"No. It's a bonus. And to be honest, I had nothing to do with making it happen. But I'm taking partial credit just the same."
I frowned at Nicky in the mirror. "Now I'm really stumped."
"That's how surprises work, Ky. I know something, and you don't. Finish up and put on some clothes so that both of us can be in the know."
"All right, all right." I screwed the mascara top back into place. "Where's Alice? She's not pestering anyone, is she?"
My husband hesitated enough to make me suspicious before he answered. "No. Penny's with her."
"Oh. Okay. I'll just be a minute." I shrugged off my robe and reached for me dress, sliding Nicky a sideways glance as I did. "Are you just going to stand there like a big old creeper?"
Grinning lasciviously, he spread his hands in front of him. "If there's another option, feel free to let me know. But while I don't consider myself a big old anything, and especially not a creeper, neither will I abstain from ogling my beautiful wife any time she has her clothes off."
I shook my head. "Good to know the flame hasn't died down, sweetheart. Also, you always say the nicest things." I tugged the deep green dress over my head and presented my back to Nicky. "Zip, please."
Once he had me zipped up—and had copped a not-so-subtle feel as well—I stepped into my shoes and ran my fingers through my hair, fluffing it out. "Okay, I think I'm suited up for the day. I assume that this surprise isn't going to interfere with lunch? I'm famished."
"Oh, this surprise will only make lunch better," Nicky promised. "Come on."
I followed him down the hallway. "Have you seen Bria and Rhys this morning?"
"Ah, I did have coffee with my cousin this morning. Your sister was sleeping in a bit and then catching up with work." He quirked an eyebrow. "You Duncan women truly are non-stop."
"When it comes to Honey Bee, we do embrace a certain passion," I admitted. "Fruit doesn't stop growing because it's a holiday. Bria is the most invested of us all. It doesn't surprise me at all that she'd be checking in." I nudged him as we turned into the sitting room. "You knew what you were getting into when you married me."
"She's not wrong, Nicholas." The deep voice, tinged with amusement, was familiar, and my heart jumped as I recognized Milo, the Earl of Ross, another cousin of my husband—this time from the royal side of the family.
And if Milo was here, then—
"Brynn!" I stretched out my arms to our former nanny who in fact had been an undercover bodyguard, largely responsible for saving the lives of my daughter and husband. After that terrifying month, Brynn had taken a full-time role with MI5. That had come about through Milo, who very few in the family knew also worked for the agency. He had the perfect cover: as a second cousin of the Queen, the only child of aristocratic parents who had raised him in the manner of a generation long passed, he had immediate entree to circles that were closed to most.
The fact that Milo and Brynn were also romantically involved was not a secret; if some of Milo's fellow lords raised their eyebrows at his choice of lover, they certainly didn't do it in his presence.
"I'm so glad to see you, Your Grace." Brynn executed a brief curtsey, her eyes twinkling as we both knew that I didn't need that sort of greeting. But she'd learned to be part of the system so that she could do her work without upsetting the status quo.
I opened my arms, hugging Brynn. "I was worried about you."
"I'm sorry about that." Brynn squeezed my hand. "I thought I was going to be able to be here with Milo for the holidays, but I wasn't positive until last week—and at that point, we decided to surprise you. Only Her Majesty knew that we were coming."
"And she is excellent at keeping secrets," I laughed. "Well, this is the loveliest Christmas surprise. Have you seen Alice?"
"I popped into the nursery and said hello to her a few minutes ago." Brynn gave me wide eyes. "She's grown so much since this summer! I told her that she's practically a young lady now."
"I'm sure she was delighted to see you again. She talks about you all the time, still." I slid my gaze to the tall, dark and broody earl standing next to my friend. "Are you both . . . well?"
Milo scowled. "We are, but one of us is less interested in making sure that she remains that way—well, I mean. Whole and safe and sound."
"Dude, not now." Brynn cast me a meaningful glance. "He's pissed at me, if you couldn't tell."
"This sounds like a conversation that should happen over lunch . . . which is about to be served." Nicky pressed a hand to the small of my back. "Why don't we adjourn to the dining room, and you can tell us all about it?"
"It's an amazing opportunity for me." Brynn stabbed at the boiled potato on her plate. "And a perfect fit as far as assignments go. I can't say more than that, but I've explained all of this to Milo, and he just won't trust me."
"That's an interesting spin on the situation." The Earl picked up his snowy white linen napkin and dabbed at his lips. "Interesting as it takes into account only one very narrow point of view, that is."
Brynn held up her hand, counting off her fingers. "First, you told me that it was too dangerous, and I shouldn't do it at all. And then next, you've turned me—and yourself—inside out to prove that you're right about the assignment. You've told me that I don't understand the risks involved. And finally, you said this morning that if I loved you, I would turn it down."
Milo's face reddened. "I don't think that's an accurate account at all."
