The Lord and the Spy

by Slade, Heather

  She’d not said anything about returning to the States, and I certainly wouldn’t open that can of worms in front of my sister.

  With my new position at MI6, it wouldn’t be easy for me to take an extended holiday. On the other hand, as the last few months had proven, my life wasn’t worth much if Wren wasn’t in it.

  “Where have you gone off to?” Wren asked, borrowing the phrase I so often used with her.

  “I’m here.” I smiled. “Very much here, in fact. Thinking about you and me.”

  “And?”

  “That’s all. Nothing else is of concern.” I pulled up to the front of the abbey. “It looks as though we’re not the only arrivals from London.”

  It appeared my mother, Rivet, and Z had pulled up shortly before we had. Pinch and Shiver were helping with their bags.

  “Full up at the abbey tonight,” I said, opening Wren’s door.

  “Good to see you, finally,” said Shiver, setting the bags he was carrying down to greet Wren.

  “Hello, Shiver,” she said, kissing both of his cheeks.

  “Losha and Darrow are inside, both anxious to see you.”

  “Not before her father,” said Z, coming up to hug her.

  “You are in so much trouble,” I heard her mutter.

  “A state I often find myself in, it seems,” he laughed.

  “Sutton, please introduce us,” said the duchess, also coming over to meet Wren.

  “Of course, Mother, but can we please go inside? It’s starting to rain.”

  While everyone else hurried in, I hung back, Wren’s hand firmly grasped in mine.

  “It’s hardly sprinkling,” she said, smiling up at me.

  “I know, but I needed to do this before you’re whisked away from me.”

  I pulled Wren into my arms and kissed her. “I love you, my Wren.”

  “I love you, Wilder.”

  “Remember, we aren’t staying a minute past dessert.”

  “Sutton?” shouted my mother from just inside the front door. “We’re waiting.”

  “Before we go in, how shall I introduce you?”

  She sighed. “I don’t think it matters much at this point, at least within your family, given you and your brother, Rivet, and even Pinch either work or have worked for SIS.”

  “Shall we, then?”

  “I may need another kiss first.”

  I smiled and indulged her, something I would gladly do as often as she liked.

  “Wren, I’d like you to meet my mother, Duchess Victoria. Duchess, this is Kennedy King-Alexander, affectionately known to all as Wren.”

  I watched my mother carefully as she visibly assessed the woman I loved. While I respected her very much, she had a catty side I’d not tolerate when it came to Wren.

  “It’s lovely to meet you,” said the duchess as the two shook hands.

  “Likewise, ma’am.”

  “Is that Wren?” I heard my sister come in from the other room, and I cleared my throat.

  “What?” She looked at me with hands on her hips.

  “I’ve not seen you since summer.”

  “Oh, sorry.” She hastily kissed both my cheeks before dragging Wren God knew where.

  “It’s nice to see the two of you together,” said Z, approaching to stand next to me but with his back to the rest of the group. “We do need to chat.”

  “About?”

  “An urgent matter.” Z looked over his shoulder. I doubted he’d hesitate to speak in front of Shiver or Rivet. The duchess was an entirely different story.

  “A moment?” I said to my brother.

  Thankfully, our mother picked up on my tone and put her hand on Riv’s arm. “I’ll go join the girls, as they say.”

  Shiver led us into his study and closed the door. “You have the floor,” he said to me.

  “Z requested this chat,” I said, motioning to Wren’s father.

  “While this would typically be out of reach for MI5, a situation involving a member of MI6 has been brought to my attention,” Z said, clearing his throat.

  “Out with it, Z. What’s happened?” My impatience was reaching its limit.

  “There’s been a security breach.”

  I gripped the back of the chair in front of me. “How bad?”

  “There’s a chance Wren’s Finley Harlow cover has been blown.”

  My grip on the chair tightened as the ramifications of Z’s words raced through my mind.

  “You believe this information was leaked from within MI6?”

  “I’m certain of it. Thomason has been taken into custody.”

  “Thomason? When?”

  Z pulled out his mobile. “Five minutes ago.”

  I looked between Z, Shiver, and Rivet. None of the three appeared surprised.

  “A replacement needs to be named as quickly as possible, Wilder,” said Rivet.

  “Do you have a suggestion?”

  “George.”

  I nodded. It was the name I’d expected.

  “I’ll take care of it,” said Z.

  “The breach itself needs to be addressed, Wild,” said Shiver.

  I nodded. “Before I bring this to Wren, I’d like to know how far-spread this is.”

  “There was also a breach in DHS,” said Z.

  “Sanborn?”

  “Yes, and she’s also in custody.”

  “Were they working together?”

  “Yes,” Z answered.

  “Anyone else?”

  “It appears United Russia may have had a hand in it. However, that has yet to be confirmed.”

  “Bloody hell.”

  “We’ll know more once they’ve both been interrogated.”

  “While I’m not making light of the seriousness of the breach, isn’t this something NGA should be handling?”

  “In part. Vera is en route presently.”

  There was a knock at the door, and before any of us could respond, Wren burst in, mobile in hand.

