Turning, she watched her mother walk stiffly toward her, her curls bouncing.
“How do you expect us to make a favourable impression if you do not give us advance notice that we will have a duke join us for our evening meal? Aduke, Maria!” She turned her face up to the ceiling and placed her hands upon her chest. “Oh, what he must think of us!Braised pigeon and potato bloody pie?” Her eyes fairly bulged as the volume of her voice rose. “And who shall become chaperone for your dear cousin and companion to your aunt? Whatever shall I say to them?”
Maria frowned, her heart pinching. “Were you hoping that I would not find a match? That I would be forced to?—”
“Do not say such nasty things,” her mother hissed.
“I’m merely stating my observations.”
“Hssst! Watch your tongue, girl! I’ll not have such insolence in my home.”
As though popping a bubble, the fight fled Maria. It had been a trying day, and all at once, she desired the comfort of her bed.
“Please excuse me, Mama. I have the headache and wish to go to bed.”
Abruptly, the scorn in her mother’s eyes turned to malevolent delight. “I would advise you to get your beauty rest, but we all know that would prove fruitless. You’re too much like your father’s dreadful relations. But best keep up appearances if you wish to garnersomeattention this season. Lord knows the duke will likely jilt you before you reach your wedding day.”
With a nod, Maria turned away from her mother. Fatigue and discomfort slowed her steps as she made her way to her bedchamber. Abruptly, the frock she’d donned no longer felt correct, her chemise and petticoatswrongagainst her skin. Would that she had some of her men’s attire at home in which to sleep.
She expanded her lungs as far as her corset would allow and blew the breath out in awhoosh.
Tomorrow would dawn another long day, which included her first shift in Jasper’s home. She had a task to accomplish. And…part of her hoped that he would find the opportunity to kiss her again. Warmth flooded her belly at the thought.
Have a care, Maria, she cautioned herself. She must remember to guard herself from the man’s palpable charms, no matter how delicious his kisses.
Moving slowly through her bath and her ablutions, Maria allowed her mind to wander. Biddable, Jasper was not, butbeddable… How long would their kisses have lasted had he not pulled away? Little prickles of delight warmed her from within. She ought to have run her hands through his hair.Is it as smooth as it appears?
Her bed had been turned down, the bedclothes crisp and cool against her flushed skin. She wanted nothing more than to return to Jasper’s arms and lock her lips with his, their tongues entangled and her body pressed against his hardness…and that was precisely why she mustn’t ruminate on it for one moment more. She was on assignment now and had an important task at hand.
But although her determination was firmly in place, her last thought before she fell asleep was of the sweet taste of fruits upon Jasper’s tongue.
* * *
“Grace!”Harriet exclaimed breathlessly as she darted into the training room, nervously toying with the ties of her evening cloak.
Grace put up a hand to halt her gentle sparring instructions with Juliana. “Harriet? Whatever is the matter?”
The young recruit gulped air and gestured wildly with her hands as she drew near. “My client’s estranged husband has followed our trail as far as the Swallow and Cross Inn. I cannot possibly risk her safety by continuing on with our plan—most particularly as the evening grows darker. We must have an alternate course.”
“I see,” Grace returned, her nerves calm and her mind racing with possibilities. “Fetch Isadora and return to your client’s side; she mustn’t be left alone from now on. Take the road north toward Leeds and ask for ‘Black Bear’ at the Goat’s Horn Tavern. I’ll send word to an acquaintance in Brampton who can arrange shelter for the three of you there. Additional funds are on my desk in a satchel with an embroideredL. Send word once you arrive.”
Harriet huffed a grateful sigh and dipped in a shallow curtsey. “Thank you, Grace.”
Grace nodded, and the woman dashed from the room.
“You’ve begun something wonderful here, Grace,” Juliana remarked, resuming her position on the sparring mat. “I’m proud to be a runner for you.”
Emotion swelled in Grace’s chest, and she smiled, glancing around the room. Their sparring dummies were naught but burlap jute and hay surrounding a wood structure, and their wall of weaponry was sparse, but she had done a great deal with the space and was proud of the progress.
“Thank you, Juliana. There is much yet to accomplish before we will be in smooth working order, but I’m so pleased that even our smallest cases are impacting women’s lives positively.”
“Certainly.” Juliana eyed her sympathetically. “I’ve sensed some frustration from you with regard to Maria’s case. Are you well?”
“I am.” Brushing a fallen lock of hair from her forehead, Grace grinned thoughtfully. “I trust Maria entirely. She’s determined and, despite having multiple vocations, has proven herself to be an invaluable and intelligent resource for our offices.
“My concern lies with Francis,” she continued, her heart giving a littlethwump. “Finding and apprehending someone in London who does not wish to be found will prove a considerable task. There is danger in this assignment and, their willingness to face the risk notwithstanding, I worry over everyone’s safety.” Her lips quirked. “That said, I imagine Maria’s greatest challenge will, in fact, be the duke.”
A light laugh escaped Juliana. “Indeed. Maria has adamantly denied her love for my brother since we were children.”
