”

Marcel made a rude noise. “And you still believe him.”

“I have no definitive evidence, but my instinct tells me it is so.”

“Your instinct?” Marcel growled. “I doubt that is what you are thinking with.”

She stilled, fixing a cold stare on him. “What are you getting at?”

“It is where he is getting that concerns me, which is between your legs.” Marcel spat on the ground. “Don’t deny it.”

It didn’t surprise her that Marcel had deduced the truth. Being observant was his job, and he excelled at it. “Why should I deny it?” She kept her voice cool, despite the rising heat in her cheeks. “It is none of your affair.”

“It is if you’re going soft. You endanger all of us if your judgment is compromised.”

“How about you?” she retorted. “Do you think I do not know you are rutting with the kitchen girl who comes in from the village three days a week?”

His cheeks colored. “That is different.”

“How so? She could be Aldridge’s contact.”

“It is not the same because I am a man and coupling is just physical. It means nothing.”

“I see. But as a woman it means what? That I must have tender feelings that would naturally compromise my reasoning?”

“Pascal believed it to be so,” he said softly. “He always said your heart was too generous for this kind of work.”

“His perceptions were clouded by his tender feelings.” She forced the words past the emotion corking her throat. “Pascal always believed the best of me.”

“Who is Pascal?” Cosmo’s voice asked from a few steps behind her.

She bit back a curse. Discussing Pascal with Cosmo was something she preferred to avoid. “You are up early.”

Curiosity lingered in his expression at her deliberate avoidance of his question. “Up early? Why, it is almost noon. You appear to have been up for hours.”

“
Bien sûr
. What I meant to say is that it is early for
you
, not for the rest of the world.”

“
Touché
.” He greeted Marcel, who grunted a curt response without looking up from his examination of the parachute. Slapping his riding gloves against the solid contours of his thighs, Cosmo gave her that lazy, toothy smile that turned her insides warm. “I was attending to estate matters. Mrs. Lacey, one of the tenants, required my personal attention.”

“Her husband cannot help her?”

“I’m afraid not. She was widowed quite young. It’s a shame, really.”

“I see.” Jealousy whipped through her. She shouldn’t be surprised his sudden attention to estate concerns involved a woman. “And did your business come to a satisfactory conclusion?”

“Most definitely, much better than I’d hoped.” He ran a hand back over his rumpled hair, which she now presumed to be bed-tousled rather than windblown. “It was quite invigorating, actually, to be of use.”

She fought the urge to slap him, even though he’d never promised her anything, certainly not his devotion. Turning her attention back to the parachute, she ignored Marcel’s smirk in her direction. “How nice for you.”

“Yes, surprising how doing one’s duty can turn out to be so pleasurable,” Cosmo said. “I may make a habit of it.”

Biting back an expletive, she tried to talk herself out of her anger. She and Cosmo were primarily business partners now. That and bedmates who took pleasure in each other’s bodies. Not that they’d actually done it in a bed yet. She’d known from the first that Dunsmore was a scoundrel who seduced numerous women; she just hadn’t expected him to move on to another female with so much haste. But perhaps it was better this way. It certainly lessened the chances she would let her emotions cloud her good judgment.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

She got down on all fours for a closer look at a frayed part of the fabric. “An inspection.”

He inched closer. “What kind of inspection?”

She gritted her teeth. “A safety inspection.” The man never could take a hint that he was unwanted. And he was most unwelcome at the moment.

His shadow fell across the she spot examined. “Have you found something?”

“I do not know. You are blocking my light.”

“Oh, pardon,” he said, stepping out of the way.

Marcel got to his feet. “This section is fine,” he said to Mari before cutting Cosmo a dark look. “I’ll be in the barn if you have need of me.”

Cosmo watched him go. “He’s in a damper mood than usual.”

“Hmmm.” She bent closer to the spot, her derriere pushing up. “You tend to bring out the best in him.”

“Do you mean to say he is cheerful when I am not around?” He paused, his voice deepening. “I say, seeing you in that position brings to mind another way we can do the dirty later this evening.”

