Michael shook his head and whispered, “Don’t do it, Mouse.”
Katrina turned and dropped the journal into the fire. The flames roared up around it to devour its pages.
“No!” Tristan rushed forward to try to find a way to remove it from the fireplace, but was defeated when Katrina rushed forward to throw the contents of a glass of brandy into the mix. The blaze roared, singeing Tristan’s eyebrows, and the odor of burning hair filled the room.
Katrina and Michael both stepped back. The flames destroyed the last memory of her father and tears welled up in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Father.”
Michael moved toward her and put his arm around her. “You didn’t need to do that, sweetheart.” He held her close and watched Tristan. The book was black and the contents irretrievable.
The man before them swelled with rage. The gun was again raised and Michael shoved Katrina behind him.
“I will kill you.” Tristan’s teeth were clenched and his face was fierce.
“I saved your life on the battlefield more than once, Tris. And you saved mine as well. Before you end my pathetic existence, would you at least give me a reason as to why? Why you would betray me and your country?”
“My country?” Tristan gave a cold bark of laughter. “What have I here that is mine? I own no land, no title, no wealth.”
“I thought we were friends.”
Tristan’s voice cracked. “Maybe at one time. I’m sorry for that Michael, but it’s either your life or mine.”
“Who is forcing you?”
Tristan looked uncertain for a minute and shrugged. “I can tell you. Calls himself ‘Black Diamond.’ I’ve never met him, but he has power. And the reward is great if I bring him what he wants.” Tristan’s eyes took on a bleak look. “But you denied me my victory and prize, so only certain death awaits me now. However, I will not meet my end alone.” The gun shook a bit before raising a fraction higher.
Katrina backed away from Michael.
Tristan watched and uncertainty filled his gaze.
“You don’t want her anyway, Tris. It’s me you really mean to destroy, isn’t it?” Michael drew his attention back to himself.
Tristan shook his head. “I need you both dead. I cannot risk that you somehow tricked me.”
In a flash, a black and white bundle of fur climbed Tristan’s back and began nipping at his neck. Tristan frantically moved around, wildly waving the gun in an attempt to fend off the ferret’s attack.
Katrina withdrew her knife and aimed. She tossed it. The knife sliced through the air and found its home in Tristan’s neck. Blood spurted. The gun went off, knocking a picture off the wall and the man fell to the ground.
“You’ve been practicing, haven’t you? That had to be the most brilliant throw I’ve ever watched you make.” Michael moved over to the body of his valet, scooped up Fidget and lifted him to his shoulder. He felt for the pulse of the man laying at his feet.
A knock came at the door, followed by the landlord’s voice. “Do I need to call the magistrate?”
“No. We are fine,” Michael yelled.
“Did I…” Katrina asked.
Michael nodded and rose to his feet. Bringing Fidget off his neck, he set the ferret at the table to forage. He walked over to Katrina and enfolded her in his arms, making sure she could not see the dead man across the room. He loosened the pins from her hair and softly petted the silky strands as she sobbed in his arms. A wave of protectiveness flowed through him. He could not imagine living life without this woman by his side. He didn’t know if he could continue in this line of work with her. A formidable partner, she would be an asset, but he couldn’t handle any more instances where her life would possibly be in danger.
When the tears subsided, he pushed her away. He placed a kiss gently on her forehead as he wiped away a stray tear with his thumb.
“The ugly cry. I still think you are beautiful even now, Katrina. Why don’t you take Fidget up to our room and I’ll clean up here. There is no need for us to be up any longer.”
Katrina nodded, grabbed the unfinished bottle of port with her free hand and gave Michael a weak smile. The ferret leaped to her shoulders for a ride upstairs.
“Lock the door in case there are others with him. I doubt it, but let’s be safe. You remember my secret knock?”
Katrina nodded.
“Don’t open to anyone except me.”
She walked to the door, unlatched the bolt, and left him to dispose of the body.
