Imagining the worst, Lyra bit her lip uncertainly, not even realizing that Mara had moved to sit beside her until she reached out and took her hand.
“I’m sure that whatever it is, Alister will deal with it like the gentleman he is. Now,” Mara said with a smile. “Let’s see this ring.”
As she exclaimed over the beautiful ruby, Lyra knew her sister-in-law was only trying to take her mind off of the conversation taking place in the foyer, and she had to admit she was grateful for the distraction, however slight.
A quarter hour later, Alister returned, although the grim expression on his face did not bode well. Lyra’s nerves hummed in anticipation as she stood, and while she could barely choke out the barrister’s name, she had to know. “Talon…?”
“He’s alive.”
With those two words, relief flooded through her. “Thank God.”
“I’m told Talon will make a full recovery and will be staying with Drayven at Sussex House for the time being.” Alister’s voice turned flat. “But I fear his recovery is the only good news I have to impart.” His mouth turned down at the corners. “The battle at Sheerness resulted in several casualties on both sides. Unfortunately, none of them involved Elise Coventry.”
Lyra closed her eyes, a stone settling in the middle of her stomach. “So, it’s not over yet.” Mara stood and put an arm around her shoulders to offer some comfort.
“What’s the next step?” Roarke asked as he came forward.
“He’s going to leave,” Lyra answered stoically as her eyes met Alister’s.
Her husband’s jaw tensed. “I have no choice. Lord Liverpool has his hands full trying to explain the deaths of His Majesty’s soldiers in an emergency meeting with the heads of state. He sent a messenger to me because Elise has been seen at some rundown boarding house on the edge of East London. She used to meet Lord Winthorp and conduct her own secret meetings for‘The Cause’in the boarding house, soI doubt she’ll remain there for long.”
“But why doyouhave to go? Isn’t there someone else—”
“It’s my job, Lyra. I’m a veteran agent. I’ve been trained to deal with this sort of matter.”
Lyra felt like a knife was twisting in her heart. Of course she understood his reasons for leaving, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t resent the fact. She knew he was an agent; she just didn’t realize that her resolve would be tested so soon.
“Very well.” Her hands trembled, but she folded them before her and lifted her chin in an effort to remain strong. She wouldnotbreak down. Not yet.
Alister narrowed his eyes and broke contact before turning to Roarke. “Until I return, I would prefer it if my wife stayed here.”
Roarke gave a brief nod. “Lyra will always have a home at Eversleigh House.”
Alister turned back to Lyra. With a gentle hand on her arm, he pulled her to the side.
“You can’t expect me to stand aside and do nothing. Neither you nor the Regent will be safe until she’s apprehended. No matter what happens, I promise that I’ll always come back to you.”
“How can you promise something that may not happen?” she whispered brokenly.
His eyes burned. “Because I love you, and nothing will keep us apart.” He bent down and pressed his mouth to hers in a desperate kiss before he spun on his heel and quit the room.
* * *
It had nearly killed Alister to leave Lyra. The sight of her dark eyes filled with emotion had nearly been his undoing. But unless he finished this once and for all, he could never be assured of her safety.
For so long he’d been searching, trying to find something that made his life worth living, but it wasn’t until Lyra entered his monotonous existence did he realize what had been missing. It was the chance to be himself. He didn’t have to prove his worth to her or play the empty-headed charade he portrayed to the ton, for despite his title and the rumors about his lack of intelligence, she had always seen him as a flesh and blood man worthy of love. She accepted him as he was, flaws and all. So it was only fair that he offer her something in return. Once Elise was captured, he was retiring.
This would be his last rendezvous with the department.
“Let’s go.” He nearly growled the command to the runner who had been waiting for him. He grabbed his greatcoat and walked out the front door, shrugging it on as he went.
A groom was already holding the reins of Alister’s horse. He’d asked him to be saddled before he had returned to talk to Lyra.
Mounting, he waited impatiently for the other man to do the same. Then they kicked their heels into the animal’s sides and galloped through the cobblestone streets of London. Normally the thoroughfare would be packed with activity, even at this time of day. But since most of the sellers that usually bartered their wares were home with their families, the lanes were devoid of high traffic. Then again, it was Christmas Day.
Damn Elise Coventry! The woman was going to pay for putting him in this position.
A short time later, he reined in before a ramshackle building that had seen better days. It stood two stories, though it was rather narrow and leaned slightly to one side. Alister frowned. “This rat infested hovel should be condemned. It looks like it’s going to fall in at any moment.” He turned to the runner. “Are you sure this is the right address?”
