Facing the Enemy by Paige Edwards

Author:Paige Edwards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Lady Elise Henderson lives two separate lives. At home in Scotland, she’s the titled daughter of the Marquess of Roxbury, an heiress in her own right. In London, however, she’s Elise Taylor, a top MI6 operative for the “home office.” But when a devastating accident threatens to end her career, Elise is left with far too much time for self-reflection and the regret of a decision made long ago that features one man: fellow MI6 agent Harry Benson., Harry Benson, the son of servants, has loved Elise for the better part of a decade. But life took them on separate journeys until their worlds converged once more. An immediate assignment to the Scottish Borders leaves Harry little time to make provisions for his small, rambunctious son, Sammy. Harry knows only one person he can rely on for the boy’s care—Elise. When Elise brings Sammy to her ancestral estate, she never imagines that a nemesis from her past looms in the shadows, hungry for revenge. Stalked at every turn, Elise and Harry discover that fighting their feelings for one another is futile, but can they survive long enough to get another shot at true love?
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2022-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

After supper, the receiving line formed. Greenery and early spring blooms graced the mantel to offset the dark gloom of the paneled entrance hall, where the family flanked a crackling fire. Elise stood on the threshold beside Harry while she mentally girded herself for the next hour of handshakes and polite pleasantries.

“Elise.” Mother waved for her to join the family.

“Protocol awaits,” she groaned for Harry’s ears only. “You’ll be expected to join the queue.”

“I’ll be back shortly; I’m going to pop upstairs and check on Sammy.” Harry let go of her hand. “See you soon.”

Elise took her place just as McFarlane opened the castle door to their first guests. She was grateful her parents had moved the receiving line to beside the fireplace this year. Last year, she and her sisters had almost frozen to death in their formals before the queue had broken up.

“Such an antiquated tradition,” Elise grumbled between her mother and Sophie.

“It’s easier for Mother and Father to guarantee everyone is welcomed this way,” Sophie whispered.

Mother smiled and shook hands with the local MP. When he moved off, Lady Roxbury said through a smile, “With such a huge crowd, your father and I have no other options, Elise. Unless you can come up with a better way of ensuring we greet all our guests?”

Sophie and her mother were right, of course.

Circulating amongst their guests did not guarantee all would be welcomed. Traditions like this drove Elise stark raving mad. She much preferred more intimate gatherings. But the last few weeks at the castle had opened her eyes. Her parents were good people, and she honestly enjoyed Sophie’s company, and Roddy’s when his rare visits home coincided with hers. As for Cairstine, Elise determined to reserve her judgment. Cairstine was still young. Elise had changed quite a bit after she’d left home. Perhaps Cairstine was the same.

Before Elise could respond, the Duke and Duchess of Southerland stopped to chat. “Och. How pleasant to see you again, Lady Elise,” the duchess said, extending her hand.

“Thank you, Your Grace.” Elise curtsied.

“Are you back from your travels, or is this another short stay?” the duke inquired.

“I’m home for the time being.”

Harry, standing half a head taller than most men in the room, joined Zander at the end of the queue. The two of them conversed animatedly as they inched their way toward her family. From time to time, Elise cast glances in Harry’s direction. His dress uniform fit his tall frame and emphasized the broadness of his shoulders.

“And may I ask who your escort is this evening?” The duchess craned her neck to take in the younger men in the room.

Nosy woman. She was forever throwing her husband’s heir in her direction.

“He’s the military gentleman with Zander Matthews.” Elise nodded toward Harry.

The duchess gave Harry the once-over, her expression filled with open approval.

Elise didn’t blame her. A military uniform tended to produce that response in a number of women. And when one filled it with an impressive specimen like Harry Benson, the end result had a mouthwatering effect on its observers.

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