The expression on Gabe’s face told Mary differently. Evidently, he was willing to push past his pain in order to take this assignment. He likely only wished to keep her away from “sin” and save his pride. She shook her head. How demeaning that he should believe that he would act as her governess.
Mary straightened her shoulders. If Hydra deemed it necessary for Gabe to accompany her on this assignment, then she would prove to Gabe that she didnotrequire his protection and that shewasas capable an agent for the Crown as he.
“Very well,” she said, her eyes shooting daggers at Gabriel and determination stiffening her spine.
Hydra clapped his hands together with one loudcrack, seemingly at his ease with her displeasure. “Brilliant. Shall we begin?”
With the dossiers still in Mary’s hand, she resumed her seat, adjusting her dressing robe over her knees. She watched as Gabe accepted his own set of dossiers from Hydra and both men sat.
“Let us start from the beginning.” Hydra leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands joined between them. “Recently, some rather important intelligence documents have been purloined from our operatives, several of whom protected the documents with their lives.”
Mary looked through her own paperwork as Hydra spoke.
“The documents contain code keys,” he continued, “battle maps, and war strategies. We knowwhyandwhenthey were taken, but we do not yet know whotook them, where they have hidden them, or to whom they will pass the information along. There are three suspects attending the house party at Kerr House. Viscount Kerr,” he listed them off on his fingers, “the Earl of Reddington, and the Marquess of Hale. I have Stevens already stationed as a footman in Hale’s household, but keep an eye on Hale as well, if you will.” He frowned. “Though I suppose I should call himSirStevens as he’s been knighted, but for our purposes, he’s still simply Stevens.”
Thoughts and plans began to turn themselves over in Mary’s mind. She had already begun a rapport with Reddington. It would, therefore, be simple enough to extract information from him. It would require more work, however, to glean information from the others, as she would need to gain their trust…or at the very least remove herself as a potential threat in their mind.
“Mary, you will keep your stage pseudonym of Miss Mary White. Gabriel, you will attend as Mr. Anthony Spencer, English wastrel, rogue, inveterate gambler, and youngest son of Sir Peter Spencer. Mary is your mistress. You will use any and every opportunity to search safe boxes for hidden documents, glean any information you can from servants or the attendees themselves, and uncover any additional supporters or cohorts of Bonaparte.”
“Aye,” Gabe grunted.
Mary nodded. “Of course, sir.”
“Mrs. McPhee is creating costumes for Mary to wear and will do tailoring for Gabe’s wardrobe. When she re-enters, have her measure you both. I have already given her direction on what the costumes shall be.” He clapped his hands on his knees. “Any other information is available to you in your dossiers. Do you have any questions?”
“No, sir,” they said in unison.
Mary slid a sideways glance toward Gabe. The man made her furious, but she could not help admiring him. He was everything practical; not a stitch of lace on his cuff, his brown, curling hair cut appropriately short. And his clothes… My, but his clothes fit him like a second skin, fitted perfectly to his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and, she was ashamed to have noticed, his perfectly sculpted bottom. All over, he was trim yet muscular.
She had seen plenty of men beneath their clothes, but she would wager that none of them compared to him.
Stop it, you ninny!She shook herself. How could she think such indecent thoughts about a man as hard-hearted as he? Why, only minutes ago he insulted her terribly. Indeed, she should hate him. Shedidhate him.
Her spine stiffened, along with her resolve. By the end of the house party, Gabe would be forced to recognize his folly and apologize for his continuous discourtesy toward her. Mary was going to take charge of this assignment and show Gabe how capable she truly was.
