Love, Lies, and Treasonous Spies by Anne Shaw

Author:Anne Shaw
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, regency romance, historical romance, historical romantic suspense
Publisher: Anne Shaw
Published: 2020-12-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

JACK PORED OVER THE newly arrived documents spread across the large oak desk in his study. The deal with the Canadians was near to completion and there were a few details left to work out. It was hard to concentrate on dry paperwork when a mental picture of Rachel on the chaise haunted his every thought. By this time tomorrow, she would be his wife.

While he wished it were otherwise, he wasn’t ignorant enough to believe she had forgiven him. He prayed that after they were married she would understand he hadn’t intended to take her precious Rosewood or her independence. What he desired above all else was a permanent place in her heart. An unexpected warmth spread throughout his arms and encompassed his chest at the idea. He refolded the documents and opened his desk drawer. To be in love was odd; a strange combination of longing for her company and alarm at how much he ached to be with her every minute of the day. He was quickly becoming obsessed. He blamed it on his lack of distraction. For years, he had hunted Hawk, the process encompassing his every waking hour. That was over with, although the desire to track the bastard still rested shy of his resolve.

He tried to slide the document into the narrow drawer. Something impeded its progress. Curious, he pulled out the invitations from the masquerade tucked inside. The one he took from Roland boasted Flynt’s crest, a stag. The other card had been Rachel’s. It boasted a griffon, the mystical creature with the head of an eagle and the body, back legs, and tail of a golden lion. He tilted the card and noticed how the slant of the wings looked familiar. Pouring a dollop of wax on a discarded piece of paper, he removed the ring from his finger and pressed the signet into the thick liquid. A perfect imprint of the kite showed in the red wax. He laid it beside the card from the masquerade and studied the lines of the impression. The curvature of the wing feathers and the delicate tips tilted at the same angle.

The wingspan on the bird, the card and the Sterling Crest matched, and a sick feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. Was it a mere coincidence, or was Flynt mocking him?

A knock at the door sounded. Henderson, dressed in his customary black, strode in. The big man was unduly amused by something. Jack wished he shared his lighthearted mood. He pushed his findings aside and motioned for Henderson to sit. “You look rather cheerful. You delivered the letter, I take it.”

Henderson poured two glasses of brandy without asking. He thrust one at Jack and knocked back the brandy before pouring a second glass for himself. “Good stuff, not up to par with my own but it will do. And yes, I delivered the letter directly to him per your request.” He pulled out his pocket watch and studied the face. “I give him fifteen minutes before he is banging on your door.

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