The Spy's Lady: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 2)

by Laura Shipley

  Kate collapsed on Ethan, her body spent. The last thing she recalled was Ethan pulling the sheets over them before exhaustion overtook her.

  They awoke to the mid-morning sun. After they dressed, Kate went to see Robbie while Ethan took care of other business. She spent the morning playing with Robbie, and she told him they would be returning home soon. The little boy was disappointed about leaving, but Kate promised they would be back when she married Ethan. The answer made Robbie smile and cheer.

  Later that afternoon, the servants packed the carriage with their belongings. Kate would return to her parents’ home and write to them about what had happened. She would see that everything was set right before returning to Leicester.

  Ethan had sent a letter ahead to let Phillip know that Kate and Robbie would be returning. There had been no word from Phillip about whether or not Arthur had been found, but Ethan felt it was safe for her to return since they had arrested Brightley. If there was still trouble Phillip would let him know and Ethan would come if needed.

  The carriage was ready, along with an escort of four of Ethan’s men. Kate embraced Hugh and Louis and thanked them for their help. She turned to Ethan. He promised to write to her every day and to visit as soon as he could. He kissed Kate and helped her into the coach. She was a little saddened as they rode away, but she knew the separation would not be for long. In a few months, they would be husband and wife. Kate’s heart soared.

  Epilogue

  Five months later

  The ceremony was a joyous occasion. Ethan and Kate held the wedding at Ethan’s family estate in the country. All their friends and family had attended. Hugh had been allowed a short leave from his military duties to attend. Kate saw him steal a few glances in Emily’s direction, but she had not acknowledged him all day. Kate would speak with Emily in the next few days before she returned to London. She knew Emily was still hurt from the events five months prior, but she had to move on with her life.

  Kate wanted everyone to be as happy as she was today. Everything was as it should be. Phillip had caught Arthur a day before she and Robbie had returned to Leicester and had escorted him back to London, where both he and Mr. Brightley had pleaded guilty to all charges. The court sentenced them to be shipped to the Australian colony.

  Robbie dashed around all day telling everyone he had a new father. The little boy had run around so much that early in the evening, Kate found him fast asleep on a sofa. She handed him off to Nana, who had made a full recovery from the blow she had sustained from Mr. Brightley.

  The celebration lasted into the night. By the time her maid helped her out of her wedding dress, Kate was exhausted from the day. She and Ethan planned on spending one more day at the estate before going back to Leicester. With the war going on, it was not prudent to travel for a honeymoon. Ethan still helped with Sir Darnley’s organization, but he had asked for two weeks to celebrate his marriage. Sir Darnley, who had attended the wedding, had been happy to oblige. He had been eager to wish the couple much happiness.

  The maid helped Kate into her nightgown then left, a shy smile on her face. If only the maid knew what she and Ethan had already shared. They had grabbed a few moments alone over the last five months, but now they would have every night together.

  Kate crawled into bed and waited for Ethan. He had been saying goodbye to some of the guests when she had whispered that she would wait upstairs. The heated expression on his face had said he would not be far behind her.

  After another five minutes, Ethan entered. He didn’t say a word but removed his clothes and stood naked before her. No longer shy, Kate kneeled on the bed and lifted her nightgown over her head. She noticed her actions had the desired effect when Ethan’s cock grew large in anticipation. He made his way onto the bed and cupped her face. He kissed her tenderly at first, but it quickly became more adamant.

  Their passion took flight, and Kate opened herself up to the love and desire of the man she had just wed. She kissed Ethan again, and they sank to the bed. As they made love for the first time as husband and wife, Kate relished every stroke, every touch, and when Ethan’s caress ignited her desire, she knew no other would ever do.

  The End

  AUTHOR NOTES:

  Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads and/or Bookbub. It’s much appreciated.

  I love hearing from readers. You can follow me on Facebook at “Laura Shipley”. You can also follow me on author central on Amazon or Goodreads. You can also contact me through email at thelaurashipley@gmail.com.

  Enjoy this sneak peek at the third book in the series, Hugh and Emily’s story, “No Other Spy Will Do”.

  Chapter 1

  Constantinople, February 1855

  The smell of blood and sweat lingered in the air. Although it was winter, Emily had not adjusted to the heat of the region compared to the cold winter seasons in England. Emily Norris had been at Scutari, the British base hospital in Constantinople, for six months, and felt as though she would never acclimate to the weather. England and its allies were at war with Russia. The conflict had been raging on the Crimean Peninsula for the last two years.

  Emily wiped the sweat from her brow. The heat combined with grueling hours was beginning to wear on her. Every day since she had arrived, more soldiers poured in from the battle front. Although the work was relentless and at times thankless, she would not change her situation for the world; it was everything she had ever dreamed and worked hard to achieve.

  After leaving her parent’s estate at the behest of her brother over a year ago, she had returned to London to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She had gone to the hospital and found there was a need for more nurses on the continent, and, unbeknownst to her family, she had taken the required training courses and volunteered to come here.

  At times Emily still felt guilty for deceiving everyone, especially her brother, Ethan, but it was the only way to escape her sheltered life and painful memories. She wished to forget she was a marquis’ daughter whose main purpose in life was to marry well and produce children. She wanted to prove she was a grown woman and not be treated like a child by her family.

  Most importantly she needed to forget Hugh.

  Hugh Fitzsimmons, the only man who had ever interested her, wanted nothing to do with her. They had met years ago when he had come home with Ethan for a school holiday. Her brother and Hugh were best friends and now were spies together in a secret organization run with the consent of the British government.