Heat flashed through her. At the same time, she hated herself for wanting him. Forcing a bland tone, she said, “We shall see.”

“We shall see?” She caught the sharp note underneath his light tone. “Have you tired of me so soon?”

“Working on your parachute, Miss Lamarre?” Lifting her head in the direction of Aldridge’s voice, she sat back on her heels as the marquess neared wearing casual country clothes topped with a hat, and carrying a walking stick.

“Yes. Have you enjoyed a nice walk?”

“Very much.” His face was flushed from his exertions, giving his cheeks a robust shot of color they rarely had. “What are you doing, if I may ask?”

“Of course you may. I am examining for damage that might have occurred during my last jump.”

“I see.” He ran his gaze over the swathes of silk spread over the ground. “When it is open like that, it truly looks like an umbrella.”

“Yes, the design of a parachute is much like an umbrella.” Mari smoothed a hand over the silk. “This center stick,” she said, pulling it straight, “is like the handle of the umbrella.”

Head cocked, Aldridge listened intently with his hands clasped behind his back. “I see how it attaches to the apex.”

“Yes, and the outer rods are about the same length as the diameter. They meet those from the margin, which help keep it expanded during the flight.”

“Fascinating. It’s so simple, it is genius.” He turned his attention to Cosmo. “I trust all went well this morning.”

Cosmo nodded. “Indeed, the repairs on the new roof you ordered for the Widow Lacey are almost complete.”

No doubt the
Widow
Lacey had other needs Cosmo had been only too happy to attend to. “Has she no one else to assist her?” The words escaped before she could stifle them.

Cosmo gave her a quizzical look. “She had one grown son but he was lost at sea.”

“The other villagers look in on her. She’s been alone since her son died,” Aldridge said. “She lost her husband almost forty years ago when she was just a girl herself.”

“Oh.” Relief flowed warm and loose in her muscles. “Poor lady. It is nice of you to look after her.”

“Well, I’ll leave you to it,” Aldridge said, excusing himself. “I trust I shall see you at supper.”

“But of course.” They watched the marquess walk away, his gait obviously labored. “What ails him?”

Cosmo’s eyes shadowed. “The doctor says it is a chest cold that keeps reasserting itself.” He shot her a sharp look. “But who can say? Nothing is as it seems. My French parachutist is a British spy. The paragon Tristan Fitzroy has a bastard child, and quiet Will Naismith is a spymaster. Nothing would surprise me now.”

“Your father could be another such surprise,” she said. “It is possible he is not what he seems.”

“You are wrong about him.”

“I hope I am,” she said. “Why do you think he’s come to the coast, after not having visited since your sister’s death?”

Anger glowed in his charcoal eyes. “You think he’s here to make a delivery of some sort.”

“It seems a logical assumption.”

“This was Elinor’s favorite place,” he said sharply. “It stands to reason Aldridge would return here to feel closer to her, especially if he is ill. Perhaps he harbors hope the sea air will improve his health.”

“Your defense of your father is admirable, especially given the obvious difficulties between the two of you.”

“Yes, I’m quite the saint. Although not entirely.” A mischievous expression crossed his face. “I couldn’t resist telling Aldridge about Darling’s ward.”

“I see.”

“I’ve invited Darling to bring the girl for a visit.”

“And he accepted?”

“I appealed to his sense of duty. Aldridge’s birthday is next week. Darling could hardly refuse to attend such a momentous occasion.”

She paused from her inspection. “Did you also share your suspicions about Anna with your father?”

“That the saint has a bye blow?” The sides of his lips kicked up. “Regrettably not.”

“I’d think you would enjoy the opportunity to knock him down a step or two in your father’s estimation.”

He grimaced. “You don’t know me very well, Angel. I feel no need to denigrate Darling in order to raise myself in Aldridge’s esteem.”

“Why did you not tell him?”

“Aldridge has endured enough disappointment.” He paused, the specter of Elinor’s loss hanging between them. “No need for him to lose faith in Darling as well.”

