The Husband Mission (The Spy Matchmaker Book 1)

by Regina Scott

  Alex met his gaze in challenge. “And can you promise me that if I tell you all, the lady’s innocence will remain?”

  Hastings shook his head. “I am sorry, but I cannot. We would, of course, have to speak with the lady to corroborate your story.”

  Knowing Katherine, she would probably be only too delighted to visit the War Office. But her stepsister would also have to visit. If it became known, Alex could imagine the glee Lord Templeman would take in relating the damaging tale to the ton. Miss Templeman might never find a suitable husband. He traded his life for hers.

  Davis Laughton was watching him, dark eyes thoughtful. Hastings was obviously waiting for him to reply. “Have you nothing to say?” he urged.

  Alex squared his shoulders. “Nothing, my lord.”

  The marquis sighed. “You make things difficult for me, my boy. I will ask you one last time. Knowing that I may have to send you to prison to await trial for treason if you do not answer, where were you and what were you doing during your absence from the Willstencraft ball?”

  Alex took a deep breath. “I cannot tell you where I was at the Willstencraft ball, my lord. And that is my final word on the subject.”

  –

  Of course, Katherine insisted on leaving immediately for the War Office. Sir Richard attempted to dissuade her, but she would have none of it.

  “We may not know why they accused him,” she argued, “but it may have something to do with his shadow. We know more about the fellow than anyone except Lord Borin. At the very least, we can assure them of his lordship’s character.”

  In the end, Sir Richard could only capitulate. Constance and Bixby also indicated their interest in helping, so the four of them hailed a hack and hurried to the War Office.

  Getting to see Lord Hastings, however, proved to be more difficult. Katherine was a little surprised to find that her uncle and Bixby were well known to many of the senior staff. They were met with salutes and bows wherever they went. It did not take them long to reach the private suite of the Marquis of Hastings. A young captain in an Oxford blue uniform stood guard before the entrance. He too seemed to know Sir Richard, but he refused to let them pass.

  “His lordship is in an important meeting,” he explained. “I regret that I have been ordered not to disturb him.”

  “But we have critical information,” Sir Richard began in protest. Katherine half listened as she eyed the loyal captain. He stood as tall as her uncle, with short-cropped raven hair and warm brown eyes. The only thing distinguishing him from any other eager captain was a small gold cross half-hidden by the black leather baldric crossing his chest. She had vowed not to manipulate except in a good cause, and surely this was the best. But not knowing the captain, she was hard-pressed to determine how she might appeal to him.

  It was then that she noticed that he too was only half listening to the conversation. His warm smile was all for Constance, who stood at Sir Richard’s right elbow. Even more fascinating, however, was the way Constance dimpled at his look of admiration.

  Katherine nudged Bixby beside her. Intent on the conversation between Sir Richard and the guard, he started, then turned to her with a frown. She nodded toward the captain and Constance and winked. Bixby followed her gaze, then grinned. She was certain he saw what she did. Katherine nodded again, hoping he would realize that she had a plan and would follow her lead.

  The captain continued to offer seemingly sincere apologies. Sir Richard had run out of logic and was blustering, red-faced. Katherine stepped easily beside him, laying a hand on his arm. “Oh, dear,” she murmured aloud, “it is such a shame we cannot see Lord Hastings. Now we will have to leave London without saying farewell.”

  Sir Richard frowned. She nodded toward Constance, who was gazing up at the guard from under her golden lashes. The captain was fiddling with his baldric as if trying to screw up his courage to speak to him. Her uncle’s brow cleared.

  “Yes,” Sir Richard agreed, “a disappointment, to be sure. Constance, I imagine your heart will be broken. Constance?”

  Constance’s dimple was showing, and she pursed her lips as she too cocked her head. One gloved hand toyed with the cross around her own neck. The guard winked at her.

  “Constance?” Katherine repeated. “Will you not be heartbroken if we do not get to see Lord Hastings immediately?”

  Constance blinked and focused on her with obvious difficulty, causing the guard to start as well. “Heartbroken?” her stepsister asked with a slight frown.