  Right before she left, she had all but proclaimed her feelings to Hugh, but he had rejected her. He had given excuses at every turn—he was too old for her, he was no good for her, whatever he could say to push her away. They had saved each other’s lives one night, and still it was not good enough. Perhaps thousands of miles would heal the wound of her broken heart. The day she rode away from the estate was still as fresh in her memory as if it were only yesterday, the sight of Hugh on horseback watching her leave indelibly printed in her mind. It was as if a piece of her heart had stayed behind as well.

  Emily shook herself out of her melancholy thoughts. Exhaustion seemed to make them worse. Hugh did not matter anymore. She had not seen him since the day she’d left and had no desire to see him again. Besides, she did not think her heart could handle it.

  She refocused on her task and finished dressing the soldier’s wound. The last few hours of her shift passed quickly as she kept busy seeing to the needs of her charges. There were always patients who needed a drink of water or wounds tended too. At last the lamps were lit for the evening, and the men quieted down for the night. Emily washed her hands in a basin and turned to leave.

  The walk to the nurses ’living quarters was a short one, close enough they could be at the hospital in a few minutes if necessary. Half way to her destination she heard a familiar voice.

  “Miss Grant.”

  Emily cringed every time she heard the name, another sign of her deception. When
she had signed on to be a nurse, she had used her mother’s maiden name, not wanting anyone to recognize her family name. No one would let the daughter of a marquis travel half way across the continent to tend to soldiers. Emily saw Dr. Patrick Rothchild make his way toward her.

  “Miss Grant, please forgive me. I saw you walking to your quarters and thought you might want a short stroll before you retire.”

  The poor doctor had pursued her since her arrival. At first he had admired her abilities, including her knowledge of medicinal herbs and skill with a needle and thread. Over time, his feelings had turned more amorous. Emily had been flattered at first but did not reciprocate his affections. She had tried to discourage the young doctor, but he was persistent in his efforts.

  “Hello, Dr. Rothchild. I’m sorry I do not feel like walking tonight. I’m very tired and want nothing more than to retire to my room, but thank you.”

  Emily didn’t even stop but made her way to the nurses’ quarters. Men were not allowed so she could effectively avoid any of his further attentions. Unfortunately, Dr. Rothchild caught up with her and gently took her arm to stop her just before she entered.

  “I beg your pardon, Grant. I should have known better. Please accept my apologies. Perhaps another time.”

  Emily could not let this go on much longer but was too tired right now to care. “Thank you, Doctor. I will see you in the morning.” She retracted her arm from his hold and entered the building. She changed into her nightgown in record time and slipped under the covers. Usually she would stay awake for a while thinking about home or her family, sometimes even Hugh, but tonight sheer exhaustion helped her slip quickly into a deep slumber.

  The next day Emily reported for duty feeling refreshed and ready to work. The morning passed uneventfully. She enjoyed her time with the soldiers. Most were young men who missed home. A friendly smile and a gentle touch went a long way to make them feel at ease. Emily had a cordial relationship with her fellow nurses as well but hesitated to make any true friendships. She worried her secret would be discovered. One slip of the tongue would have her on a boat back to England.

  The afternoon faded to evening and the lamps started to flicker over the camp. Emily had decided to take a few minutes to get some fresh air when she heard hoof beats coming down the main path to the camp, quickly followed by shouts from the men on horseback for help.

  Emily raced over and saw some of the horses carried two riders while other mounts carried their wounded compatriots. A flurry of activity ensued as the bleeding men were taken off the horses. Some were unable to walk and had to be laid on the ground until a stretcher came while others were assisted over to the hospital.

  Emily stayed with the most severely wounded and shouted orders at the soldiers and other nurses. She had a calm head in a crisis which had garnered the respect of her peers. She made a quick assessment of the wounded and determined which cases should take priority, calling the doctor over to two men who looked to be staring death in the eye.

  The last of the fallen men were being carried into the hospital when another round of horses sprinted into the courtyard. Emily realized it must be the rest of the unit. As she headed toward the hospital a voice stopped her in her tracks.

  She would know that voice anywhere, heard it in her sleep. The rich baritone emanated authority and confidence as he barked orders to the soldiers under his command. How could it be? No one from her life in London knew she was here, so his presence must be pure coincidence; a coincidence that the only man she had ever loved, Hugh Fitzsimmons, had just ridden into camp.

  Emily spent the next hour focused entirely on the wounded soldiers. She helped Dr. Rothchild do an amputation; much as it displeased her when a man had to lose a limb, she knew it was better than dying from an infection. Others simply required their wounds mended or dressed. She did anything to keep her mind busy, avoiding the fact of Hugh’s presence somewhere nearby.

  “Nurse Grant, I need your assistance,” a nurse called from across the room. She finished giving her patient a drink of water and turned down a row of beds, her mind clearly elsewhere, and came face to face with the dark, cold eyes of Hugh.

  Her mouth felt suddenly dry, and the pulse in her throat quickened. She tried to swallow but could not, frozen as she was under his gaze. For a moment she felt like a child who had been caught misbehaving. He took a step forward, but she heard her name again, more urgently this time.

  Emily took a moment to compose herself before walking past Hugh and mumbling an excuse. By the time she had finished her task, Hugh was gone. She was safe for now, but she knew Hugh would find her, and when he did there would be hell to pay. Of that she was certain.