My Lord the Spy by Audrey Harrison Read Free Book Online Page A

Lordship?” Clara asked, maintaining her composure.
    “Of course.” Milly left the room, leaving the door open.
    Clara knew she would have only a few moments, so she was determined to make every word count. “Thank you for returning my brother to me two nights ago, My Lord, but pray, why have you visited today?” It was impertinent to be so forthright, but Clara did not have the luxury of time to waste words.
    Edmund smiled; he had wondered how she would react to his appearance, and she had not let him down. “No niceties, Miss Baker?” he asked with a drawl.
    “I have one opportunity before I’m forced to mutter inane nothings; I thought it was important to come straight to the point,” Clara replied directly.
    “I was curious to see how you both were,” Edmund responded. “I had the pleasure of making your brother’s acquaintance yesterday and informed him I would be paying my respects to you both today. He is a pleasant boy.” He was doing what Henry had suggested, but he was not going to give the chit false hope by letting her think  he was seeking her out; he was not about to play the besotted lover when the result could be  marriage. He would do much for King and country, but that did not include getting leg-shackled. That went above and beyond duty.
    “I’m fine, no adverse effects to my foolish escapade,” Clara responded with a rueful smile, returning to her chair. She was not going to give any sign she had been kept awake by memories of his kisses.
    “Good,” Edmund responded, sitting at Clara’s request. “And your brother?”
    “Charles is a completely different matter,” Clara replied with a sigh. “A perfect example is before us; even though you say he had knowledge that you would be visiting, he is missing once more. It is so typically Charles.”
    No further communication was possible due to Milly’s return. Edmund changed the subject, and they spent the next fifteen minutes discussing the usual topics of conversation that made up morning visits. Edmund rose after drinking more tea than he liked and made his bow.
    “If you are attending the Thurston’s ball tonight, I would be honoured if you would keep the first two dances for me,” Edmund said to Clara.
    “We are if my brother still wishes to,” Clara said, not actually knowing if they would attend after Charles had refused to go to the Stamford’s ball.
    “If you would be so kind as to tell him I will be in attendance and will look forward to sharing a drink or two with him, I’m convinced he will be there,” Edmund said with surety.
    “In that case I will save the first two for you. You obviously are more confident about my brother’s reliability than I am,” Clara said with feeling. Her words were inappropriate for so new an acquaintance, but their shared experience made it feel as if they were a lot more familiar than would appear to anyone else.
    Edmund smiled at Clara, enjoying seeing the curiosity on her face. “Don’t fret, Miss Baker; we were all young once, you know,” he said, bowing once more to her curtsey before leaving the room.
    Clara sat down once the door had closed behind her and picked up the sewing she had cast aside as soon as their visitor had been announced.
    “Are you going to explain why an Earl, who has obviously met you previously but not while you’ve been in my company has brought you flowers today, or am I supposed to guess about this new acquaintance?” Milly asked trying to sound prim.
    Clara’s eyes flew to her relative, and she blushed. “Is there any point in my trying to make up a tale?” she asked woefully.
    “No, not at this time,” Milly responded. “But I think you’d better explain yourself; my thoughts are running all over the place!”
    Clara told Milly about the masquerade and being saved by Edmund. She left out the part about being thoroughly kissed; Milly was open-minded, but Clara did not think it prudent to acknowledge just how wanton she had actually