The Scarlet Spy (36 page)

Sofia burst out laughing. “Perhaps Lynsley should think of recruiting you to our ranks. You
do
have a gift for duplicity and deception.”

A knock on the door interrupted their embrace.

“Speak of the devil.” Osborne sighed. “I suppose we had better report for duty.”

“Right.” He felt her hesitate. “I don’t quite know how to break the news to him. Or to the duke. I’m far more skilled with weapons than with words.”

He took her hand. “Follow me. From now on, whether we are marching into the jaws of death or a ducal drawing room, we will do it together.”

“Osborne.” Surprise deepened the lines on the duke’s face as he looked up from the Roman coins he was studying.

“Forgive me for the unannounced intrusion. Your butler wished to stop me, but I wouldn’t take no for an answer.” A few hours of sleep and a change of clothing had improved his appearance to some degree, but Osborne did not doubt that his face still looked like hell. “I know I am not a very pretty picture at the moment. But I thought you would want to hear my news without delay.”

Sterling’s hand was trembling slightly as he set down his magnifying glass. “Has it something to do with Elizabeth’s locket?”

“Yes,” replied Osborne. “And with Robert’s death.”

“You mean to say the two are related?”

Osborne nodded.

“For the love of God, man, go on!”

“Actually, it is not for me to say more. The person you really wish to speak with is just outside the door. She, more than I, has been instrumental in seeing that the truth be brought to light.” He glanced back at the polished panels of oak. “Shall I ask her to come in?”

Sterling scraped back his chair and rose. “Please,” he whispered, his voice as unsteady as his legs.

Sofia took a tentative step into the room. She did not feel much like a Merlin at the moment. It was not confidence taking wing within her—it was a flock of nervous butterflies fluttering against her rib cage.

What to say? She felt tongue-tied. All her training seemed to desert her. She had never felt so awkward, so unsure.

“Don’t be shy, Lady Sofia.” Osborne came to her rescue, offering his arm and an encouraging wink in the same smooth motion. “Chin up, my dear,” he murmured. “You’ve faced far more fearsome challenges than this.”

“Hah,” she breathed, but his humor helped her relax.

“Contessa.” The duke held out his hands to greet her. “What a pleasant surprise.” He smiled, but he turned a questioning look to Osborne.

Osborne in turn regarded her.

“Perhaps you had best be seated, sir,” she said with a wry sigh. “My unexpected appearance here is likely to be the least of the surprises you will receive this afternoon.”

Osborne began to retreat toward the door.

“Deverill,” she said faintly, losing what little courage she had.

“I’ll be right outside, in case you have need of me. But I am confident this is one battle you can fight on your own.”

“Battle,” echoed Sterling. He eyed her with a mixture of concern and confusion. “The two of you look as though you’ve faced off against Lucifer and his legions. But I confess, I am bewildered by how this is linked to me and my family.”

Uncurling her fist, Sofia reached out and pressed the chain and locket into his unresisting hand.

The duke staggered slightly, as if the weight of the world had just been placed in his palm. “Where did you get this?”

“From the woman who looked after me as a young child. Who in turn received it—and me—from her sister…” She told the tale in a rush, watching the waves of conflicting emotion flood the duke’s face. Shock, sorrow, regret. But most of all, love.

“Why, that means you are …”

“Maybe not,” she said quickly. “We can never be truly sure, sir.”

His gaze met hers, and lines etched around his eyes seemed softened by the shimmering trickle of tears. “Oh, my dear, there is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind, now that I look at you closely. I see Elizabeth in the shape of your smile, the curve of your cheek, the strength of your character.” He opened his arms to her. “Welcome home, child.”

It was some time before either of them could speak again.

When finally Sofia lifted her head from her grandfather’s shoulder, she wasn’t sure whether she was laughing or crying. “Dear me, I fear this may take a while to get used to. My past has not schooled me for a life of privilege and wealth.”

Sterling sighed. “Which begs the question of how you came to be here in London, calling yourself Contessa della Silveri.”

