Nerves assailed her stomach as she recalled the size of her audience this evening. She inhaled deeply and released it in a slow, measured breath, the fluttering in her stomach abating slightly. She was an actress, for heaven’s sake, she had acted for hundreds at a time. Performing one of her “private” routines for a handful of high society ladies and gentlemen, with mistresses and paramours abound, should not shake her confidence.
But it did.
While doing a performance fell in perfectly with their plans, Mary’s dances were designed for an audience of one.
With a shake of her head, she forced her mind from the subject and focused on her bath. Just after they had concluded supper, a group of footmen had placed the copper bathing tub behind the privacy screen in the corner of their guest bedchamber, then group after group of footmen in their sunshine yellow livery had brought in pails of steaming water to fill it. Mary fancied they held a likeness to a flock of pretty golden birds.
Gabriel remained belowstairs with the others while they lounged about playing cards or submerged themselves in sin while waiting for the performance.
Once—if—Gabe and Mary completed one aspect of their assignment this evening by finding and removing the documents from the traitors, then they would have to take their leave and return to London. And as much as Mary wished to leave this house of traitors, it would also mean that Gabriel and Mary must go their separate ways once more. Of course, the assignment would not yet be complete, as they would still not know the identity of each traitor, but Mary doubted that Hydra would keep both Gabe and Mary involved with the case. It was too dangerous to their own identities.
Which would mean that this was the end of Miss Mary White and Mr. Anthony Spencer.
Sadness touched her heart and she reached her hands up through the water to place them upon her chest.Such a foolish girl. Stop this nonsense.
Theclickof her bedchamber door opening caused her to jump, the water splashing on the floor around her.
“Hello? Who is there?” Mary concealed her breasts with one arm, crossed her legs, and covered the juncture of her thighs with her other hand in one awkward motion.
“It is I, Lady Kerr.” The swishing of satin skirts and soft footfalls could be heard from beyond the privacy screen.
How rude of her to enter without first seeking permission to do so. “What may I do for you, my lady?”
“I just came for a little visit, dearie,” Lady Kerr drawled.
“I am engaged at present, but if you would return in a quarter of an hour, I would be most happy to receive you.”
“No.”
The lady herself appeared from behind the screen and, to her shame, Mary squeaked.
“My lady!”
Lady Kerr turned her shrewd gaze on Mary. “Do not become prudish now, Miss White, we all know you are not pure.”
Granted, Mary was playing the part of theexperiencedMiss White, but that did not give Lady Kerr the authority to enter unannounced. Yes, Miss White was supposed to be used to others seeing her nude, but MissWrightwas not. Never had anyone seen her fully nude, but for her Mama when she was an infant.
Lady Kerr was crossing the lines of propriety and she knew it.
“I have come to speak with you.”
No, you have come to catch me unguarded and at a disadvantage.If the woman meant to attack and believed Mary to be unprepared, she would discover herself to be sadly mistaken. Mary was highly trained in self-defence, as Hydra ensured all female operatives were thoroughly taught in the art of hand-to-hand resistance and incapacitation.
“I await with bated breath, Lady Kerr.”
The woman’s black eyes narrowed briefly before she masked her displeasure. “You appear to be veryadmiredby the gentlemen in residence.”
Mary did not respond, for it would serve no purpose. Lady Kerr had a reason behind intruding on her bath, rendering Mary unable to stand, and Mary was determined to learn what that was.
“In fact,” Lady Kerr continued, “you seem to be admired by gentlemen everywhere. Quitede rigueur.”
Mary forced her spine to ease. “La! Me,de rigueur? Men admire women of all forms, my lady. I am but one of many.”
“Why did you come to this house party, Miss White?”
Ah, a pointed question, then. Mary feigned being taken aback. “I was invited, your ladyship.”
Her bath water had begun to cool, the lower temperature sending goose flesh over her skin.
