The Captain and the Spy: A He Falls First Regency Spy Romance by Angela Johnson

Author:Angela Johnson [Johnson, Angela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pemberley Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Instead of joining the men for after supper port, Cornelius excused himself. He wanted to search the den before the men were expected to join the women in the drawing room. Blackwell would keep the men separated for at least an hour. That would be enough time to search the desk and shelves for anything significant. With his shoulders back and head held high, he carried himself as though he had permission to enter Lord Blackwell’s private den. This was necessary, but only because he knew there were servants constantly about in every corridor. To his surprise, he arrived at the door without having met any guests or servants. His path had been uncommonly clear.

Cornelius set to the search without delay. He opened each drawer in the large desk, searching for hidden latches or letters that could provide more information than what he currently had in his possession. When the drawers proved less than helpful, he knelt on the floor to search the underbelly of the desk. In the top right corner, he found what he was seeking. A small, barely noticeable lever peeked out from the top drawer. He reached up to release it and a sheaf of papers fell into his hands. Stuffing the contents into his hidden pocket, he closed it up and listened for the latch to click just as the door that passed between the den and the library opened.

He knew there was no way to hide under the desk, so he jumped up from the floor, but not before he caught his head on the edge of the desk. Rubbing the spot with his hand, Cornelius turned at the sound of a feminine voice.

“Captain, what are you doing down there?” Miss Wells laughed as she crossed the room and then pulled his hand away from his head to examine the injury.

Cornelius’s heart skipped a few beats as her fingers touched the newly formed bump and then combed his hair down over it. “I lost my timepiece when last I was in here.”

“You think it landed under the desk?”

“A thorough search is necessary when such an important item goes missing.” Cornelius quirked an eyebrow at her. “What is the verdict?”

“You will live.” Miss Wells leaned against the desk. “Why did you not stay with the men to smoke and drink port?”

“I have never enjoyed smoking.”

“The smell is rather off-putting. I have never understood why anyone would form such a habit.”

“Then I have your approval to skip out?”

“I suppose.” Miss Wells stepped around him as though she were searching for something.

“Did you lose an item in here as well?”

“Not at all. I thought to offer my assistance in the search for your timepiece, since we are friends.”

Cornelius chuckled. This would be one of the most unfruitful searches, but he couldn’t admit to a falsehood. “Are you not worried about your reputation?”

“I have escaped your clutches more than once without discovery. I have no doubt I could do so again.”

They silently went about the meaningless search until Cornelius heard Lord Blackwell’s voice in the hall.

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