  “Yes,” Katherine hissed with determination. “I should think it likely that you might even faint.”

  Constance stared at her, then a slow smile spread. As if realizing someone might notice, she immediately sobered. “Oh, dear,” she murmured. “I fear you are right.” Her hand fluttered to her brow. “Oh, never to see dear Lord Hastings again. Never to gaze upon his wise brow. Never to hear words of encouragement from his noble mouth. Never to smell the sweet aroma of…”

  “Yes, dear,” Katherine snapped as her stepsister once again warmed to her role, “we know how much you dote upon Lord Hastings. You must try to contain yourself.”

  “I regret that I cannot allow you entrance,” the captain said consolingly. “But ‘He that waiteth on his master shall be honored.’”

  Constance fell immediately out of character, beaming at him. “Proverbs 27:18,” she said. “I used to quote that verse whenever my governess seemed too strict.”

  Katherine grit her teeth and nudged her as the captain smiled approvingly. “I think the captain is using it to remind you that we must return later. Is that what you want, Constance?” She could feel Sir Richard and Bixby watching her stepsister as if they held their breaths.

  Constance blinked, obviously recalling herself. Her shoulders slumped. “Later?” she breathed, gazing up at the captain as her hand fell limply to her side. “But you do not understand. Later would be entirely too…late.”

  “Precisely,” Katherine said. “Now, come away, Constance, before you drive yourself to a complete collapse.”

  “I…I…,” Constance murmured, eyes rolling back in her head as her voice faded away. “I fear I am beyond help.” She crumpled elegantly toward the floor. The captain heroically scooped her up into his arms.

  “How very embarrassing,” Sir Richard lamented, moving to block the edge of the door from the captain’s view. “My niece has such tender sensibilities. I apologize, Captain Randolph.”

  Bixby took up sentinel on his other side to prevent the fellow from moving away with his burden. “Poor little mite,” he murmured, giving Katherine the elbow. “She needs a strong shoulder to lean on.”

  “Completely understandable,” the captain assured them as Sir Richard waved Katherine past behind his back. She did not wait to hear more but slipped inside and closed the door behind her.

  She was in a small antechamber. A neat walnut desk and chair stood squarely in her path, but no one sat at it. She could not know whether the captain was its usual occupant or whether its owner was behind the only other door in the room. She tiptoed across the thick blue carpet and leaned her ear against the panel. She could hear nothing from inside. That was not surprising, she supposed. When one led a spy ring, one probably invested in sturdier doors to prevent eavesdropping. She should really look into such doors for their town house.

  So, what to do? She was afraid to knock. What if the occupants refused to answer? Worse, what if there was another guard who turned her away? If she wanted to know what was happening, there was only one thing for it. Squaring her shoulders, she pressed down on the handle and opened the door.

  And was just in time to hear Alex announce, “I cannot tell you where I was at the Willstencraft ball, my lord, and that is my final word on the subject.”

  “But not mine,” Katherine declared.

  The older man behind the desk looked up, and Alex jumped to his feet at the sound of her voice. The only other occupant of the room, a slender gentleman at the back, started forwa
rd, but the older man held up his hand to stop him. Then he too rose to confront her.

  “Do you have something to add to this conversation, young lady?” he asked politely

  Alex moved to her side, face stern. “She does not. I am certain her interruption was a mistake, wasn’t it, madam?”

  She met his deep blue gaze and thought she saw concern for her in it. Didn’t he know it was far more important for her to save him? She raised her head in determination, then peered around him. “I believe I may have something to say, sir. If I might stay?”

  Alex shook his head, then turned to the older man. “My lord, I protest. This was to be a private meeting.”

  “Then why is he allowed to be here?” Katherine replied, nodding toward the man at the back of the room.

  The older man smiled. “Stand aside, Borin. Let the young lady speak her mind. She appears to be rather good at it.”

  Ignoring Alex’s glare, Katherine scooted around him and spread her grey skirts in a curtsey. “Thank you, my lord. You would be Lord Hastings?”

