He tensed as she knelt on the floor in front of him but he didn't push her away. Reaching down, she caught the hem of his nightshirt, shoved it up over his legs. They were strong legs, nicely muscled. He was already hard, she saw, anticipating what she meant to do. She reached down and cupped his sex, pleased at how quickly he had responded.

"You can't be in here," he said, but the protest was weak. She caressed him, cupped him, took him into her mouth, and a few minutes later heard him groan.

She thought that afterward he would invite her into his bed, that he would make love to her, even if the loving would be brief, but it was not to be.

"You have to leave. Now. Before someone sees you. Never come to me again. Not here. If you have information, send word and I'll meet you at the inn."

Anger trickled through her. She didn't deserve to be treated this way. " 'Ow much longer? I am tired of hiding what I feel for you. You said you would take me away from here. You promised."

He caught her shoulders, squeezed until it hurt. "Listen to me. You will do as I say, do you understand me?" His hold gentled, turned into a caress. "It won't be that much longer. As soon as this is over, we'll go away together. I'll buy you a house, something expensive, a place in the country—perhaps another one in the city. I'll dress you in beautiful gowns, buy you jewelry. You'll have everything you ever wanted."

"All I want is you."

He bent his head and kissed her and the anger slowly faded.

"Do as I tell you," he said more gently. "Find out what you can. Leave word in the usual place and I'll meet you at the inn. Now be a good girl and go back to your bed. And be careful when you leave. Make sure no one sees you."

She didn't want to go. She wanted to climb up on the deep feather mattress and have him make love to her. But she had displeased him enough by coming to his room.

"Au revoir, mon coeur," she said. She left him there in the bedchamber and started toward her quarters on the floor above. One day soon, she would have the information he wanted. Then they could leave the country, go somewhere together. She smiled as she slipped back inside her room and closed the door, her head filled with pleasant dreams.






16


« ^ »


Lee awakened early the following morning. She had work to do. Dressing in a simple skirt and blouse, she made her way out to the stable, spoke to Arlie, then talked to Jacob about plans for an upcoming race. Noir was ready, Jacob said, then went on and on about Caleb, praising him for the work he had done with the horses.

"There's a one-day race in Donneymead," she said. "That is only a few hours' walk from here. Take Noir and a couple of the younger horses. It will help get them ready for the meet at St. Leger."

"Aye, Miss. I'll see it done."

She left the older man and headed back toward the house, pausing as she passed by one of the stalls. Muffin was feeding her kittens, all of which appeared to be healthy and growing by leaps and bounds. Lee stroked the yellow cat's fur and left them, thinking of Caleb and the night the kittens had been born. She would have liked to take Grand Coeur for a ride, but Gabriella had planned a lavish picnic down by the stream and she didn't want to disappoint her.

By the time she returned to the house and Jeannie helped her into a gauzy white muslin gown and tucked her hair up beneath a wide-brimmed straw bonnet decorated with artificial roses, the group was assembled at the bottom of the stairs.

"All right, everyone." Gabriella clapped her hands and smiled like a little girl. "There are carriages waiting out front. It isn't that far. Those of you who prefer to walk may come with me."

Lee glanced around, searching for Caleb, but he wasn't anywhere in sight. Not everyone was in attendance. Some were still abed, others merely not inclined to a day in the sun. Lord Andrew was among those remaining behind, she noticed, as was Juliette Beauvoir.

Lee tried not to wonder what Caleb planned to do for the day, whether he might be bold enough to snoop through some of the guests' bedchambers or if he might be interested in whiling away the hours with the lovely Juliette. Lee swiftly buried the thought. She didn't have time for jealousy, though she was coming to dislike the conniving young woman in the extreme. She needed to continue her efforts to gain information and the picnic would perfectly suit.

As Gabriella had promised, it didn't take long to reach the grassy meadow. Walking next to Elizabeth Sorenson, they chatted pleasantly along the way, though Elizabeth seemed strangely quiet today.

"Come, darlings—join the party. Have a glass of champagne or perhaps some ratafia." Aunt Gabby stepped between the two women, linked arms with them, and led them toward linen-draped tables that had been arranged for the occasion. There were benches and chairs enough for all and each table was spread with fine porcelain plates and gleaming silver and crystal. Not exactly Lee's idea of a picnic, but the guests seemed excited about it.

