You Only Love Once by Caroline Linden Read Free Book Online

replied. “As much a viper as I expected. Selwyn obviously wrote to him, warning him of what I would say; he was prepared for everything I asked.” He paused. “A little too prepared. He wants Dixon found even more than we do.”
    Prince frowned at the contents of the mortar. “He said that?”
    â€œHe didn’t have to,” Nate said. He tossed aside the ill-fitting waistcoat as well, stretching his arms overhead in relief. He much preferred the more comfortable clothing of the frontier or the sea, but looking like a country buffoon with airs had suited his purpose today. “It was in everything he did and said. Not only was he waiting for me, he had already sent for an agent of his to accompany me.”
    â€œVery efficient,” muttered Prince.
    â€œNot even the English are that efficient.”
    A deep frown crossed Prince’s face. “Will this agent be a problem?”
    Nate dropped into the chair opposite his companion, tugging off his heavy boots. “I don’t know yet. She might be.”
    â€œShe?” Prince had leaned over to peer into the smoking jar, but now he glanced up, a sly smile splitting his dark face. “Don’t tell me he gave you a woman ? A female spy. Did he pat you on the head, too, and tell you to run home to your mammy?”
    Nate laughed. “Not in so many words, although I think he would have, if he thought he could get Dixon on his own. I told you, he wants Dixon very badly.”
    â€œYou said that before. Why would that be? The man hasn’t set foot in England for a decade at least.”
    This time Nate gazed out the small window, thinking before he answered. Already the smells and sounds of London had permeated the ship. He could see masts and rigging, dotted with sea-birds, and hear the calls of boatmen and sailors as they worked, loading and unloading cargo. “I’ve no idea,” he finally admitted. “I could make a guess; Dixon probably had his thieving ways well established before he left for New York. He might still be wanted here. Of course, if that were the case, it would seem best to mount a determined search without delay, and Stafford agreed completely with my request for stealth and secrecy. In fact, he agreed with almost everything I asked. Somehow I doubt the Crown would be so eager to hand him over to us if they had a prior claim on him.”
    â€œThen what?” Prince shrugged. “They send a woman to charm the breeches off him? Odd way to punish a man, if you ask me.”
    Nate just shook his head. He didn’t know, but he was quite sure he was right about Stafford being just as anxious, if not more so, to find Jacob Dixon. But why? That was a mystery, and the choice of agent selected to assist him didn’t make things any clearer.
    â€œSo, what is she like, this lady spy? What is the plan now?”
    What was she like? He had no idea, not really. “She’s a beauty,” he replied. “French. Slim and petite, the sort of woman who can appear as helpless as a spring lamb.” Prince snorted in disgust. “I said appear ; she’s not helpless at all. She offered to cut my throat personally, and there’s something in the way she moves that radiates…power.” He was a little surprised to hear himself say that last word, but itwas true. In that carriage ride, she had been hiding nothing from him. Whatever else she might be, Angelique Martand was nobody’s fool, and nothing like a weakling.
    Prince snorted again, then put back his head and laughed. “A beautiful French lady,” he said, grinning wickedly. “Full of power. You rolled snake eyes on this one, eh, Nathaniel? She will keep your eyes open, and perhaps not where they should be.”
    â€œYou’d better have your eyes open, too,” Nate told him. “I don’t know much about her except that she’s a mystery. Don’t let yourself be taken in by her