“Unless you can point out the gentleman from the park, yes.”His eyes were direct, as if he were trying to solve a particular puzzle.
She drew herself up slightly, not that she needed to prove anything.“Of course.I told you before that he is dangerous enough that he could easily be the French spy.”
“Let us hope you are right on that account.”
She frowned.“What does that mean?”
He folded his hands over his trim stomach.“Merely that I have been told that should you fail to garner sufficient information for the Watch this evening, your services shall no longer be needed.”
Her mouth fell open, shock and indignation winding through her.“It was not enough that I was nearly accosted in broad daylight today?”She waved a hand toward the window, which was now dark, the sun having long since set.
“Despite your best efforts,” he noted evenly, as if he had carefully rehearsed each and every line.And perhaps he had.“Those above my authority have decided you could be a liability rather than an asset moving forward.”
She crossed her arms.“Is that so?”
“Indeed.”
If it wasn’t for the slight tick in his jaw, she might have believed he was just as calculated and cruel as the men in power he so casually mentioned.As it was, she took heart in the belief that he did not agree with their assessment, that she still had something real to offer.“What of the quest to discover my heritage?I suppose those doors will forever be closed to me now.”
“No.”His tone was firm, lashing out like a whip.“I promised you that I would assist in that endeavor, and I fully intend to keep my word.”
“I am grateful that someone in society still has a sense of honor.”She hated that her tone was so bitter, but she couldn’t help the frustration boiling within her.Along with the desire that had been swirling inside of her with such sweet intoxication earlier, it was turning out to be an explosive mix.She could only pray that she did not combust at the wrong moment.
The carriage came to a halt, and it was all she could do to wait for the duke to hold out his hand to assist her down.She wanted to lift her skirts and stomp into the musicale, find the cretin that was causing all this havoc, then snatch him up by the ear and drag him to the duke where she would proclaim him as the traitor.It was a wonderful scenario in theory, where life worked out according to plan.But for those unfortunate souls like Astara, the reality could be a bit harsher and unforgiving.No doubt the gentleman who had found her at the park would elude her this evening, giving the duke no chance to determine his identity, sending her back to the slums where she had to fight for everything—including her right to survive.
With her hands clenched at her sides, she found herself becoming bitter toward this glittering world that shunned people like her.Of course, since the members of thetonbelieved her to be the cousin to a duke, she was accepted.Gentlemen inclined their heads with polite respect and ladies might titter behind their fans, but they smiled and acknowledged her presence.So many times, these same people would ignore her and glance the opposite way when they passed on the street, just so they didn’t have to dirty their hands by associating with her lower-class upbringing.
It was only by enduring the difficult instruction at the orphanage that she was able to pretend to be part of this upper echelon, but even that discipline was not enough to satisfy those in power, the ones that knew the truth of her past.
Astara’s frustration nearly made her spin around and walk back out the door, closing the chapter on Hampton and the rest of this ridiculous charade.But at the same time, it was because of her desperation to uncover her lineage and that she might make some sort of difference, that kept her fists clenched and a smile plastered on her face.She should not care where she came from, but there had always been a part of her, deep down, that believed her parents had cared for her, that there was a reason she’d been deposited on that orphanage doorstep.It was the dream she continued to chase.
If it turned out all those long-held hopes had been in vain, then she supposed she had no further reason to remain in England.Perhaps the duke could assist her in securing passage to America.At least there she might be able to make a fresh start with the rest of the immigrants who had decided to find a solution to their unfortunate situations, for whatever reason.
Thus emboldened, she allowed the duke to escort her to their seats as they waited for the entertainment to begin.
* * *
Knox could sensea change come over Astara, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint what it could signify.No doubt it had something to do with the information he’d revealed in the carriage a short time ago.He hoped his tone conveyed his own displeasure at the decision of his superior, but it did not seem to matter.She appeared visibly overset by the news, likely because she believed he wouldn’t remain true to his word once they parted ways.However, Knox wasn’t certain he would be able to keep his distance from her should the Watch decide they wanted to end their association.After such a brief acquaintance, he had discovered something compelling about her.Perhaps it was the drive to discover the truth of where she’d come from, or just the innocent vitality that had broken through his personal hell.Either way, he could feel something shifting inside of him, a restlessness that yearned to break free.For years, he’d been forced to act the responsible Duke of Hampton.It wasn’t until he’d joined the Lion’s Watch that he’d been given the opportunity to become the man he’d always wanted to be.With Astara, that feeling was only heightened, and it was this sensation that he didn’t want to lose but explore further.
For now, he knew the most important thing was to focus on the matter at hand and discover who this blasted traitor was that was transferring all of England’s secrets to those blasted French frogs.While he didn’t know for certain that anything significant would be discovered tonight, anticipation flowed through his veins as if he was expecting a breakthrough.
Once they were settled in their seats, Knox waited for the chance to introduce Astara to Lord Montrose.As the puffed-up, middle-aged gentleman who had rather ridiculous but quite vocal opinions, strode through the assemblage, Knox reluctantly pointed him out.
Astara’s nose immediately wrinkled in obvious distaste.“Is his gray hair always that wiry?”she muttered.
“Indeed,” Knox concurred.He wondered if she was right and he was worth approaching at all.
Before he could suggest just that, Astara was on her feet and heading for her target.Knox watched as she seemed to stumble, catching herself “accidentally” with Montrose.At first glance, the man appeared quite affronted, but it did not take long for Astara’s beauty and charm to quickly win over the other man, especially when their hostess walked over to offer an invitation.Knox knew that if Blackton could see how she managed to easily win over the most difficult men, he might alter his opinion to let her go, might decide that she was, indeed, of further value to the Watch.
It didn’t take long before Montrose finally looked over at Knox and, for a moment, it would be easy to pinpoint him as the traitor, but he realized that most of the animosity was directed at him and not the English itself.Knox might have absconded with the mistress Montrose had initially chosen for himself, causing that resentment.
When Astara finally rejoined him, his suspicions were confirmed.“Really, cousin,” she whispered.“It was in poor form to treat Lord Montrose so ill.”
Knox snorted.“He brought up Belinda?”
“Quite the scandal, or it was from what I hear from Lady Bartholomew.He still hasn’t recovered from the slight.”
“Indeed,” Knox added dryly.“And he wants to make sure everyone in London is aware of his displeasure toward me and anything I’m associated with.He speaks rather heatedly against the Lion’s Watch organization, but perhaps it is because he is aware I am in support of it.”