“That was a cover,” admitted Sofia. She went on to give him a terse explanation of the Academy, Lord Lynsley’s role as secret spymaster, and her recent mission. “And so, in the end,” she summed up, “the miscreants have been caught and some measure of justice has been achieved for Lord Robert. Without his sacrifice, we would never have uncovered what was going on.”

The duke leaned back rather heavily against his chair. “A school for spies? Why, I’ve known Lynsley for years, and he never gave a hint at being involved in such dashing dangers.”

“He takes great care to hide his endeavors beneath a cloak of boring respectability.”

“Indeed, indeed,” mused Sterling. “Is Osborne also a part of your network?”

“Not officially,” murmured Sofia. “But he played a crucial role in defeating the enemy.”

“I will be sure to thank him and Lynsley. And you, my dear.” The duke reached out to twine his fingers with hers. As if drawing strength from her closeness, he squared his shoulders. “Like a phoenix, you rise from the ashes of loss. It is a miracle.”

“Merlins are said to have a bit of magic.”

“I quite believe it.” Sterling squeezed her hand. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you here after all these years, taking your rightful place in the bosom of your family.”

“It is only right to inform you that you are getting more than you bargained for, sir—”

“Please, you must call me Grandfather rather than sir, Sofia.”

It felt very strange on her tongue. But then, there were a great many things she would need to learn.
Practice makes perfect.
Smiling, she began anew. “What I meant to say, Grandfather, was that I hope you will not mind making room for yet another new family member. You see, Lord Osborne has proposed, and I have accepted. I hope you will not feel too crowded.”

Throwing back his head, the duke gave a hearty laugh. “The more, the merrier. Let us call in your betrothed, along with a bottle of champagne. This calls for a toast.”

“Indeed it does,” said Osborne, throwing open the door and signaling for the footman behind him to pop the cork. “To family.”

“To family.”

As the afternoon sun filled the duke’s gallery with a soft glow, Sofia watched Lynsley raise a salute and take a sip of his wine. It must be hard to swallow the loss of a well-trained agent, she reflected, though the marquess’s gentlemanly smile gave no hint of censure.

“Kind of you to stop by and offer your congratulations,” said Osborne. He rose from the worktable, where he and the duke were sketching plans for the wedding decorations, and drank from his own glass. “Thank you for accepting the news with such good grace.” A week had passed since the night of the fire, and the banns had just been posted.

The marquess sketched a polite bow. “I have learned in this business that one must be flexible. And pragmatic. All of the Merlins eventually leave the nest.” He turned to Sofia. “I wish you joy.”

“Thank you, sir.” She had found love, she had found family, she had found herself. The only sense of loss was in parting ways with the Academy. She must leave the dirt and the dangers behind now that she was taking her proper place in Society. It seemed impossible to think that the two worlds could ever coexist.

Sterling came over to shake Lynsley’s hand. “Forgive me, Thomas,” he said, wiping away a tear. “I seem to have turned into a watering pot in my old age. However, allow me to thank you for redeeming the death of one grandchild. And for bringing a lost one back to life.”

“I am not the Almighty, Henry. Merely a humble servant of the government. But I am happy to have been of some service to you.” The marquess did dart an ironic look at Osborne. “In all truth, I ought to be angry—I can ill-afford to lose such a sterling agent with Napoleon marching on Moscow.” He exaggerated a sigh. “But love conquers all.”

The duke laughed.

Sofia turned away, feeling the sting of salt in her eyes. The marquess was in many ways like the father she had never known. She was sorry for letting him down.

Lynsley, to his credit, did not harp on his disappointment. Indeed, he sounded quite jovial as he asked about plans for the wedding trip.

Sterling cocked his head. “I thought I mentioned to you that we are all going to my estate in Scotland for an extended stay. The Highland heather and moors around Craigellachie are lovely this time of year. The young people will have a chance to relax and recover from their ordeal. And I shall have an opportunity to become better acquainted with my granddaughter.”

“Ah, yes, you did mention something of the sort.” The marquess coughed and turned to Sofia. “I don’t suppose I could interest you in a small task while you are there? There are rumors of French agents infiltrating along the North Sea coast. I could use a pair of trained eyes to look around and report on the situation.” He drew out a crumpled map. “But, of course, you likely have other things on your mind.”

