Charming the Spy by Leighann Dobbs

Author:Leighann Dobbs [Dobbs, Leighann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-02-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

How were Rocky and Catt supposed to maintain a working relationship when every time she looked in his direction, she relived his kiss? She’d hoped after spending a full day working with him that the bizarre awareness afflicting her would fade. It hadn’t. If anything, it had grown stronger overnight. So strong, that she found it almost impossible to hide her attraction to him while they worked. She had to get away.

Grabbing the watering can, she went on a circuit of the manor’s houseplants. As she reached Lady Belhaven’s favorite parlor, a footman left, walking in the opposite direction. She couldn’t tell who from the back of his head—most likely Stefan given the build. Rocky paused in the doorway. Lady Belhaven was in there, seated in her usual chair next to the fire. Her grandson, Stanley, lounged on the sofa next to her. He flipped through the pages of a book.

The plants in this room were thriving, thanks to the care Lady Belhaven lavished on them. Rocky didn’t need to tend them. She started to take a step back, but the movement caught Stanley’s eye. When he looked up, he gave her a warm smile.

“Do come in.”

“Rocky,” Lady Belhaven greeted. She clasped her hands in front of her middle. “Is something amiss in the hothouse?”

“No, all is well. I just came to check on the plants.”

And to escape from Catt’s presence for a moment. Rocky should have been searching for clues while away from Catt, but she didn’t know where to start. Was Lady Belhaven aware of the French spymaster in her midst?

The old woman waved her hand toward the corner, where one of several ferns resided. “By all means, go ahead.”

Rocky danced from foot to foot. “I don’t want to interrupt…”

Stanley slipped his finger between the pages of the book as he closed it. He leaned against the back of the sofa, crossing his legs at the ankles. “Poppycock. You aren’t interrupting anything. I would feel like a heel if I kept a pretty woman from her work.”

Rocky narrowed her eyes at him, but upon earning no rebuke from Lady Belhaven, she reluctantly entered the room. She would tend the plants here quickly so she could move on. If both Lady Belhaven and Stanley were occupied, then their rooms would be unattended. If there was anything to be learned in their private chambers, Rocky would discover it.

Just as she watered the last plant in the room, another man entered the room. He was older than Stanley, but shared features with both Belhavens in the room. Most likely, this large, imposing man was Kenneth, Lady Belhaven’s son, who Catt had mentioned to her previously. Given his temperament, Rocky hastened to be away.

As she reached the doorway, the greeting between family members turned from civil to vicious. Coldly, Lady Belhaven said, “If you’re here to beg for money, save your breath. My opinion on the matter hasn’t changed.”

Kenneth’s posture changed. He seemed to loom over both seated parties like a thundercloud.

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