No Ordinary Mistress (Entangled Scandalous) (7 page)

“Then Baron Prescott is a traitor, too, it seems.”

Chapter Seven

Remy convinced Emma she needed a rest, a nice long bath, and new clothes to make her feel better. Then he sent for Harrison. He’d already filled him in on most of the information they’d gathered.

“What is the ring?” Harrison asked.

“Here, I’ll show you,” Emma said from the doorway. She walked into the room, wearing one of the new dresses that Madam Dupree had sent her. It was a simple day dress in a lovely pale shade of green. It fit her perfectly, didn’t hide her luscious curves, but rather accented them.

She was stunning. She bent over his desk to draw something on a piece of parchment, and Remy realized in that moment that he loved her. He’d always loved her. Any other woman would have to take to her bed after what she’d been through in the past few days, but instead, Emma had grown only more self-possessed and determined. When they’d worked together in Paris, he’d been drawn to her, but he’d been too self-centered to realize what those qualities meant. He loved her determination and her skill, but those very things meant he couldn’t control her. Back in Paris, he hadn’t been able to accept that. Now he could.

She walked over to Harrison and handed him the paper.

“It looks like this.”

“A spider?”

“Precisely. And Baron Prescott was wearing that ring, same hand, same finger, the night I saw Comfry murdered. His build is right, too, tall and broad. It’s him. He killed Comfry, which means he is working against the Crown as well. And from the sound of their conversation, there are others.”

Harrison nodded. “We know that is true. We’ve been trying to uncover their identities for the last year, but have only found a few of the key players. I’ll speak to the Justice of the Peace tonight and see if we have enough evidence to have him arrested.”

“He’s well-funded,” Remy said.

“Always an impediment to justice, but we certainly can’t take matters into our own hands,” Harrison said.

There was a scratch at the door, and the butler appeared with a tray. “My Lord, this message came for you and Miss Masterson.” He brought the note to Remy.

He opened the note and then met Emma’s gaze. “It’s from Penny. She wants to meet us tonight at the Rigley ball.”

“I knew she had more to tell us,” Emma said.

“I’m fairly certain I was invited to that ball as well,” Harrison said. “It’s doubtful the Baron will let her out of his sight much, so perhaps I can be of assistance with distracting him.”

“Then it is settled,” Remy said.

“Until tonight,” Harrison said. He nodded and left the room.

Remy walked over to Emma and pulled her into an embrace. “You look beautiful.” Then he kissed her, gentle and pleading, the kind of kiss intended to show her how much she meant to him.

“I don’t need the practice,” she said, pulling free of his arms. “I can play the part of your mistress without your heated kisses.”

“I didn’t kiss you to practice. I kissed you because I wanted to. Get used to it, sweetheart.”

…

This was more like the balls she’d heard about from her mother. Men in black with bright white cravats, women in beautiful gowns with matching dancing slippers and gems, and a tower made up entirely of champagne glasses. The glittering ballroom fluttered with people and noise. Rose topiaries and ferns lined the ballroom and the wall of opened balcony doors. The cool night breeze set the curtains swaying with the music.

Standing here she could see how her mother had been seduced into this world. It was beautiful, luxurious, and comfortable. But to Emma, it simply wasn’t worth trading her soul. In that world, men always left, and women wept.

She turned her attention to the conversations around her. The women directly behind her chatted endlessly about the weather and the girls who had just been introduced at Almack’s. There were two gentlemen to her right discussing their latest horse purchases. She cut a glance at Remy as he surveyed the room. His hand rested at the small of her back, making a claim to everyone in the room that she belonged to him. She should have felt controlled or as if she were a piece of property, but instead, she felt protected and cherished. It scared the hell out of her.

He led her further into the ballroom. “We still have a quarter of an hour before we’re supposed to meet her.”

“Do you know your way around these gardens?” she asked.

“I’ve been here before, but it’s been a while.” He eyed her, then smiled. “Would you walk with me in the gardens, Miss Masterson?”

“Are you flirting with me?”

“Always.”

She wanted to be with Remy, accept whatever arrangement he’d come up with for their relationship. She knew, though, that eventually, he’d tire of her, find a younger, prettier woman to seduce. She’d seen her mother cry for that very reason again and again. “There are other women here,” she said.

“Indeed? I hadn’t noticed. In any case, I’m here with the most beautiful.” Together, they exited through the balcony doors and walked down the steps to the gardens. They were to meet Penny near the rose garden. The brisk, night air swirled around them, and Emma rubbed her arms.

The gardens, while not overly large, were full and flourishing. Obviously, the Rigleys took great pride in their flowers. They rounded a lilac bush and found a trail that led directly to the rose garden. Much to Emma’s surprise, Penny was already there, sitting on a bench and waiting. She stood abruptly when she saw them approach.

She smiled weakly. “Thank you for meeting me.”

“We want to help you in whatever way we can,” Emma said.

