by Rebecca King
Jonathan had already received orders to go to Dadington, only a few short miles away from Bentney on Sea. If luck was on his side, he might be able to pay a quick visit to see if he could at least catch sight of Catherine. Even though he would be undercover and unable to approach her directly, he could at least catch sight of the woman who held his heart. He could only hope that there hadn’t been a swift change in her circumstances that had led her to the altar with someone else.
“Are you alright?” Hugo asked as they made their way back toward Crompton.
“I’m fine, just a little tired that’s all,” Jonathan sighed. “Onwards and upwards though. While you escort your wife home, I will head off to Dadington and see what I can find out about Beaulieu’s contact.”
“Are you two talking business again?” Francesca sighed, shaking her head at them ruefully.
“The business never stops, Francesca,” Hugo sighed, knowing that he had never spoken a truer word. He slid an arm around his wife’s waist and drew her closer than was usually appropriate but he didn’t care. Everyone there were friends and the locals seemed to love a wedding. He considered the events of the day. He had been the first to admit to having reservations about all of the Star Elite being at Crompton together but, given what had happened during their month long stay, it had proven to be invaluable in ensuring the path to Pie’s happiness was cleared enough for him to take Florrie to the altar. He was pleased for them both and, although they had not known each other for very long, could recognise the adoration in Pie’s eyes to understand the man’s deep devotion to the woman he had taken for his wife. He glanced over at Harriett and smiled at her.
“Are you alright?” She whispered softly, smiling lovingly at him.
“Never better, darling, never better.”
The spying business did indeed never stop. While England was at war with France they couldn’t relax. They couldn’t spend their days completely enjoying the comforts of hearth and home the way they would have undoubtedly preferred to do. While ever spies were a threat to the safety of the country, it was down to the men from the Star Elite, and their associates, to ensure that the foreigners were brought to justice. Although over recent months they had made great progress in bringing the spy smuggling operation to a halt, there was still many months’ worth of work to do.
He glanced at Jonathan and sighed at the sight of the dark shadows beneath the man’s eyes.
“I think you need to have a week for yourself,” Hugo sighed. He couldn’t send Jonathan on to his next mission already exhausted. Although they were fighting their own version of the war, he couldn’t send anyone into the dangers that Jonathan faced ill prepared. The man would need his wits about him to do a proper job, and the last thing Hugo wanted was for anything to happen to Jonathan because he wasn’t allowed to rest properly.
“Me?” Jonathan stared at Hugo, wondering where the change of heart had come from. “What about Dadington?”
“It can wait for another week or so. Go home, and when you have had a rest then go on to Dadington. Find out what we need to know but make sure you come back safe and sound.”
“If you insist,” Jonathan replied. He had no idea what had just happened but was grateful for the chance to go home for a while. Once again the image of Catherine swam before him almost teasingly and he felt the strongest urge to carry out Hugo’s orders, sooner rather than later.
“Come on,” Hugo sighed, clapping Jonathan on the shoulder. “Let’s go and celebrate.”
The End.
Other books by Rebecca King
The Star Elite – Book 1
Capturing Sir Dunnicliffe – released July 2013
The Star Elite – Book 2
Smuggler’s Glory – Released 20th November 2013
The Star Elite – Book 4
Lord Melvedere’s Ghost – Released 24th May 2014
The Star Elite – Book 5
The Lady Is Innocent – Released 10th June 2014
The Star Elite – Book 6
My Lord Deceived – Released 5th July 2014
The Cavendish Mysteries
If You Were Mine – released December 2012
Cinders and Ashes – released February 2013
Chasing Eliza – released March 2013
The Gallows Bride – released May 2013
Children’s Books
Archie’s Battleflat Adventures: The Harriman Mystery – December 2013
