Page 18 of To Love A Spy
“Does Mr. Tremaine have a wife?” she inquired.
“I am not sure. This was rather a spur of the moment decision, so I am somewhat lacking in background information. It will, of course, be easy enough to find out.”
“You did not used to take such risks, milord.”
“In this case, I was given little choice.”
Valencia studied the grain of the tabletop for a moment. “And from there it is on to Paris?”
“Precisely.”
“What are we after?” She lifted her gaze “Aside from Pierre Rochambert’s head on a platter.”
“Put aside your emotions, Valencia. Our mission is far more important than taking revenge on one of the Emperor’sassassins. If you cannot accept that, tell me now and I will find my way back to London.”
“I understand, sir. My attempt at humor was ill-advised.”
Lynsley’s expression softened a touch. “I am merely asking you to understand that I am deadly serious about our ultimate goal. Nothing must interfere with our ability to think and act dispassionately. A great many lives may be saved if we do our job correctly.” He allowed a quirk of his lips. “As for humor, it is always an invaluable weapon in keeping things in perspective.”
Repressing a smile, she nodded. It struck her as slightly ironic that the inscrutable Lord Lynsley was lecturing her on humor. She could recall several instances in the distant past when her overexuberant spirits during Academy field maneuvers had earned her serious demerits. In fact, it was the marquess himself who had meted out a month of mucking the stables as punishment for placing a stink bomb in the artillery master’s gun box.
In the past, she had been carefree to a fault. Unlike now.
“Our goal?” she murmured, shaking off such reveries.
“To steal a coded scientific formula, along with a sample of the chemical concoction. We have recently learned that the French have gotten their hands on an ancient manuscript that spells out the makings of an explosive new substance—a potent weapon of destruction that ignites a fire resistant to water.”
Valencia’s eyes widened. “Good Lord, “ she whispered. “But that means our Navy would be?—”
“Helpless in the face of such a threat.” finished Lynsley. “Indeed. So now you understand why I could not say no when Bathurst asked me to handle the mission.”
What she also understood was how difficult and dangerous a mission this was going to be. He had yet to spell out the specifics but she had no illusions that gaining access to such a vital document was going to be easy.
Not with Pierre Rochambert standing guard over it.
That Lynsley had chosen to undertake the task himself, rather than send one of the woman warriors under his command made her regret her earlier sarcasm. Not that his action surprised her. Valencia swallowed hard. Deep down, she had always sensed he was a man of great compassion, as well as a man of honor and integrity.
“Having second thoughts?” he inquired softly. “I would not blame you in the least if you wish to reconsider.”
“On the contrary, I am even more determined to see this through.” She shot a glance at the clock atop her cupboard. “There are still several hours until the tide turns. Get some more rest, sir. I will go arrange our transportation.”
“Perhaps I should go with you?—“
“Not necessary,” she said brusquely. “In fact. I would rather handle the initial negotiations by myself.”
He lifted a brow. “You have contacts with the, er, right sort of people to sail to France without asking any questions.”
A smile spread over her face. “Lord Lynsley, as I own the only tavern in Maseline Harbor, I know every vessel and every sailor on this island, including those who would sail up the River Styx if the price was right. You will have your boat, sir. But it may cost you dear.”
His lips twitched. “May I start a tab? I assure you, I am good for the blunt.”
“Whitehall can also bloody well pay my expenses for hiring someone to run the place while I am away.”
“Agreed,” replied the marquess.
“I’ll be back shortly. Be ready to shove off.”
Valencia returned within the hour, having found her friend both willing and sober.