“You make such an attractive couple. Be happy you have found each other. Not everyone gets to marry the one they love.”

It was on Emma’s tongue to correct the woman, but she remembered that for all intents and purposes she was to look as if she loved Remy. It wasn’t hard to do, and evidently she was either doing a wonderful job of playing the role or a terrible job of hiding her true feelings. Nevertheless, she simply nodded and said, “Thank you.”

“I am risking much to see you,” Penny said. “But I felt it was important to give this to you. Eric, that is Lord Comfry, entrusted it to me, and I suspect he’d want me to give it to someone trying to find his killer. You will do that, will you not?” She held a book in her hand, a small, leather volume, the very same one that Emma had seen Lord Comfry write in on more than one occasion.

“Of course. We already are fairly certain who took his life,” Remy said, but he didn’t tell her who.

“As am I.” Penny took a shaky breath.

“Can we take you somewhere? We could hide you,” Emma said.

Penny shook her head. “There is no point. He can’t hurt me anymore. He’s already taken away everything I ever loved.” She held out the book. “I’ve tried to read it, but it’s in some code or secret language. I couldn’t understand any of it. Hopefully, you will do much better.”

“May I ask,” Emma said, “did you fall in love before or after you married his uncle?”

Penny smiled wistfully. “Long before. Eric and I wanted to marry, but my father was holding out for someone with a fatter purse. Baron Prescott knew how Eric and I felt about each other and came to see my father. Instead of loaning Eric the money, he took me for his own, knowing it would destroy both Eric and myself. Prescott’s cruel and ruthless, and he’s always been jealous that though he has more funds, Eric had a higher ranking title.”

Emma didn’t know what to say. The woman had been through so much and now was stuck without her love and in a marriage that no doubt brought more than she bargained for.

“There you are, my dear. I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Baron Prescott said from behind them. “I see you’ve found our new friends.”

Remy slid the diary inside his coat. “Happy accident, I’m afraid. We merely ran into your lovely wife while out perusing the gardens.”

“It’s such a beautiful night,” Emma said.

“Indeed,” Baron Prescott said. “Come along, Penelope, it’s time you came back inside.”

She looked down at the ground and walked past Remy and Emma. He grabbed her hard on the arm, and she winced, and then he whispered something in her ear. She hurried past him once he’d released her and made her way back to the ballroom.

“Now then, I want to know what you and my wife were discussing.” Baron Prescott walked toward them, slowly and purposely.

Emma had no doubt Remy could take the man in a physical fight, but it wouldn’t be easy. The Baron was not a small man despite his age, and he was agile.

“The roses,” Emma said. “I wanted to know about this particular one.” She fingered a pink bloom beside her, then shrugged. “But it would seem your wife didn’t know about it, either. I don’t suppose you—”

“Shut up!” His face clenched in anger, and he closed the distance between them so that he stood just across the square of rose bushes from them. He reached into his jacket and withdrew a pistol. “You will tell me what I want to know, or I will kill you.”

“I hardly think that is necessary,” Remy said. He moved Emma so she was blocked behind his body. “You’ve allowed your lady to leave; allow mine to do the same.”

“I don’t need to leave,” Emma said through gritted teeth.

“No, I don’t believe I will,” Baron Prescott said. “Your lady is very much a part of this.”

“Emma, I want you to slide yourself down onto the ground,” Remy said quietly so only she could hear him. The shrubbery will hide you.”

“I will do no such thing. I am just as involved in this as you are. I’ve been trained as well, though the only weapon I have on me is a dagger, and I’m not certain I could hit him from this distance.”

“What are you two whispering about?” He moved his pistol aim so that it bounced between the two of them. He couldn’t shoot them both unless the bullet went straight through Remy’s body into hers, which seemed highly unlikely.

“Give me the dagger,” Remy whispered.

She slid her skirt up and retrieved the blade secured into her garter and put it in Remy’s waiting hand.

“I demand to know what you two were doing with my wife.”

“We know you murdered Lord Comfry. You’ve already been reported to the Justice of the Peace, and they’ll be sending a constable to arrest you at any time,” Remy said.

Baron Prescott’s face hardened. “You son of a bitch!” And then he fired the gun. There was a loud pop, and Emma heard Remy swear. He clutched his chest and fell to his knees, then onto his back. She looked over and couldn’t see Prescott any longer. She should chase after him, she knew that, pursue the suspect no matter what, but she couldn’t, not when she could save Remy.

“Remy!” Emma fell to her knees beside him. “Remy, answer me.” Her heart thundered, and tears already gathered in her eyes. She searched his body for blood but found none. “Are you all right? Talk to me, damn you!”

He chuckled and winced at the same time. “You’re adorable when you’re angry.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out Comfry’s diary, a bullet lodged into the center of it. “Comfry saved me.”

She hit him in the arm. “I’m not angry. Well, I am now, but I was scared.”

“Scared for me?”

She clenched her teeth not wanting to answer, but her body betrayed her by allowing those bloody tears to fall. “Yes, I was scared for you.”

