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LADY ALICE WAS MAKING polite conversation with her dinner partner, Lord Sutherland, silently cursing Viscount Carlisle for taking Pembroke away just when she had the chance to question him. Taking another spoonful of her turtle soup, she noticed a footman handing her father a folded note. He read it, his eyes traveling down the table to meet hers before he leaned over and whispered something to her mother and excused himself. Had he been informed of the incident with the gunman on the terrace? If so, she needed to report to him what had happened.
“If you’ll excuse me for just a moment,” she said to Lord Sutherland, who’d been seated to her right.
Lord Sutherland rose with her, holding his cloth napkin in his hand. “I hope all is well, my lady.”
“Quite well, thank you. I’ll return momentarily,” she assured him. Hurrying away from the dining room, she walked quickly down the hall to her father’s study. With a brief knock, she entered. “Papa, I saw you receive a note. I must tell you . . .”
Her voice trailed off when she realized her father was not alone. Lord Wolverton’s eyes fastened on hers, and she couldn’t look away for a moment. He must have been a remarkable leader during the war, making his men think he could see into their souls.
Her father cleared his throat. “Lord Wolverton was just telling me how you chased a gunman in the garden this evening.” His expression didn’t change, the duke merely gave her a questioning glance. “Is that what you were coming to tell me?”
“That’s not entirely what happened,” she said, annoyed that Wolverton had gotten to her father first. “He shot in our general direction, and I wanted to know why. I was merely going to ask him a few questions.”
Lord Wolverton snorted. “You make it sound as if you were about to invite him for afternoon tea. He shot at you. You could have received a second chance to end your life had you gotten any closer.”
Alice shook her head. “He had a single-shot flintlock pistol, if I’m not mistaken. There wasn’t any danger.”
Wolverton took a step toward her. “He could have had another gun or an accomplice. Any number of things could have happened to you,” he bit out. “It was reckless of you to go after him.”
Alice pushed back the anger that rushed over her. She had to present a calm demeanor, as if he was merely discussing the weather. “I assure you, I did not require your assistance then or your opinion now.” She moved toward her father’s desk. “I don’t take unnecessary risks.”
Her father inclined his head, his shrewd eyes moving between her and Wolverton. “I’m sure with Thomas’s death, everyone is a little on edge. And with the information Lord Wolverton has imparted to me this evening, I’m inclined to believe that tonight’s incident may be connected to Thomas’s murder.”
Wolverton’s jaw clenched, and he took a step forward. “Your Grace, that information is confidential.”
“Yes, it is. Lady Alice has already been following leads and gathering information and she needs to hear what you've come to say.” His gaze fell on his daughter. “Lady Alice, I’m sure you’ve been introduced to the Marquess of Wolverton, but we in the Falcon group know him as Wolf.”
Wolf. For a moment she could only stare at the man. His reputation preceded him. Commander of men. Charmer of women. Legendary tracker. It was said he could find any quarry, even blindfolded on a moonless night. He was one of the most decorated agents in all of Britain. Alice had heard plenty of stories of his bravery and abilities to escape even the most slippery of situations. Impressed, but not wanting to show it, she merely dipped her head in acknowledgment.
Lord Wolverton stood very still, as if he couldn’t process the duke’s words. “Your daughter is part of the Falcon group?” he said slowly. “Your only daughter?”
“No one knows of her role, and with my own position kept under strict orders of secrecy, she’s safe. And frankly, she’s one of our best intelligence gatherers,” the duke said without preamble. “Alice is especially talented with blades and getting information from those who are reluctant to talk. We need her skills.”
“But if someone had reason to suspect her and put her name on that list, they could have been shooting at her.” Christian looked at the duke. “We must look at every angle. Why did they choose your home for the attack and a time when your daughter was out in the garden? Could your identities have been compromised?”
“I suppose it’s possible, but the number of people that know of my involvement can be counted on one hand.” The duke sat down in the chair behind his desk and motioned for Christian and Alice to take the chairs opposite.
“Can someone explain to me what exactly is going on?” Alice asked, looking at her father. “How would our identities relate to Thomas’s murder?”
“Wolf has received intelligence that a peer of the realm will be in Kent to exchange a list of names of British intelligence officers for a fat purse from the French. Thomas’s death was merely to provide proof that the traitor knows each member of the Falcon Group from the lowest messenger to the highest peer.”
“Your Grace.” Christian looked her father in the eye. “As the head of Falcon Group and with a daughter who is involved, you and your family are in danger, I’d like to suggest retiring to your country home immediately, using several agents as footmen or stable hands to strengthen your security until we can apprehend the traitor.”
“Yes, I agree, we should leave at once, but not so I can hide. Our country seat, Langdon Park, is in Kent, and we are planning our annual house party. This is the perfect opportunity to invite any nobleman who might have access to that list of agents and keep a close watch on them.” He paused. “Our final ball of the party is always a masquerade. I can’t help but think since the traitor is part of the nobility, he’ll see that as a chance to stay anonymous while he sells that list and signs a death warrant for our agents.”
“But will he dare risk committing treason in the house of a spymaster? He will know your position if he’s read that list himself.” Christian glanced at Alice. “And it also puts your family in close proximity to someone who isn’t averse to killing.”
“My family will be well protected, I assure you. If we remove to our country seat tomorrow, no one will question the timing as the house party is scheduled to begin a few days hence. That will give us time to strategize.” The duke steepled his fingers and sighed. “When I helped a few French nobles escape the Terror, I never dreamed that it would turn into a double life of service to the Crown. But I don’t regret it. And the few trusted men who know the names of those in service will be thoroughly investigated. A traitor among us is unacceptable. I’ll do everything in my power to find them and their French buyer and make sure they are punished.” His voice was hard, in a way Alice had never heard before, but it added emphasis to his words.