~*~
Michael arrived up at the room and knocked. He heard the shuffling sounds within. The bolt moved and the door opened. Fidget skittered around his ankles as he came in and sat in a chair by the fire. A glass of wine waited for him there and he grabbed it and sipped.
Katrina bolted the door and padded across the small room to sit. She was dressed in her night rail and robe and her pink toes peeked out at him from under the folds of cotton. So young and innocent. Her eyes, however, told a different story.
“I’m sorry about your journal, Katrina. I understand how much that meant to you.”
“I’m sorry you had to destroy all our hard work.”
“I didn’t.”
“Excuse me?” Her tired eyes widened and eyebrows rose.
“I pulled out a piece that had some nonsense written on it. I didn’t sacrifice the document. Tristan didn’t suspect anything and had no chance to look at it. We can still get the completed translation to Lord Hughes when the roads clear. Will you come with me? We can still exonerate your father, even without the journal.”
Katrina leaned back, closed her eyes, and a soft smile emerged. “Thank you, Michael.”
“Would you help me get these boots off, Katrina? I find that I’m in need of the services of a valet and am short staffed at the moment.”
“Please don’t make light of his death, Michael.”
“He killed your father and planned to murder both of us as well. If he hadn’t been so sure of himself, he might have succeeded. Don’t feel bad about doing what you did. Fidget was pretty close to finding a strategic spot to bite as well, he was doomed regardless.”
“I didn’t know ferrets could kill people.”
“Pretty rare, but he and Tris never got along.”
Katrina moved to pull off Michael’s boots and set them to the side. He relaxed in the chair. “I’m exhausted, Mouse. How are you faring?”
“Tired, sad. Confused.” She sat down with her feet curled up underneath her. Her voice got soft. “Michael, you told the landlord we were married. We are alone in a room together.” She blushed, glancing towards the bed in the far corner.
“I’m sorry for the lies. I’ll grab a blanket and sleep here on the floor with Fidget. I’ve had far worse accommodations. Your virtue is safe with me.”
“But is yours safe with me?” Katrina whispered. She glanced back at him and held his gaze.
“The snow has stopped and we have a job to do. Tomorrow we will go back to London. Can you still ride astride like you used to?”
“If I dress as a man. I have the clothes with me, but not a warm enough cloak.”
“Your shoulder?”
“I think I can manage if we don’t push too hard.”
“Good. Why don’t we both get some sleep? We need to leave early in the morning.”
Katrina clenched her fingers in her lap. She released them slowly, pulled her feet out from under her, and rose. She padded across the room, removed a pillow and a blanket from the bed, returned to the hearth and made up a pallet. She came to him.
“Michael.”
“Kat?” He reached out and held one of her hands.
“I’m glad you will live, that the poisoning is over. I was terrified.”
“I know, Mouse. All is well.” He raised her hand to kiss it and let it go. “Off to bed with you, sweetheart.”
Michael tried not to watch as Katrina blew out candles near the bed leaving only the light from the fire to illuminate the room. He kept his eyes
focused away but her movements reflected in the standing mirror in the corner. A gentleman would avert his gaze, but tonight, Michael did not feel like a gentleman. Far from it. As Katrina slipped under the covers and snuggled into the pillow, he swallowed what was left of the wine and rose to climb under the covers of the pallet placed in front of the fire. He rested with his back to the dwindling flames and watched the shadows dance on the wall and ceiling. He wondered if hell was made of unfulfilled longings.
10
Michael woke early and dressed quickly. He went below stairs to get some coffee and toast before returning to awaken Katrina. When he came back, however, he found the bed empty and sounds coming from behind the screen. With little illumination, there were no shadows but that didn’t stop his imagination. He cleared his throat as he closed the door and moved into the room towards the fire, setting the food down on the table.
Katrina emerged from behind the screen and once again appeared as the young man whom Michael had found half-dead on his bedroom floor. Her hair was tucked up under a cap. Her pants and coat fit her well. She wore riding boots. There was no hint of the woman who drove him mad with longing. She’d abandoned her sling.