“That means you love me.”

He was teasing her, she knew that, but still his words echoed in her head. He was right; she did love him. And loving him had done precisely what she thought it would. She’d chosen him over her duty to her country and allowed Prescott to get away. She’d failed.

She stood and took several steps backwards. “I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” Then she turned on her heel and ran.

“Emma! Wait,” Remy yelled after her, but she kept running.

She’d allowed love to weaken her, and now she’d lose her post with the Seven. She truly was no better than her mother.

Chapter Eight

Two weeks later, Emma sat in her rented room trying to decide precisely what to do. She’d expected to receive a summons to the Seven headquarters, but had heard nothing from any of her colleagues. She knew such a summons would merely be a formality, it was quite evident that her behavior had cost them Prescott. At least they had Comfry’s journal in their hands.

For the past three years, her life had been consumed by her work with the Seven, and she’d thought it would be enough for her. Wanted it to be enough. The truth was she loved her work with the Seven, but more than that, she loved Remington. If love made her weak, then so be it, because she knew that nothing, no amount of time or distance, could ever make her stop wanting and stop loving Remy.

Suddenly, she knew precisely what she needed to do, and there was a good chance that Remy would send her away. She’d rejected him twice, and there was only so much a man could endure. Still she hoped she wasn’t too late.

…

Remy sat at the table waiting for Harrison to start the meeting. He was eager for this particular meeting because today Harrison was handing out new assignments. Remy was ready to get back to work. He’d been too idle these last couple of weeks, which meant he’d spent entirely too much time missing Emma. But she’d made her choice, and he knew there was nothing he could do to convince her.

He knew the work wouldn’t make him forget, but it would at least give him something to do. He could only hope the assignment would take him out of London, preferably out of England.

The last of the members filed into the room and took seats. Emma had been among the first women recruited to the Seven, but now there were four, well, three without Emma. The room fell silent when
Alistair Devlin, Marquess of Coventry walked in, his every step paired with a thump of his cane. He’d been a member for years, but his mere presence made most Londoners uncomfortable. That happened when everyone believed you murdered your wife. Remy liked the man, though, so he nodded toward him.

Harrison stood at the front of his room. “Coventry, glad you could make it. I don’t believe you’ve ever attended one of our meetings.”

Alistair merely nodded.

Then the door opened, and Emma walked in. She stopped cold when she saw Harrison standing. “My apologies.” She looked lovely despite the redness rimming her eyes. Evidently, she hadn’t been sleeping well, either.

“Ms. Masterson, we haven’t gotten started, go ahead and take a seat,” Harrison said.

She frowned. “No, you misunderstand, I am not here for the meeting. I’m actually here to speak with Remy.”

He met her gaze.

“I made a mistake,” she said.

He came to his feet. “Emma, we don’t have to do this in here.”

“No, we do.” Her fingers worked the hem of her pelisse. “So many of the people in this room believed it a mistake when I was recruited to join the ranks of the Seven. Many of you still believe that women don’t belong here, that we aren’t meant to be spies. We’re too emotional, too weak.” She took several steps toward Remy.

“Emma, what the devil are you talking about?” he asked.

“I wanted you to know, all of you, that I think you’re right. I don’t belong here. I know that I failed in my last assignment, that I allowed my feelings for my partner, for Remy, to get in the way of the task at hand. I take full responsibility that Prescott got away. But I will not apologize for what I did, and I’d do it all over again.”

Remy closed the distance between them.

“I would choose him over completing an assignment again and again if it meant keeping him safe. It is for that reason that I know I must resign, though I suspect that is unnecessary, and I’ve already been dismissed,” She looked up at him.

“I knew you loved me,” he said. He couldn’t help smiling.

“You asked me once to marry you. I don’t suppose the offer is still open?”

He pulled her to him and kissed her. “I’ll never let you go again.”

“Good.” She touched her face. “I can’t stop smiling.”

“You know I’m still going to do everything I can to protect you, but it doesn’t mean I’m controlling you.”

“Yes, I know. I understand now.” She shook her head. “I was so afraid that loving would make me weak.”

“And now?”

“I care not if I’m weak. The only thing I care about is being with you.”

He pulled her to him, squeezed her to his chest. “You know I never intended on letting you go.”

“So you would have kept me against my will?”

“If that’s what it took.” He shrugged. “I figured you would have come to your senses eventually and realize you loved me.”

“So arrogant. And you?”

“Am a completely besotted fool over you.”

She smiled. “I thought so.” And then she kissed him.

Someone cleared his throat. “I’m pleased to see that you two have reconciled because I have a new assignment for you,” Harrison said.

Remy took Emma’s hand and pulled her toward the door. “We have something to attend to first, perhaps we shall get the details from you later.” And then they left the room. He pulled her close to him again, looked into her eyes. “Emma, it has always been you, only you. I shall endeavor to make you very happy.”

“You already have.”