Redeemed by the Earl: Dukes, Spies, and Lies by Elizabeth Brighton

Author:Elizabeth Brighton [Brighton, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-09T23:00:00+00:00

Jemma watched as Laurence ran verbal circles around the Bow Street Runner. She would’ve felt sorry for him if he wasn’t between her and the information she needed.

Jemma slipped around to the back of the building and picked the lock. She eased inside and down to the main room. Rows of desks greeted her. Some were tidy, others buried under a mountain of stuff. It was early yet, and only a few were occupied, though no one noticed her as they huddled over the papers on their desks.

She didn’t know which was Mr. Carter’s, so Jemma stayed in the shadows as she silently slid along the rows. Jemma slipped further back into the large room, and a droplet of sweat slid along her spine. If any of the men glanced up, they might see her in the shadows.

But few saw what they didn’t expect to see, and she could always claim she was there to report a crime. She doubted Mr. Carter would recognize her if he saw her.

Walking as quickly and silently as she could, Jemma delved deeper into the administrative offices and discovered a handful of small rooms tucked away in the back corner.

Small rooms with locked doors.

Another drop of sweat slid down her spine as Jemma slid a pick from her pocket and searched for Mr. Carter’s. She found his name plate in the far back corner.

Jemma had picked harder locks in the dark, and she had the lock open as the other Bow Street Runners left to see who was causing the commotion at the front door.

She silently thanked Lord Haddington, then entered the office and closed the door behind her. Jemma’s heart thudded, and her blood sang in her ears. If they caught her in Mr. Carter’s office, she’d have no excuse for being there and no way out.

The thought both terrified and thrilled her.

Focusing on the mission, she scanned the room and noted the organized desk. A quick search of the drawers revealed the file on Lady Theodosia.

She skimmed it.

“Someone there?” one Runners called out toward Mr. Carter’s office.

“You better not go poking around Mr. Carter’s office. He was in a foul temper this morning. Said he had to go meet Lord Haddington,” another Runner said.

Jemma held her breath.

“Lord Haddington? Isn’t that him there?” the first Runner asked.

Jemma finished reading. She returned the documents to Mr. Carter’s desk and eased back to the door.

There was a semi-circle around Lord Haddington, and all the men that had been at their desks were now staring at him.

“Do you have information about Lady Theodosia or don’t you?” Haddington demanded in his best Earl of Essbury tone, brow arched as he delivered an imperious glare.

“Mr. Carter does, but he isn’t here,” one man said, clearly exasperated.

“Then where is he?”

“Meeting you at Hyde Park, your lordship.”

Jemma locked the door behind herself then slipped back into the shadows and out the rear door.

“So you have nothing at all to report? You got me out of bed for no reason?” Lord Haddington demanded.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.