  He bowed. “Your servant, madam. As we are in the middle of a discussion, I shall not introduce my associate. But if I might know your name?”

  “It is unimportant,” Alex started just as she replied, “Katherine Collins, my lord.”

  Hastings smiled. “Ah, Sir Richard’s girl. You are most welcome, my dear. Won’t you sit down?”

  Katherine perched on the chair. The unnamed gentleman, who she assumed must be an arch spy, dragged another chair from the wall and set it beside her, motioning for Alex to sit as well. Alex complied, face hooded. She was sorry to have to go against his wishes, but his life was at stake.

  Lord Hastings seated himself behind the desk. “Well, Miss Collins, you have no doubt gone to a great deal of trouble to reach my office and involve yourself in our discussion. Would you care to explain why?”

  Katherine nodded. “Certainly, my lord. I understand from my uncle that you believe Lord Borin capable of espionage.”

  Hastings inclined his head. “That is the charge against him.”

  “I am amazed you did not dismiss it out of hand,” she scolded. “His honor is unassailable.”

  Hastings managed a polite smile. She thought the man behind him was biting his cheek to prevent laughter. She glared at him.

  “We have already taken that into consideration, my dear,” Lord Hastings assured her. “I appreciate your passionate defense of the man you love, but I need facts.”

  Could he tell so easily that she loved Alex? Was her love emblazoned on her face as it was on her heart? Well, so be it. The time for half-truths and trickery was past. She vowed to tell everything if that would save him. She could feel Alex watching her. She dared not look at him. Would she see censure in those eyes, or hope? Either might make her forget what she had come here to do. She took a deep breath.

  “You were discussing the Willstencraft ball when I entered, I believe,” she told Lord Hastings. “I was there and watching Lord Borin much of the time. What do you wish to know?”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Miss Collins,” Alex started once more.

  “Will say what she pleases,” Hastings clipped. “If you attempt to stop her again, Borin, I will have you escorted out.”

  Alex stiffened. “I merely wished to point out,” he said tightly, “that Miss Collins should consider her own needs first for once.”

  Now Katherine stiffened. Her own needs? For once? Did he understand about her War Office then? Had he forgiven her? She had to know. She chanced a look at his eyes and saw love and encouragement written there. Any concerns she had melted away. She smiled at him and saw his mouth curve in a smile in return.

  “Miss Collins?” Lord Hastings prompted. “You were going to tell us about the Willstencraft ball?”

  She returned her gaze to him with difficulty. “Yes, my lord. As I said, I had Lord Borin in my sights much of the time. What is the question?”

  “I will not ask you why you had young Borin under surveillance,” he replied knowingly, and she blushed. “What we wish to know is where he disappeared on two separate occasions and what he did then.”

  Katherine blinked. Two occasions. She’d wager she knew exactly what he’d been up to, and why he refused to speak of it himself. “Oh, that is simple. On the first occasion my stepsister invited him out onto the terrace to attempt to compromise him, only he was too noble.”

  Hastings coughed, and she had a feeling he was trying to hide a laugh. The fellow behind him suddenly found something fascinating on the floor.

  “Very commendable,” the marquis said. “I had no idea the fellow could resist temptation so admirably. I trust Miss Templeman would be willing to verify your story?”

  Katherine nodded. “Very willing. She highly esteems Lord Borin.”

  “Yes, very personable fellow, Borin,” Hastings quipped. “I had similar reports from any number of young ladies. And what can you tell me about the other occasion?”

  “That is easy as well. Part of that time he was with me.”

  “Busy fellow,” Hastings replied, frowning at Alex. “But you said part of the time. Do you know what occurred the other part?”

  “Most assuredly.” She paused, trying to determine how best to phrase it. Much as she disliked Lord Templeman, she didn’t wish to spread gossip, particularly through the War Office. But Lord Hastings was watching her, and she had a feeling he’d see through any screen she attempted to put up. She hurried on. “Lord Templeman, my stepsister’s cousin, was attempting to bribe Lord Borin to stay away from Constance.”