  “Excuse us, please,” I said.

  Shiver and Rivet left the room, but Z stayed.

  “I should’ve killed her when I had the chance.”

  I raised a brow, trying to stifle a grin at her unexpected reaction. “When was that?”

  “Every time I sat in her office and had to look at her smug face.”

  “This is serious, Wren,” said Z.

  “I know it is, but it’s been a long time coming. Part of my decision as to whether I’d return to the NGA was what my role would be once my cover as Finley Harlow was blown. Now that it’s happened, it’ll be easier to make that determination.”

  Z rested his hand on her shoulder. I was close enough to reach out, but I waited, studying her responses, both verbal and nonverbal. The Wren I’d gotten a glimpse of in Cumbria was here in the room with us, and I couldn’t wait to see what she’d do.

  32

  Wren

  “Vera is on her way,” I told Wilder and my father, who both nodded. “By here, I mean to the abbey.”

  There was a brief look of surprise on Wilder’s face, but otherwise he appeared undaunted. “That was quick.”

  “She was already on her way to the UK,” I explained. “My question is, how wise is it for us to meet with her here?”

  “As in the abbey itself or on the estate?” he asked.

  “Either.”

  “I see your concern. I’d be comfortable if you met at Dorchester House. If that’s what you’re asking.”

  “I am, but I want you to be a part of that meeting.”

  “Of course. After all, it is in part my fault that your identity has been compromised.”

  “It was inevitable.” I looked at my father. “Thank you, Z. Would you mind please excusing us?”

  “Certainly.” He kissed the side of my face and left the study, closing the door behind him.

  “How are you?” I asked Wilder.

  “Me?” He laughed and pulled me into his arms. “My only concern is how you are.”

  “
You said it’s partially your fault this happened, but I disagree. I don’t want you to feel as though you need to shoulder any blame. There isn’t any blame, actually.”

  “What about Sanborn and Thomason?”

  “I haven’t been fully briefed on either yet—” I stopped mid-sentence.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I didn’t sound like myself. At least the self I’ve been for the last few months. I told you earlier I’m not sure I can go back to that life.”

  “Whatever you want to do, I’ll support,” he said, cupping my face.

  “What if that means I want to go back to Texas?”

  “I’ll learn to enjoy riding Western,” he responded.

  “Just like that.”

  Wilder took my hand and led me to the sofa. “I may be setting myself up for disappointment, but how were the last few months of your life?”

  “It was nice to be in a place I thought of as home. Although, I have to admit to being bored. At least until Darrow arrived.”

  “I was given the promotion I thought I wanted more than anything. What I found out is, work isn’t life.”

  “Are you saying you’d give up MI6?”

  “If I had to choose between that and spending my life with you, then yes.”

  “Wilder, I don’t know what to say.”

  “There’s no hurry, Wren. Take however much time you need to make a decision about what you want to do.”

  “It makes me sound so selfish.”

  “I completely disagree. I’m the selfish one.”

  “What would MI6 do without you?”

  “Z made a recommendation this morning that I wholeheartedly support. He suggested that Agent Marietta should step into Thomason’s role. I intend to take that a step further and suggest she be named the next MI6 chief.”

  “Why?”

  “Thomason was my second-in-command, and someone who I trusted in blind faith. Right there are grounds for my dismissal.”

  “You’re being very hard on yourself, Wilder.”

  “I’m not so sure. I know that anyone not questioning my ability to lead, should probably be dismissed as well. In other words, Wren, my heart isn’t in it.”

  “I’m back to not knowing what to say.”

  “I can make it easy for both of us by simply saying, I love you, Wren.”

  I smiled. “I love you, Wilder.”

  Those words didn’t change my astonishment at both his willingness, seemingly with little thought, to leave MI6, as well as his self-recrimination in his role as chief.

  There was a knock at the door; Wilder opened it.

  “Am I interrupting?” asked Shiver.

  “Yes,” joked Wilder, motioning for him to come into the room.

  “It’s fine,” I added. “You’ve heard Vera is on her way here as we speak.”

  “Our intention is for Wren to meet with her at Dorchester House.”

  “Good idea only in that we have a very full house presently.”

  “Was there something specific you wanted to discuss?” asked Wilder.

  Shiver’s brows raised as did mine. I hadn’t seen much of the impatient side of Wilder except when he met me at the airport.

  “I wanted to point out that Thomason worked for Rivet for over ten years, and more importantly, he was never once mentioned to replace him as chief.”

  Evidently, Shiver knew his brother would be carrying the blame for missing the agent’s deceptions.

  “Completely irrelevant, Shiv.”

  “What’s to be done, then?” he asked, resting his hand on his brother’s shoulder.

  “Damage control,” he answered, looking at me. “Ready to head to Dorchester House?”

  Vera was at least two hours out, but I had no intention of saying so in front of Shiver. More than anything, I wanted time alone with Wilder in advance of the arrival of the woman I now considered my former boss.

  “I’ll ring later with an update.”

  Pinch was outside, standing by the car when Wilder and I came out.

  “Been a long time since we’ve seen the Jag,” he said, smirking.