Warmth swelled in her chest. “You had better have a care, Dunsmore. I’m beginning to think there is true decency beneath that crust of debauchery you enshroud yourself in.”

“Which quality would land you in my bed?” One dark brow lifted. “Decency or debauchery?”

She gave a dry laugh. “Since I am already firmly there, the question is hardly relevant.”

His features softened. “So you haven’t tired of me after all.”

“Hardly.” Returning to her work, she began to worry she would never tire of having Cosmo Dunsmore in her bed. Or out of it for that matter. Alarm twinged deep within her. Any emotional attachment to Cosmo could only end in disaster, but it might already be too late to shield her heart. Like Icarus, she’d taken to flying too close to the sun. It was only a matter of time before circumstances sent her plummeting back to reality.

“Do hurry, won’t you?”

Mari shimmied out of the narrow space hidden behind a panel in Aldridge’s study. “Nothing.”

Cosmo braced his jaw. “Because there is nothing to find.”

“Think.” She propped her fists on her hips. “Where else could it be?”

They’d spent the last week searching every hidden cupboard and passageway at Langtry. “Nowhere. I’ve shown you all of the secret compartments.”

She looked around, staring hard at the shelves and walls. “Of course, there could be a hidden compartment that even you are not aware of.”

“Doubtful, but I suppose anything is possible.”

“What about the desk?”

“What about it? You’ve already searched it quite thoroughly.”

“Do you know if it has a secret compartment?”

He exhaled. “This spy business is getting to you. Not every piece of furniture is riddled with hidden levers and trick spaces.”

She marched over to the desk. “There is no harm in trying again.”

He followed her, exasperated by her dogmatic insistence that there must be something to find. He threw up his hands. “Very well. Now that I think of it, under the desk, beneath the center drawer, is a little lever that snaps open to reveal a tiny space.”

Her eyes sparked. “How tiny?”

“Large enough to perhaps hold a key.”

She dropped to her knees and scooted under the desk. “Where is it?”

“Just under the drawer, a little black lever.”

Her muffled voice sounded from under the desk. “Oh, yes I see it.”

He heard her fumbling around. “Got it?”

“Yes.” Then she cursed extravagantly in French.

He smiled. “Nothing, I presume.”

She sighed her frustration. “
Rien
. Nothing. Not even a key.”

Noise sounded at the study door and Aldridge entered. He halted in surprise. “Cosmo, what are you doing in here?”

Cosmo plopped down in his father’s chair before Aldridge could come around and discover Mari crouched underneath his desk. “Looking for you, actually. I wanted to tell you that Darling sent his response this morning. He will be here in a few days.”

“Excellent. I should like to meet his ward. We could use a child’s laughter around here.” Aldridge moved to pour himself a drink. “Would you like one?”

Cosmo nodded. “Thank you, yes.” Something fluttered against his thigh. He adjusted his legs farther apart to give Mari more room in the cramped space. Instead of moving away, her hand followed. Both of her hands, actually, and they rubbed up and down his thighs in a most insistent manner.

Hammering sounded through the open window. Marcel and Maxim were working on something for the gondola.

“Quite a racket,” Cosmo observed, swatting Mari’s hands away.

“Yes, but I think I’ll leave the window open anyway to get a little of the breeze off the water.” Aldridge handed him a glass.

Mari’s hands would not be dissuaded. “You were saying, sir?”

“Yes, perhaps it is time you took over more of the estate management.”

“Here at Langtry?” Mari’s fingers moved to between his legs. Cosmo decided he didn’t want to stop her naughty little hands after all. He adjusted himself to give her better access to his burgeoning erection.

“Not just Langtry, all of the holdings. You will be the next marquess.” Aldridge gestured around with his hands. “Someday soon this will all be yours.”

Good lord. She was unfastening the placket of his breeches. The woman had an uncanny way of sending him to heaven and hell at the same time. “Not too soon, I hope.”

She had his breeches open now. When she tugged his smallclothes out of the way, his eager flesh sprang out to greet her. One light finger touched the sensitive swollen tip.