The Diamond Conspiracy: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel by Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris

Author:Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris [Ballantine, Philippa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-03-31T03:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

Wherein Our Agents Settle into Their New Accommodations and Brandon Hill Displays Astounding Culinary Skills

“Now is certainly not the right time to mention the ring to the director,” Eliza reminded Wellington, even as they watched the convoy of motorcars and horse-drawn carts coming up the drive. They had discussed away most of their remaining hours, but come to no real conclusion, except for this one. She pressed her hand on the door, preventing him from opening it. Wellington could have moments of blind and unfortunate honour. “This couldn’t have come at a worse moment in the Ministry’s history, my darling archivist, and you know it.”

He pressed his lips together and would not meet her eyes.

“Welly,” she said, her voice rising sharply, “I mean it. What is the point of bringing this up now? Your father is dead, you are an honest and true member of the Ministry—you’ve proven that over and over again. We need to stick together, and people need to trust you.”

It was a blunt blow, and it was designed to be that way. Still, Wellington looked up in utter shock. He immediately saw what she meant; he could imagine how some of the other agents, hurt, angry, and grieving, might look at him differently if they found out his father’s connections. If the words “House of Usher” ever came out, it might mean the end of the Ministry entirely. People who had just been attacked by their own government were not likely to throw their lot in with anyone associated in the slightest with that organisation. He couldn’t blame them for that either.

Eliza could see in every movement how deeply this revelation had damaged her lover. He had hated his father, suspected he was his mother’s murderer even, but this was an entirely different kettle of fish. To find out your father was in league with your sworn enemy . . . Well, she couldn’t imagine what that would feel like, and how it would make a person question themselves.

When Eliza placed a hand against his cheek, it was gentle, but her words remained stern. “You know in the army, when it was time to fight, how everyone needed to be a single unit?” He nodded. “Then you must know this is one and the same for us. Promise you won’t say anything to our comrades.”

Wellington straightened his jacket, and patted his pocket that contained the ring as if to verify it wouldn’t slip out. “I promise, Eliza . . . Unless it becomes important to the survival of the Ministry, I will hold my tongue.”

She had his agreement just in the nick of time too, because the engines were silent now, and instead footsteps could be heard coming up the stone stairs. Wellington grabbed Eliza, suddenly planting a passionate kiss on her that stole her breath and seemed to slow time. “Might be the last time for a bit,” he murmured once they parted in that husky tone of his she’d noticed he reserved for moments such as this.

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