Katrina came forward and grabbed a piece of toast. “Thank you for thinking to bring up some food.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you don’t mind coffee. I needed that over tea this morning. I wasn’t sure what your preference was.”
“It used to be hot cocoa but I appreciate a coffee now and then.” She reached down to pour a cup and add in some sugar. She stirred it and took a sip. “Hot.” She put it down and nibbled on her toast as she found the chair.
Michael poured a cup, grabbed a piece of buttered toast, and sat down across from her. “Did you sleep well?”
“I was fine in that comfortable bed—but how about you?”
“I was fine.”
“How you are going to explain our absence and return here?”
“You’re belongings will be taken to Rose Hill. Maybe we’ll even be married by then.” He grinned as he lifted his cup to his lips.
Katrina stared at him. She stopped chewing and set her cup down on the side table. She stood and started pacing.
“Mouse?”
Katrina waved him away but didn’t answer. She had one hand over her nose and mouth and her eyes would periodically squeeze shut as she shook her head.
As she came back through her route he stopped her with a wall of solid muscle and arms enfolding her.
“I’m sorry if I upset you.”
She looked up into his face, so close to her own. His brown eyes were warm and searching as he gazed into her hazel ones.
~*~
It was so good to be snuggled into Michael’s arms as she wept. She wished he would not joke about marriage. All she’d ever wanted was to be his wife. She had no clue where they’d even live. Her only consolation in that dream of living and loving together was that she would finally be able to enjoy his touch and kisses without feeling as if it was wrong. She shuddered, sniffled, lifted her lips to his and kissed him softly.
He pulled back. “Mouse, we can’t. You don’t understand what you do to me.”
Katrina nodded and stepped away. “I’m sorry.” She walked to her cup of coffee and drank it down. She grabbed her hat and put it on top of her head. “Maybe we should depart?”
Michael followed suit, finishing his drink and grabbing his greatcoat and hat. “I found a coat for you. I borrowed it from Lady Orion’s servant. I hope you don’t mind that it doesn’t smell very fresh.”
He brought it to her.
She put it on and slid on her leather gloves.
“I’ll be fine. The more nondescript I look, the better. Shall we go?”
Michael nodded and checked the hallway before letting her out the door. They ended up on the first floor landing and took a side door to the back toward the stables. Once there, Michael led a fresh Pepper out into the snow that fell.
The blast of cold air sucked the breath out of her for a moment and cooled off any remaining ardor. Katrina spoke softly to the gelding he’d procured for her. She swung up into the saddle and put the horse through some paces to make sure he knew who was boss.
Michael swung up onto his own black stallion and without a word the two were off, heading into the rising sun, toward London.
Katrina was shortly cursing her bravado the night before. After a few hours in the saddle, her leg muscles cramped and she was sore all over, especially her wounded shoulder. Her head throbbed. They stopped for a short break and when she swung down from the horse, she fell into the snow and lay there, allowing the cold to seep in through her many layers.
Michael’s shadow came over her and he reached his hand out.
“Leave me here. I can’t go on.” Katrina closed her eyes.
“Underestimated how hard this would be?” Michael asked.
Silence.
“I suppose, if you really can’t go on, I can’t either. The mission will be lost and we can have the comfort of knowing we were together at the end.” He plopped into the snow next to her and lay down. “Ah, Mouse, you might have something here. A bed of ice is infinitely preferable to a fluffy pillow and feather bed warmed by a brick.”
Katrina started to giggle. She rolled onto her right arm to face Michael, placing her hand on his chest. She leaned forward to kiss him. Before he could react, she jumped to her feet, gathered up some snow and lobbed it at him. Michael howled as the snow spattered all over his face. He jumped to his feet, packing snow to return the favor. Soon they were hiding behind trees laughing and throwing snow and getting cold and wet. Finally, Katrina stopped and leaned against a tree. Michael came up to her. Both were breathing heavily. The laughter was gone.
