Velvet Undercover by Brown Teri

Author:Brown,Teri
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: 2015-05-05T16:00:00+00:00

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins Publishers

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FOURTEEN

Hunting Pack: A surveillance team of agents stalking a target from one place to another.

The schoolroom routine is almost the same the next morning, except we don’t go out to the courtyard for a break. I wonder if it’s because of the assassin, but Lillian doesn’t say and I don’t ask. I do notice that there is now a guard stationed in front of the schoolroom door.

In spite of the undercurrent of tension, I can’t help but notice what a wonderful teacher Lillian is. Leaving the little ones to their writing, I move closer to where Lillian and the older ones are discussing science.

I smile when she glances over at me. “It’s a rare classroom that teaches chemistry this young,” I tell her.

“Trust me, chemistry is going to rule the world someday. It’s a bit of a passion of mine.” She turns back to the children. “Finish reading the rest of the chapter and then I’ll quiz you on it.”

A governess who’s passionate about chemistry? She seems more the literary type, but perhaps I’ve read her wrong. But still, I file her words away. Perhaps they mean something or perhaps not. I can’t take anything for granted.

Lillian doesn’t seem in the mood to chat when we finish school, so I excuse myself and make my way back to my room. I’ve only been here for a few days, but I’m no closer to finding out who Velvet is than when I arrived. My heart sinks. I could be here for weeks.

All I can do is pray that Captain Parker is keeping his end of the bargain and investigating my father’s disappearance. If I pull this off, MI6 is going to owe me, and all I want is information on my father’s whereabouts so I can go get him.

If he’s still alive.

I’m out of sorts by the time I reach my room and ready for a rest before supper. It isn’t until I put my hand on the knob that I realize that my door is ajar.

I freeze. Had I left it open this morning? No. I’m always careful to lock it because of the false documents and the palace schematics. Then I hear the scrape of a drawer opening.

My heart leaps into my throat and for a moment I’m tempted to call for help. I discard the idea immediately. I can’t draw attention to myself. Nor can I go away and let someone fish out any of my secrets.

I make sure I’m alone before stepping closer to the door. Pulling it open just enough to peer through the crack, I suck in a horrified breath.

My room has been ransacked.

From where I’m positioned, I can see drawers hanging open and clothing strewn all over the floor. The covers of my bed are rumpled and askew. I can’t see anyone inside, but know I have to confront whoever is there even though I have no weapon.

Surprise—Monsieur Elliot said my best weapon is surprise, so I take a deep breath and slip into the room.

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