Sofia looked longingly at the weather-stained paper. “It
is
going to be awfully quiet there,” she murmured.

“It wouldn’t do to have a bored bride,” drawled Osborne. “However, if you wish to accept the marquess’s proposal, I will have to insist on an additional clause to be added to our marriage contract.”

“Which is?” she asked softly.

“That any danger we face, we face together.”

The duke clasped Lynsley’s arm. “Come, let us have a celebratory sherry in the library and leave the two of them to negotiate the terms in private.”

“An excellent suggestion,” said the marquess. “I hear you have a cask of the ’89 Amontillado in your cellar …”

Sofia waited for the door to close before letting out her breath. “This is no laughing matter, Deverill,” she said, seeing the smile on his face. “I nearly got you killed on this last assignment. I don’t want to force you into an arrangement you will come to resent.”

“My love, I never felt so alive as in these last few weeks. Neither of us would be satisfied with a life of indolent indulgence. We would be bored to flinders.”

“But you are the darling of Society. The
ton
looks up to you as a shining light of charm and wit. I …” Sofia looked around the room, taking in the sumptuous furnishings, the polished woods, the expensive art. “Your world is a comfortable one. I fear you will miss the accolades and attention.”

His smile faded, replaced by a crooked uncertainty. “The
ton
will find a new Lord Sunshine. They always do. As for me, the clever quips, the glitter, and the gaiety have long since lost their allure. I was more alone than you can ever know until I found you, Sofia.”

“Dev—”

Osborne’s arms were suddenly around her, strong and sure as he drew her against his chest. “No, hear me out, sweeting. The bon mots may come effortlessly to my lips, but talk of true feelings is not so easy. It is hard to find words for how much I admire your strength, your honor, your sense of purpose.” His lips were warm against her cheek. “So let me simply say again that I love you.”

Through her tears, the blue of his gaze was a shimmering sapphire blur. Sofia blinked. “Merlins aren’t meant to cry. We are trained to fly alone, but my heart is here with you. I know none of the fancy poetry of your world—”

Osborne silenced her halting words with a kiss. “We will make our own world, a balance between light and dark,” he murmured.

“That sounds beautiful beyond words.”

“Then let us go report for duty and get the details of our next mission from Lynsley.” But rather than release her, he swept her up into his arms and carried her to the sofa. “But not quite yet.”

It was some time before Sofia straightened her skirts and smoothed the errant curls from her cheeks. “We had better make an appearance. They will be wondering what became of us.”

He chuckled. “No, they won’t. However, I shall discipline my naughty desires for the moment and obey your command.”

She gave a mischievous grin. “Get used to it.”

His brow arched. “Now, just a moment! I must insist on equal rank. I would never live it down if my friends learned that my wife wore the trousers in the family.”

“Speaking of trousers, it goes without saying that I will wear breeches and boots for riding.”

Osborne flashed a wicked smile. “I’ve no objection to seeing your lovely legs—” As he opened the brass latch, a folded sheet of paper fell from between the door and the molding. It was sealed with a black wax wafer bearing the image of a hawk in flight.

“Hmmm.” After a long look, he handed it over to Sofia.

She cracked the seal and smoothed out the creases.

The towns to watch are Nairn, Fidhorn, Burghead, and Lossiemouth. I’ve arranged for a small yacht to be at your service. It will be anchored in the village of Spey Bay. Messages can be sent to me through the owner of The Gorse & Grouse.

Good hunting,

L.

One last thing—in consideration of his past services, tell Osborne he can consider himself a full-fledged Merlin.

He read it over her shoulder and laughed. “I have just one question.”

“What’s that, my love?”

“Do I get a tattoo?”

(Grand Central Publishing 0446-618004)

They were once orphans from London’s roughest slums. Now they are students of Mrs. Merlin’s Academy for Select Young Ladies, learning the art of spying and seduction. Bold, beautiful, and oh-so-dangerous, they are England’s ultimate secret weapons …