“As I said, things have changed.” What had sufficed before would no longer satisfy him.
“I’ll beg your pardon for asking this, but I must. Are you certain you can trust your lady?” Swinburne’s expression was stark. “The security of our nation depends upon our work. One slip from Lady Hawksmoor, one indiscreet conversation, could compromise the welfare of our country.”
“My wife can be trusted,” Hawk said unequivocally. “You have my word.”
Swinburne sighed. “Permission granted, then. With one caveat.”
Hawk cocked his head.
“Given the possible leak, I don’t want anything else to compromise our mission. Too much is at stake. Will you wait until we wrap up this business before telling your wife?”
It was a reasonable request. Hawk’s instincts told him that they were on the cusp of apprehending Wheatley and his gang. Waiting a few days to tell Fiona the truth wouldn’t hurt.
He inclined his head. “Yes, sir.”
When Fi arrived at Charlie’s that morning, she found the other Angels crowded around yet another basket of treats.
“Mrs. Fisher again?” Fi asked as she sat next to Glory.
Holding a pair of silver tongs, Glory gestured to a tray of prettily decorated teacakes. “You must try the almond ones. They are todiefor. No wonder Mrs. Fisher is getting an appointment from the Queen; her bakers are royally good.”
“Pass me a cake then. Make that two since I’m celebrating,” Fi said casually.
“What is the occasion?” Glory asked.
“Hawk and I are officially in love,” Fi declared.
When her friends squealed with excitement, Fi couldn’t help but join them.
Pippa handed her a cup of tea. “Tell us everything.”
Fi summarized the soul-baring conversations she’d had with Hawk, concluding giddily, “Hawk sees me in a way that no one else has before. He appreciates who I truly am.”
“I should hope so.” Glory paused to share a morsel of cake with her ferret. “He is lucky to be married to you.”
“Hear, hear.” Livy and Pippa held their teacups up in a toast.
“Thank you, dears.” Taking a breath, Fi went on, “The talk with Hawk also helped me to realize that I’ve never felt deserving of my social success. I attributed my popularity to my dowry and the extra effort I put in. To my mind, I did not possess many merits, and all those years of being looked down upon for my origins didn’t help. The truth is I felt like a fraud and not a true lady.”
Her friends gawked at her.
“Why didn’t you tell us you felt that way?” Livy sounded puzzled and a bit hurt. “We could have told you how very special you are. That you are more of a lady than many born with titles.”
“I probably wouldn’t have believed you,” Fi admitted. “Because you are my bosom friends and have always been in my corner no matter what.”
“If I had known that you felt insecure about your popularity, I would haveneverteased you about it.” Glory’s face creased with worry. “I’m so sorry, Fi. If I inadvertently poured salt into your wounds—”
“You didn’t, dearest.” Reaching over, Fi patted her friend’s hand. “I knew you were being affectionate.”
Glory gave a relieved nod.
“I am so glad that you trusted Hawksmoor with the truth,” Pippa said.
“It was such a relief. In fact”—Fi inhaled deeply—“I want to tell him that I am an investigator soon. Are your husbands prepared to test the waters at supper tonight?”
“Hadleigh is ready and willing,” Livy said.
“Cull, too,” Pippa added.