Michael put one hand on Katrina’s head and leaned in. “I know you’re exhausted, Mouse. Do you think you can go on? We only have another hour to travel.”
Katrina nodded. “I’ll make it. We have to.” She sighed deeply.
“I wish…” he whispered.
“What?” She held his gaze. He said no more words but communicated his longing through his eyes before pushing away from the tree and escorting her to her horse. She climbed up, wincing, She would be rubbed raw from this day’s riding.
They arrived later in the afternoon and made sure the horses were cared for and well fed. Michael escorted her into his townhouse and up the stairs to a room adjoining his. Katrina sank into a chair in front of a fire he started for her. He came to pull off her boots and left. She dozed off, still fully dressed. When Michael awoke her a short time later, it was to find a tub in the room filled with hot water.
“I don’t have a closet of dresses for you, but I found some clothes that might fit if you can stand being a man for a few more hours.”
“Thank you, Michael,” she said with weariness. She untied her cravat and took off the greatcoat and lay it over the back of a chair to dry.
“I’ll leave you now. You can find me in the study downstairs when you are ready to go with me to visit Lord Hughes.” Michael turned to leave.
“Isn’t it too late? Won’t Whitehall be closed?”
“We will find Lord Hughes tonight. Never fear. We will finish this so you can have your life back.” With that, he strode from the room closing the door firmly behind him.
Katrina stripped, gingerly stepped into the hot tub, relaxed into the heat and the smell of…vanilla. She smiled. He’d noticed.
Michael also left a salve for her sore spots. When she felt presentable she made her way to the study on the first floor. Michael sat there with a tray of food, meat, cheese and some fruit.
He rose when she entered, walked over, placed a kiss on her cheek, and inhaled deeply. He stepped back and smiled. “Better?”
She nodded.
Michael placed a glass of brandy in her hand. “Here, drink this, it will help warm you up. A carriage will be ready in half an hour and we can set out to find Lord Hughes.”
~*~
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Michael almost helped her into the carriage and Katrina bit back a grin.
They headed first to the Ministry of Defense at Whitehall, but Lord Hughes was not there. They went to his home, but again, Lord Hughes eluded them.
Michael sank against the squabs, his teeth clenched, his mouth a thin line.
Katrina grew alarmed. “What? What’s wrong, Michael?”
“I think we may have to track Lord Hughes down at his club. But I wonder if I can get you in without your reputation being ruined.”
“I can play the role of a man. You needn’t worry for me, Michael. I take responsibility for my own choices and their consequences.”
“As a man, I take responsibility for caring for you. Remember, we don’t know who the ‘Black Diamond’ is. He might be a member of this club. We need to be careful.”
“You have the document?”
“A copy. The original is hiding elsewhere.”
“So, if something happens to you, how am I to find it?”
“Nothing will happen to me.”
“You don’t know that, Michael.”
“Trust me, Kat. It will all turn out fine. Lord Hughes knows where to look for it.”
“Are we bringing Fidget in with us?” Katrina motioned to the ferret that hid in a basket on the floor near the heated brick.
“Try to keep him out.”
Katrina’s eyebrow raised but she said no more.
The carriage pulled up to the curb at Brooks. Michael alit from the carriage and stood to wait for Katrina.
At the door, Michael was recognized and he introduced Katrina as Mr. Shepherd. They gained entrance and learned that Lord Hughes was present but currently dining in a private parlor. Michael sent a note to him and then he and Katrina found a place to sit. He ordered a bottle of wine.
Michael admired Katrina’s adaptation to the role of a man. Gone was the feminine sway of the hips for a loose-limbed manly strut without the swagger. She held herself straight and was unafraid to look others in the eyes as he introduced Mr. Shepherd to those curious as to who this unknown young sprig was with him.
Mr. Shepherd declined invitations to play cards and soon the two were sitting comfortably at a table with a bottle of wine between them, watching the other occupants of the room as they awaited Lord Hughes.
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