  “Sod off,” responded Wilder. “Where’s Darrow?”

  Pinch ran his hand over his hair and shook his head. “Inside. We had another row.” He looked up at me as though he perhaps wanted counsel, but when it came to Darrow, I had to stay out of it.

  “Maybe we’re forcing something that shouldn’t be,” he said, sounding more as though he was talking to himself than Wilder or me.

  “I don’t know, mate.” Wilder shook his head.

  “Heard there’s a mess at MI6.”

  “Thomason.”

  “I know. I was part of the team investigating him.”

  Wilder’s head shot up. “You didn’t think to inform me?”

  Pinch shook his head. “Couldn’t. Orders.”

  “Let’s go,” said Wilder, ignoring Pinch’s response. He opened my door and came right around to get in the driver’s side of the car. Neither man said anything else.

  Wilder didn’t say a word on the way to Dorchester House either. Once he’d closed the front door behind us, he pulled me into his arms.

  “Pinch was only doing his job.”

  I knew I had no business getting into the middle of the two men who had been friends most of their lives, but I felt compelled to defend Pinch. I’d been in the same position a number of times and resented being questioned about my loyalty when all I’d been doing is launching an investigation into someone who threatened to bring down part or all of my team.

  “If truth be told, I’m embarrassed more than anything.”

  “Rivet is the one who should be embarrassed.”

  “I can’t imagine you casting the same shade on Vera if this were happening inside of NGA.”

  “You’re right.”

  “We’re a pair, although I prefer the word team.”

  “I’ll just freshen up before Vera gets here. If that’s okay.”

  “Of course. I’ll bring your bag up.”

  “I can get it, Wilder. There’s next to nothing in it.”

  He put his hand on the back of my neck. “Allow me to be gallant, woman. My ego is sorely bruised at the moment.”

  He motioned for me to precede him when we got upstairs, but stopped me before I could turn into the room where I’d slept when I was here last. Instead, he led me down the hall.

  His bedroom was what I’d expected based on the decor of the rest of the house. In contrast, it was the opposite style of his flat at Sky Gardens.

  The head and footboard were made of dark-brown tufted leather. The bed itself was topped by an also dark comforter that was a Moroccan pattern of black and brown.

  There was a gray chest at the foot of the bed and a divan made of the same color leather that sat in an angle near the fireplace. Two mahogany tables sat on either side of the bed, with gray lampshades that matched the divan and chest.

  I would describe it as the quintessential bedroom for an English gentleman.

  “As always, I’d love to know what your analytical mind is pondering.”

  I laughed. “Nothing really other than how much this room suits you.”

  When I came out of the bathroom, Wilder was lying on the bed with both hands behind his head.

  “Come join me,” he said, holding one hand out.

  “I thought maybe you’d join me in the shower.”

  “I feel as though I haven’t given you a moment’s peace. Even now.”

  I snuggled into him and put my head above his heart. “I like it.”

  “When you hear what I’m about to propose, you may want to reflect on exactly how much time you think you can bear being around me.”

  I raised my head. “Wilder, I—”

  “Hear me out, and know this, if I was about to propose something like marriage or even moving in together, you’d be right to turn me down flat based on lack of inspiration alone.”

  “What are you proposing?”

>   “What would you think about starting our own consulting business?”

  I didn’t answer right away, because I usually didn’t. I preferred to give questions the consideration they were due based on their weight. In this case, it was heavy indeed. However, it was something I’d already considered—the consultant part at least. Partnering with Wilder hadn’t been a consideration since I’d never dreamed he’d leave MI6.

  “I like the idea.”

  “You do?” he asked, as though he was prepared for me to immediately reject the notion.

  “Yes, and full disclosure, I’d considered a similar idea as means for me to be able to spend more time in London.”

  I smiled when he did. “You look entirely too pleased with yourself at the moment. Yes, Wilder, I did just admit to figuring out a way to stay here.”

  “What do you think of a partnership?”

  “Again, to be honest, I think it’s premature for you to be handing in your resignation.”

  “What if I can’t imagine living that life anymore either?”

  “I’ll respect whatever you ultimately decide to do, in the same way you have already committed to supporting me. I’ve been away from the NGA for several months, which has given me a great deal more time to think about it.” I startled at a loud noise coming from downstairs.

  “That’s the gate alert,” he said. “Vera must have arrived.”

  I checked the time. “She’s quite early.”

  “Let’s see, shall we?”

  Wilder got up and went downstairs, coming back up just as I finished dressing.

  “She’s pulling in now.”

  I raised a brow. “Did she fly here?”

  Wilder laughed. “Actually, yes. She took a heli.” Wilder pulled me into his arms. “Are you getting tired of me always having my hands on you?”

  “Never.”

  He put both hands on my bottom and lifted me until my legs wrapped around his waist. “This is just to remind you what’s coming after Vera leaves.” He brought his lips to mine and kissed me hard.

  I’d never get tired of kissing him either.

  He angled his head, deepening our kiss, and then walked out of the bedroom, down the hallway, and to the stairs with me still in his arms.