“Your Grace, the traitor likely knows that you and your daughter are on that list. Having a murderer in your household is quite risky and might not be the best course―” Lord Wolverton started to protest, but the duke stood and cut him off.
“There is much to do. For right now, however, if you would kindly escort my daughter back to the festivities, that would be most helpful. I’m sure her mother would appreciate her presence in helping with her hostess duties.”
“Papa, I’d rather stay here and discuss the details.” Alice gave him a speaking glance, but he didn’t acknowledge it.
“I’ll join you shortly.” He came around the desk to kiss her cheek. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk later, my dear. You and Wolf will need to compare what intelligence you’ve gathered already. Between the two of you, perhaps we can apprehend the traitor before the list is in play.”
Alice’s stomach sank. She didn’t want to work with Lord Wolverton, but from the look on her father’s face, he would not be dissuaded, so she capitulated. “Yes, Papa.” Taking Christian’s arm, she faced the door. “Thank you for your kind escort, my lord.”
Christian opened the door and led her from the room. Many of the guests had already left the dining room and were filing into the ballroom, where the musicians were beginning to tune. Had they been gone so long? They must have. He stopped near the entry doors and turned to face her.
“It appears we’re going to be working together,” he said, keeping his voice low. “We’ll have to learn to trust each other for a partnership to work.”
She looked up at him, his gaze steady as he waited for her reply. He was in earnest, there was no doubt about that. “Yes, though I think that might be more difficult for one of us.”
He’d seemed so shocked that she worked for the Falcon group. Alice had met several men that didn’t feel intelligence work was suitable for women. Was Lord Wolverton one of them? That was likely, but a small part of her was disappointed. Just once, she’d like to have a man see her contributions instead of focusing on her gender.
A few matrons stood on the far side of the dance floor, and Alice spotted her mother in the middle of the group. “Thank you for your escort. My mother is just there, so your obligation is fulfilled.” And she was anxious to be rid of him. She needed to do a little more investigating on her own before she was saddled with Lord Wolverton as a partner.
Christian gently took her elbow. “Your father asked me to see you to your mother. I mean to do just that.” He pulled her arm through his and slowly strolled across the room.
Alice forced a polite smile to her face. “As you wish, my lord.”
When she finally reached her mother’s side, she could see the anxiety in the duchess’s eyes, which she was trying to hide. Alice touched her mother’s arm and drew her slightly away from the group. “All is well, Mama,” she said quietly. “Perhaps you should sit down? You look a little flushed.”
“She’s right, Your Grace. Allow me to fetch you a drink.” Christian bowed slightly and strode away toward the refreshment table.
Alice watched him go for a moment, grateful that he wasn’t hovering over her and was being helpful instead. Turning, she focused on her mother. “Father informed me that we’re to go to Langdon Park tomorrow to get ready for the house party.”
Her mother took out her fan and flipped it open. “If he thinks that’s best. The extra time for preparation might be just the thing. Your father always invites a few more guests than I anticipate, but I can’t begrudge him. He so rarely takes leisure time, and the hunting is good this year.”
Christian returned just in time to hear the last part of her mother’s statement. “My father once told me that the hunting at your country home is second to none, your Grace.”
“My husband would agree.” The duchess took the proffered drink from Christian. “I believe my husband is well-acquainted with your father. I was sorry to hear of the death of your brother and your father’s ill health.”
“Thank you.” He coughed slightly into his hand. “After being away for so long overseas, I’ve been busy helping care for my father and see to estate affairs and haven’t accepted as many invitations as I would have liked. Is it too late for me to accept for the house party?”
Alice started. Had he truly been invited already? And, if so, why hadn’t she been informed?
“We’d be delighted to have you. I’m sure my husband would enjoy renewing his acquaintance with your family.” The duchess snapped her fan closed. “Alice, I shall have to ask you say my farewells to our guests, I’m afraid. I must excuse myself. There is much to do before we leave.”
Christian bowed as the duchess swept past, her skirts swishing across the floor. Alice started to follow her, but stopped and turned to him. “For a man who is known for being mostly in seclusion, you have quite clearly stepped out of the convenience of that reputation by accepting the invitation to tonight’s ball and to our house party.”
“As your mother said, we will merely be renewing an old family acquaintance.” He quirked an eyebrow. “And it would be hard to partner with you if we aren’t in close proximity to each other. I admit, I’m looking forward to it.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his low voice and daring glance. Did he mean he was looking forward to partnering with her, or to being at the house party? Blast. She needed to double her defenses when he was near. They seemed rather thin in his company. “Of course, my lord.” She curtsied. “I will be happy to receive you there.”
Christian stepped closer, a glint in his eye. “Why do I have the feeling that you are telling a polite falsehood, Lady Alice?”
She arched her brows and gave him her best society smile. “Because you are a very astute man.” Turning to leave, she felt his eyes on her as she walked away, his quiet laugh following her across the ballroom.
Her grin widened at the sound, but she quickly sobered. With the news that the agents of the Falcon group were in very real danger, they had only a small window of time to find out who was giving their names to the country’s enemies. If her father had a plan to capture the traitor at the house party, she would do all she could to help. Of course, Lord Wolverton being a partner in the investigation could make it infinitely more complicated.
But she was looking forward to the challenge.