  Hastings blinked as if the answer surprised him. “And how do you know this?”

  Now she felt Alex’s eyes on her. He was probably thinking she’d eavesdropped. For once, she could say that was not the case. “I saw them return to the ballroom together,” she told Lord Hastings, “and I saw the results of the bribe.”

  Alex shook his head, but the smile on his face told her the gesture stemmed more from reluctant admiration rather than censure.

  “So,” Hastings mused, pursing his lips, “Borin accepted a bribe from Templeman?”

  Now why did she think he invested Lord Templeman’s name with particular interest? Was Constance’s cousin more involved in this matter than she had thought?

  “Actually, Lord Borin did me a favor,” Katherine explained. “He was never courting my stepsister. Lord Templeman was mistaken in that regard. Lord Borin knew that Lord Templeman had kept something of mine and in exchange for supposedly ceasing his suit with Constance, he forced Lord Templeman to return it.”

  “And this item would be?” Hastings prompted.

  “My harp,” she said. Beside her, Alex smiled fondly.

  “I think I begin to see,” Hastings replied. “An interesting story, Miss Collins. You would be willing to swear its truth on your honor?”

  “Yes, of course,” she agreed. “Lord Borin is no spy, my lord. I would stake my life on it.”

  Alex reached out to squeeze her hand, and she took joy from the gesture. Surely their problems were over.

  Hastings leaned back in his chair. “What else can you tell me about Lord Templeman?”

  So, he was interested. “Only that I like him very little,” she replied, but couldn’t help adding a question of her own. “Why do you ask?”

  “Let us merely say,” Lord Hastings replied with a short smile, “that I have taken an interest in him.”

  Katherine’s frown deepened. “Was he the one who accused Lord Borin?”

  His dark eyes kindled. “Why would you suspect that?”

  Why wouldn’t she? A better question would be why hadn’t she seen it sooner. “Only because he was so sure that Lord Borin was the spy,” she told Lord Hastings. “He warned me days ago that Lord Borin would be caught for espionage.”

  Alex frowned. Hastings raised a brow. “Did he indeed?”

  Katherine nodded, assurance growing with every moment. “He must have intended to implic
ate Lord Borin all along, the toad! He probably arranged to have Lord Borin followed as well.” Another realization hit, and she hopped to her feet. “That’s why the shadow went to Miss Montgomery’s flat! He was bribing her to tell that ridiculous tale.”

  “And what tale would that be?” Lord Hastings asked, leaning forward as Alex gazed at Katherine in amazement.

  Katherine shook her head. “Nothing about your spy, I promise you. She came to our home to convince Constance that Lord Borin beat her.”

  “What?” Alex all but yelped, hopping to his feet as well. “Katherine, I swear to you that I…”

  “Am innocent,” Katherine completed, laying a hand on his chest and gazing up at him. “I know that. You would never bully anyone. You are far too much a gentleman.”

  The anger drained from his face to be replaced by such a warm smile that her heart turned over.

  Lord Hastings cleared his throat. “Have you anything else you’d like to share about your stepsister’s cousin, Miss Collins?”

  Katherine forced her gaze away from Alex to eye the marquis. “Only that I would very much like to get my hands on him.”

  “I share your desire, my dear,” Lord Hastings assured her. “I believe you can safely leave the matter with me. Lord Borin, Miss Collins, thank you for coming. You are free to go.”

  –

  Alex stared at Hastings. She’d done it. They were free. He felt his grin spreading as he returned his gaze to Katherine. She smiled up at him. His gaze was drawn to her sweet lips.

  Hastings interrupted any further thought. “A moment, Borin, before you go.”

  Alex turned to him with difficulty. Beside him, Katherine stiffened warily.

  “My lord?” Alex asked.

  Hastings quirked a smile. “You offered your assistance to my service some time ago. If the offer still stands, I should like to take you up on it.”

  Alex blinked. “My lord? I thought you felt me unqualified.”

  “Certain actions have come to my ears,” Hastings replied. “I amend my earlier opinion. We’d be pleased to have you.”