Clandestine by Julia Ross Read Free Book Online

breastplate, as Good Queen Bess did when she addressed the troops at Tilbury before the Armada.”
    â€œAh,” Sarah said. “One of the most famous speeches in history: ‘I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king—and of a king of England, too—’”
    â€œâ€˜â€”and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm,’” Lady Ryderbourne finished with a flourish. She tapped on the massive double doors. “You may take it that Her Grace’s armor is appropriate.”
    â€œAnd Mr. Devoran’s?” Sarah asked. “Might he be dressed as that knight?”
    â€œI doubt it. Guy’s a wonderful dancer, and who’d want to be escorted by a man who’d be clanking around the ballroom?”
    â€œThen how will I know him?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Lady Ryderbourne grinned as the footman swung the doors wide. “But since Guy suggested your costume and picked out the sheep, he’ll certainly know you.”

C HAPTER T HREE
    G UESTS STREAMED INTO THE BALLROOM, A MASS OF WIGS and headdresses and costumes. Everyone was masked.
    A tall man in a splendid curled wig and red velvet coat immediately walked up to join Sarah and Lady Ryderbourne. Though a black mask hid his face, he could only be Guy Devoran’s older cousin, Lord Ryderbourne, heir to the duchy.
    Flourishing his plumed hat, he swept both ladies a bow, then he pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her on the mouth.
    â€œA buss for your sweetheart, Nell! What the devil have you done with your oranges?”
    â€œI lost them.”
    â€œWhich explains why Lady Fallay sat on them and created a small social disaster for Queen Bess. Though Her Grace will forgive you anything, sweetheart, now that you’ve given her a new Earl of Wyldshay to dandle.”
    Lady Ryderbourne laughed and reached up to kiss him again. “Which is too great a name for such a tiny baby, sir. Ambrose Laurence Jonathan Devoran St. George is mouthful enough. But this is Sarah Callaway, Ryder: Guy’s shepherdess.”
    Sarah curtsied, but Lord Ryderbourne took her hand and raised it to his lips. His eyes were deep green, like the laughing shadow beneath a wave.
    â€œOf course! Very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Callaway. I see my cousin’s wicked sense of humor has been at work, yet I’m most partial to sheep. May I ask for the honor of this next dance?”
    It was impossible not to smile. “You’re very gracious, my lord, but—”
    â€œNo, don’t refuse!” Lady Ryderbourne said. “If you don’t dance with Ryder, Guy will think we’ve abandoned you.”
    â€œAnd then he’ll call me out. My tragic corpse will be found on Hampstead Heath, and my little son will be left fatherless.” He tucked Sarah’s hand into his elbow. “I pray you’ll not pretend that you cannot dance, ma’am?”
    She was trapped, so she smiled again. “I’m delighted to accept, my lord. But I assume this is only part of some devious plot of Mr. Devoran’s?”
    â€œMost definitely!” Lord Ryderbourne led her onto the floor. “Guy’s a great plotter, but only in the most noble of causes. He first enlisted me to shadow you in St. James’s, in case you didn’t take the right street and he lost you.”
    Sarah swallowed the shock. “So you were the gentleman that Mr. Devoran stopped to talk to in front of the wine seller’s? I had no idea that either of you had noticed me.”
    â€œI hadn’t, until Guy pointed you out. After that, you were the unfortunate victim of our conspiracy. I followed you as you tracked him, while Guy lay in wait for you in a bookstore. I trailed you again after that—in the most casual fashion—until you had safely entered your hotel. Enlist one of us, Mrs.