A Spy Unmasked (Entangled Scandalous) by Tina Gabrielle Read Free Book Online

things. Even the man’s name was still foreign to her and did not roll smoothly off her tongue.
    Jane regarded her quizzically. “Yes, about that. I thought you were highly suspicious of the constable’s findings surrounding your father’s death. You believed your father was murdered. You swore to find the criminal and see justice done, remember?”
    Sophia chose her words carefully. “I met Robert by chance at an outing, and he has been an unexpected source of comfort. As a new and influential earl, he agreed to help me with the constables and he has aided me in looking into Papa’s death. Somewhere along the way, he has captured my heart.”
    God forgive me for lying, she prayed silently.
    Jane clasped Sophia’s hands, her eyes imploring. “Be careful, Sophia. The heart can be a dubious thing.”
    Sophia swallowed the lump in her throat. She knew her cousin continued to suffer over her husband’s tragic death. Charles had shot himself with his own pistol after his prized stallion had lost an important race.
    “I must beg a favor of you,” she said. “I understand you are attending the Delmonts’ house party in Hatfield in a fortnight at the viscountess’s invitation. Lord Kirkland is attending as well and I’m invited as his betrothed.”
    “You need a chaperone?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m surprised. You had your suspicions about Viscount Delmont. Why would you want to attend his weeklong house party?”
    As Sophia’s friend and cousin, Jane knew a few details about her investigation into Viscount Delmont. Sophia had never told her about her plans to sneak into the masquerade; she knew Jane would not have approved. And after last night, she understood that there was much more at stake than just her own father’s death. Other inventors had been murdered, a mastermind of the Inventors’ Society was suspected, and the Home Office was involved. Although she wanted desperately to confide in Jane, she was worried about her cousin’s safety. The less Jane knew, the better.
    “I…I admit I may have been wrong about the viscount,” she said. “Delmont’s interests lie in chemistry, and I fear I may have erroneously assumed he was after Father’s work. The truth is Lord Kirkland and I have been unable to find anything incriminating about him.”
    “I see.” Jane sighed. “Due to the excitement of your news, I forgot to mention what I learned. Lady Mason told me that there was a shooting last night at the Delmonts’ masquerade. One of the viscount’s guards was killed. Thieves are suspected.”
    “A thief?”
    “No, thieves. They were spotted fleeing into the woods.”
    Sophia tried to still the pounding of her heart. “How awful! Were they caught?”
    Jane shook her head. “No. The guards could not even identify the criminals for the constables. With footpads lurking in the streets and thieves breaking into mansions, London is becoming quite dangerous.”
    “Perhaps it’s best if we leave town for a house party. Will you agree to act as my chaperone?” Sophia asked.
    For a moment Jane studied her intently. “I will. I’d like to observe the two of you together. What better way to judge your newfound love?”
    Sophia’s stomach sank. She had no doubt the handsome and deceiving Kirkland could pull off the ruse. But could she?

Chapter Six
    Later that afternoon, Sophia ceased working. She wasn’t making any progress and her stomach was grumbling, reminding her she hadn’t eaten luncheon. She was on the way to the kitchen when a knock sounded on the front door.
    Smith had already opened it by the time she walked into the vestibule.
    He held out a silver salver. “It’s addressed to you, my lady.”
    Her name was written upon the envelope in bold black ink. She took the note and headed for the library. She broke the seal and tore it open to withdraw a sheet of heavy foolscap bearing the distinct watermark of one of London’s quality papermakers.
    Come to my home at three o’clock this afternoon.