A few feet away, another row of tables overflowed with food: roast partridge and pickled salmon, oysters in anchovy sauce, venison and mutton pasties, cold meats, jellies, candied fruits, and custards, and wine, of course, to accompany the meal. It was a lavish spread and guests lined up, plates in hand, ready to indulge themselves.

It was sometime later that Lee was finally able to escape her aunt and begin interviewing the guests, having earlier that morning mentally listed which of them might know something important, something that would help the French.

Sir Peter Peasley was a frequent visitor to Parklands and a close friend of Colin Streatham, who worked for the Secretary of State. He might be privy to inside information. Lisette Moreau was French and also often a visitor. Would Sir Peter tell her military secrets in order to please her? And even if he did, what role did Parklands play?

Caleb believed someone in the house might be involved in conveying the information. Another of the guests? One of the servants? Perhaps the house was simply a meeting place where information was exchanged before being passed on to the enemy.

She surveyed the group clustered on blankets beneath the trees or still seated at the tables. Charles Sorenson was a high-ranking member of the House of Lords. What might he know? Claymont was a man of equally high position, though she refused to believe the earl might be involved. She knew the earl, Dylan Sommers, had known him for years. He was the most trustworthy man she had ever met. He simply wasn't capable of that kind of deceit.

And there was Wingate, of course. The colonel was a high-ranking officer of the Life Guards, reporting directly to General Ulysses Stevens. He might have access to a great deal of valuable information. Even Lord Nash, advisor to the Chancellor, would have access to important documents and the like.

Lee sighed as she watched the people beneath the trees and thought how impossible a task it would be to ferret out the traitor.

Assuming there really was a traitor.

Assuming that person was actually there at Parklands.

"You look as if you are pondering the fate of the world." Major Sutton stood beside her, gold buttons gleaming, curly black hair ruffled by the breeze.

"Perhaps I am."

"I can think of something much more fun. Perhaps I could persuade you to walk with me. Yesterday I stumbled upon a wonderful old ruin… part of a medieval abbey, I believe. I'm sure you've seen it. Perhaps you would join me in exploring the place." He took her arm, started leading her away from the group toward a path that began at the edge of the trees.

She looked back over her shoulder, but her feet kept moving as he firmly led her away. "I-I think I had better go back and join the others. My aunt will be—"

"What's the matter?" One black eyebrow went up. "You're not afraid, are you? Tell me you wouldn't rather take a walk through the woods than sit round listening to a bunch of old fools gossip."

"Well, I—"

"Actually, the lady was looking for me." The voice sounded familiar, but when she turned, it wasn't Caleb. Lucas Tanner strode toward her, a hard look on his face. Fortunately, the warning in his intense blue eyes was not directed at her.

Major Sutton seemed not to notice. "Is that right, Miss Durant?" He must have recognized the lie for what it was, but Luc's look of warning had put her on alert.

"Yes, actually, I was." She stepped away from the major, reached over and took Luc's arm. "I didn't see you earlier. Have you eaten, my lord?"

"Yes, but I believe I could use something to drink. If you'll excuse us, Major… ?"

Sutton made a brief bow and a look passed between the two men. Lee let Lucas guide her back toward the others, stopping just out of earshot.

"Sutton has a reputation, love. When it comes to women, it isn't a good one."

"I believe you have a similar reputation, my lord."

His mouth edged up. "Perhaps that is so, but I've never forced a woman to do anything she didn't want to do."

Lee frowned, not liking the thought. "If that is the sort of man the major is, I appreciate your timely rescue."

"I was merely acting in my brother's stead. He seems to be quite protective of you."

"From what I know of Caleb… Captain Tanner, he is simply a protective sort of man."

"Perhaps. You should know, in that same way, I am equally protective of him. He's my brother, Vermillion. I don't want to see him hurt."

Her eyes widened. "How could I possibly hurt your brother?"

"I'm not entirely sure. Just make certain that you do not."

She might have argued, told him that what happened between her and Caleb was none of his concern, but there was something about Lucas Tanner that commanded people to do his bidding. It was a trait that seemed to run in the family. Or perhaps it was the glint in those hard blue eyes that promised retribution if she didn't heed his words.