Page 89 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

“I am...not responsible for Peter’s death,” Jamie rasped.

“Stronger, say it like you believe it,” Ginny commanded. “Say, I am not responsible for Peter’s death.”

“I am not responsible for Peter’s death.”

“Again.”

“I am not responsible for Peter’s death.” The words rang out quietly, yet strong and unwavering, and Ginny nodded.

“That’s better. Keep saying it over and over again, because it’s the truth.” The young woman leaned forward and kissed Jamie’s cheek. “We all need to keep our heads straight if we’re going to catch this…this bastard.”

Ginny’s voice had become more strained, and Valeran marveled at her composure. Her brother had just been murdered in the line of duty, and she had taken charge, just like Wills. But then they were Rockwoods. They always rose to the challenge. Valeran froze for a moment. Exactly how did Ginny know C? How did she know so much about Peter and his murder?

The young woman rose to her feet, when Jamie jerked upright in his chair as if suddenly realizing, like Valeran just had, his cousin was waist deep in the marshes with them. Leaping out of his chair, Jamie towered over the young woman. Ginny’s head pulled back in surprise before it tipped to a slight angle as she looked at her cousin.

Valeran couldn’t see Jamie’s angry glare, but his friend’s posture made Valeran certain he was furious. Ginny’s reaction was a pose he’d seen Amalie strike a number of times when she was angry and not about to give way.

“Have you lost your fu…goddamn mind, Ginny?”

“No, I have not. I am serving my country. There have always been women spies, Jamie. I am simply carrying on that tradition.” Hands suddenly planted on her hips, Ginny leaned into her cousin. “And if you do anything, and I do mean anything, to make C dismiss me, I will make you pay, my lord. Nor will I ever forgive you.”

“You do not belong in the field, Ginny Rockwood. You don’t belong in the spy business, period,” his friend snarled viciously. Valeran saw Ginny’s shadow become ramrod straight.

“I belong in the field more than you do, Lord Westbury. I grew up in the East End. You did not. I know the underworld far better than you ever will,” Ginny bit out in a voice that was harsh and icy.

“Damn it, Ginny, I didn’t mean—”

“I know you didn’t, but it changes nothing.”

“Christ almighty. I can’t let you do this. If something happens to you…with Peter gone...” The minute Jamie tried to object with a shake of his head, Ginny’s head tilted at a defiant angle.

“I was servicing men at the age of seven, Jamie. I’ve seen things you’ve only seen in your nightmares,” she said in an emotionless voice. “I know the streets and the people. I know how they act and think. I have contacts in the underworld you don’t have.”

Valeran started violently at the woman’s statement, while his friend dragged in a harsh breath of dismayed disbelief. The sound said Ginny had just revealed something her cousin hadn’t known, and his friend was as shocked and horrified as Valeran.

“Ginny, for the love of God…I don’t know what—”

“There’s nothing to say, Jamie.” The young woman’s words were little more than a whisper. It was a sign Ginny had almost reached the limits of her composure. “But I’ll not let anyone stop me from serving my country and…searching…finding…Peter’s …killer.”

Ginny’s voice stammered to a halt, and with a soft sob, her shoulders sagged, and she began to cry. Instantly, Jamie pulled her into his arms and held her close. Valeran stared at the two, his brain trying to comprehend how C had agreed to let Ginny work as an agent in the Secret Intelligence Service foreign section. Not only that, but his superior hadn’t bothered to inform Valeran as to Ginny working with the team.

Then there was her brutally honest explanation of her childhood before her parents had adopted her. The woman would be an exceptional addition to the team. The sudden sound of the front door opening sent Valeran stumbling out of his chair and into the hall. The sight of Amalie’s full curves made him close the distance between them in three long strides.

“Where the devil have you been?” he demanded with a snarl of fury. “I’ve been worried as hell. No one knew where you’d gone. Don’t ever leave this house again without telling me where you’re going.”

“I went…I went to visit…”

The tears in her voice made Valeran’s gut wrench as he pulled her tight against him. Christ, she already knew, and he’d not been there to hold her, share her pain. As he held her close, her tears flowed with a heart-rending sorrow into his coat. They came from deep inside her, and he was in agony at his inability to take on her pain. Quiet voices behind him made Amalie lift her head. A moment later, she was engulfed in Jamie’s tight hug, followed by Ginny’s.

“Did you come to tell me about Peter?”

“Yes, I’ve not…I’ve not been home yet,” Ginny said softly. “I was worried the an dara sealladh might have shown you something. So I decided to come here before going home.”

“I was at my parents when Wills and Harry arrived with the news. Mother is quite distraught. She was quite fond of Peter.”

“We all...loved him…very much.” Ginny’s voice cracked, and Valeran knew Amalie’s cousin had reached her breaking point. He marveled at the fortitude the young woman had shown up to this point.

“Jamie, see that Ginny makes it home safely,” Valeran said quietly.