Magnificent Devices 07 - A Lady of Integrity by Shelley Adina Read Free Book Online Page A

hospitality for the last four years. Was she really prepared to show herself so ungrateful for everything he had done for her by abandoning her position before she had even taken it up?
    She thought of Jake, and did her best to firm her resolution.
    She sank onto a delicate Rococo chair when he and the baroness seated themselves on the sofa. “You must understand my feelings,” she began. “Jake is practically a member of my family. He is Alice’s navigator. We cannot go about our normal lives when one of our friends is in danger. You would not expect it of us.”
    “I would expect you to take the sensible view,” the count said gently. “What can you add to the expedition that an experienced military man, a scientist, and a capable aeronaut do not already possess?”
    Brains, bombs, and a modest amount of beauty if necessary would probably not be the most prudent reply.
    “I have a plan,” she said. “I believe we stand the greatest chance of success if we pose as visitors to the art exhibition. As English tourists, we may explore the nooks and crannies of the city unmolested, and as a woman, I would not be suspected of any behavior more threatening than a fainting spell.”
    “And then?”
    How fortunate she and Andrew had talked this over. “And then Mr. Malvern plans to devise a—a mechanism by which we may effect a rescue. But it will all depend on what we discover there, after we reconnoiter.”
    “This is all very well, but there remains one other question.”
    Here it came—the point where she must bring shame upon herself. “I know I was to begin work in the laboratory tomorrow, and Count, you cannot know how much it distresses me to disappoint you.”
    “Then do not,” the baroness urged her. She spoke so rarely that Claire blinked in surprise. “Ferdinand has been waiting eagerly for this day. To launch you upon a career that will put many others in the shade.”
    “And I am equally anxious to begin my career,” she said quickly. “But can you not see that it would only be delayed by a week at most? Surely, for the sake of a young man’s life, that is not too much to ask?”
    Von Zeppelin’s gaze did not soften into sympathy or agreement. “It reflects poorly upon us two,” he said at last. “You, for unnecessarily putting yourself in the way of danger, and I, for allowing my expectations and those of my senior staff to be toyed with. It is not necessary for you to go, and I find it difficult to have my offer and my hospitality of the last four years repaid in this manner.”
    Claire tried not to wilt, to meet this charge with the straight spine of a woman and a lady, not a child, but it was difficult. “It is only for a week,” she said faintly.
    “And what if it is not? What if some disaster strikes and we lose you? Will the life of young Jake balance the loss of yours, Mr. Malvern’s, and Lieutenant Terwilliger’s, to say nothing of those others who go with you?”
    Well, this was simply not fair. “One cannot declare the worth of one by the measure of another. And besides, it does no good to borrow trouble, only to prepare for it.”
    “And will you be prepared? Will you go, despite my wishes?”
    She was silent.
    “Because I cannot guarantee that upon your return, the position will be waiting for you, if you will treat it so cavalierly.”
    “Ferdinand.” Even the baroness’s eyes widened as she put a hand upon his arm.
    Claire felt as though she might be sick. “Please,” she whispered. “You cannot expect me to send others in where I am not willing to go.”
    “Your Queen is perfectly satisfied to let capable men handle the task. Are you so much better than she?”
    He had never spoken to her in such a tone before, nor used such words. How dreadfully she must be disappointing him—and how afraid for her he must be! She could feel his distress from where she sat—and it did not make this any easier.
    “Do not make me choose between my family and my career,” she