Captured Countess by Ann Lethbridge

Author:Ann Lethbridge [Lethbridge, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-12-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

‘Well?’ Gabe said the moment he returned to the upstairs chamber.

‘Job done.’ Freddy handed him the book with a flourish.

‘Well done, my friend. I’ll buy you a brandy at White’s when this is over.’

‘If it ever is.’

‘It will be.’ Sooner or later. One way or the other. He ran a hand over his jaw. ‘I really must shave. It wouldn’t do to sit down to dinner looking like a gypsy. Would you mind?’

‘Only because you have a bad arm.’

On a short laugh, Gabe went to the desk and sat down with the letter and the book and worked his way through the cypher. It wasn’t complicated when one had the key.

He sat back and stared at the transcription, hoping he didn’t look as shocked as he felt.

‘What does Sceptre want?’ Freddy asked from the other side of the room where he was stropping Gabe’s razor.

‘Apparently Bonaparte handed out medals to the troops at Boulogne on August the fourth accompanied by a stir of activity that makes invasion look imminent. Sceptre wants the date of embarkation.’

Freddy scowled. ‘How are we to get it? Go to France and ask Boney point blank?’

‘If that would work, then yes.’ Sceptre didn’t care about what was possible, just about information. ‘I’ll report that things are coming to a head. That we should have something in the next day or so.’

Gabe drafted the letter swiftly and handed it to Freddy, who tucked in a hidden pocket in his jacket with a frown. ‘Is it possible Sceptre sent the Countess?’

‘Too clumsy. If she was working for the British, it would be for the Home Office. You know what a set of suspicious idiots they are.’ Gabe sat down on the chair beside the hearth.

Freddy draped a towel around his neck. ‘Chin up, old fellow.’ He picked up the razor.

The sight of a blade so close to his neck was a little unnerving. Or it would be in anyone else’s hand. He did as he was bade. Freddy lathered his chin and scraped the razor up his throat.

‘She’s admitted she works for the French,’ Gabe murmured.

Freddy’s hand stilled. His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were hard. ‘So what do you plan to do with her?’

‘I haven’t decided.’

‘I have a feeling we are both going to regret this. Where is she now?’

‘I left her in the library. And, Freddy, do not doubt that I have this under control. No one knows where she is, so there is no need for draconian measures.’ What was going to happen was a very pleasurable evening and with luck some of his more pressing questions would be answered by Nicky.

‘I’ll trust your judgement.’ The words were grudging.

A knock at the door sent Freddy to answer it. ‘Manners?’

The old man sounded breathless. ‘The boy brought a letter for the Reverend James up from the village. I thought I should pass it on to his lordship at once.’

Gabe sat up, wiping his chin on the towel.

Freddy handed the note to Gabe. When he opened it another note fell out.

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