Pleasurably Undone! by Christine Merrill Read Free Book Online Page B

touches. As she weighed the bits of evidence against each other, no matter how she looked at it, it appeared that she had been wrong.
    If only she could have come to the conclusion a few hours sooner, she might have slipped away from him last night, and avoided the painful admission she might have to make today.
    But she had not left because she had not wanted to, just as he had not stopped himself in the brothel. When he learned the truth he would turn her out, and she would be well punished for her playacting and foolish suspicions, because she would never again feel as she did when he held her in his arms.
    As she worried on it, Tom burst in through the door of his room, tossing his hat and gloves aside, but keeping his stick as he dropped into the chair beside hers. “Toby,” he called to his servant, “paper and ink. Immediately. Sharpen a pen, and bring the writing table closer to the fire for me. Then, prepare yourself to deliver a message to the home of the Earl of Stanton. You are not to leave until you see the man. Put the paper I give you into his hands and no other’s. He will hear me out on this, damn him, if he cares for his country.”
    “Tom, what are you about? What has happened?” The mention of the earl made her mouth go dry. But Tom seemed more elated than angry. Proof that whatever he had learned it was not the whole truth.
    He flexed his bad leg and sighed. “It has been a mostcurious day. I procured the license, or at least set things in motion to make the damned thing procurable. And then, I went to visit an old friend in the Home Office. The Earl of Stanton was my captain, before your husband. If we are to make a go of it, I cannot lay about here, mooning over the past. I need employment.” He was grinning at her as though he thought it the most wonderful thing in the world to toil for her, and she could feel her heart breaking a little.
    He shook his head. “But he would not have me. It seems I am not trusted. There were rumors, you know, after the incident. Some thought me a coward, and others a traitor for my damned luck on that day.”
    She cringed at his casual mention of the very thing that had preyed on her mind. “Perhaps the people who doubted did not know you as I do now.” And she would find a way to make it right, now that she had seen the truth.
    He smiled and gave another shake of his head, this time in amazement. “No matter. Today, I think it has all happened for a reason. Stanton’s secretary was quick to take note of the cold reception, and made me a most unusual offer. I think he hoped that there was some bit of information that I might wish to sell, or that the enemy had some use for a desperate and angry man.”
    “No.” She almost moaned the word. It would be a sad thing if her presence had made him the very traitor she hoped to catch.
    He placed a hand on hers. “Do not worry. I am not tempted. But I kept mum about the fact. And now, it seems I have information that would be most valuable to Stanton, and he will be forced to apologize for turning me out.” His eyes narrowed. “As if I would turn so easily to help the lot that gave me this gamey leg.” His hand tightened on hers, as though he could shield her from the pain of the past. “I know we are barely met. And this all must seem most curious to you. But if asked,I will spy for Stanton and meet with these men to divine their purpose. Perhaps I can lead them to reveal others. If I can deliver them into the very hands of those they seek to betray, it will be most satisfying. I will lie if I must, and appear to be a rogue and traitor. But you must believe that I am as true to my country as I will be to you.” He brushed the hair out of her eyes. “I will make an excellent spy, since it is so easy for most to believe wrong of me.”
    “Don’t.” The proof of his innocence hurt almost as much as the fear of his guilt.
    He was holding her hand almost painfully tight, as though he feared she would leave.