Page 24 of To Love A Spy
“Of disappointing you, that is,” she quickly added. “We knew how much you believed in us, and we never wanted to let you down. Even though the Academy is sequestered from the outside world, it was well-known that people thought you were crazy to put your trust in a band of rag-tag orphans from the London stews.
Lynsley made a wry face. “That is putting it politely.”
Valencia smiled, then suddenly felt compelled to ask, “Why did you do it, sir? Found the Academy, I mean.”
When he didn’t answer right away, she thought he meant to ignore the question. But after a stretch of silence, he responded.
“Sometimes one has to step outside the boundaries of conformity to achieve real change.” Though his expression remained impassive, his voice seemed to warm to the subject. “I read a book on Hasan-I-Sabah, a Muslim caliph who raised a secret society of warriors at his mountain citadels. His men were known for their deadly skills and fanatic loyalty. The caliph used them only in times of dire danger to his rule, and legend had it they never failed on a mission. The very nameHashishim—or Assassins—was enough to strike terror in the heart of the Master’s enemy.”
He paused. “It got me to thinking . . .”
“For a staid aristocrat, you have some very revolutionary ideas. It’s a wonder they didn’t march you off to Bedlam.”
“More than one Minister was sorely tempted to have me committed,” he replied with a wry smile. “But in the end, I convinced the government to give us an old estate that was being used as cavalry pastures. I pay all the operating expensesout of my own pocket, and Mrs. Merlin oversees the day-to-day administration.”
“No wonder part of our basic training stressed that we should never be afraid of taking a bold initiative if we were sure we were right. Even if it meant risking a few demerits.”
Lynsley smiled. “You were never afraid of challenging me, that’s for sure.”
Recalling some of her youthful transgressions, Valencia couldn’t help but grimace. “I was a rebellious little hellion at times, wasn’t I? Considering how often I provoked a clash of wills, I’m surprised you didn’t drum me out of the service.”
He considered her words for a moment before answering, “You had a hair-trigger temper and a certain streak of stubbornness. But they were far overshadowed by your indomitable courage and code of honor. You held yourself to a higher standard that I ever did.” Shadows fell across his face as the carriage wheels bumped over the rutted road. The scudding shapes clouded his eyes, concealing all but a flicker of brooding introspection.
Was he, too, second-guessing those past decisions?she wondered.
“I always believed that in the moment of truth, you would do the right thing,” he finished.
Right. Or wrong. There was no room for error. In their world, life came down to split-second decisions.
“Sorry to have let you down, ” she snapped.
So much for her recent resolve to remain even-tempered.The reminder, however oblique, of her shortcoming was like setting a match to tinder.
The old anger flared to flames inside her.
“God knows, it isn’t often that the Almighty Lord Lynsley makes an error in judgment,” she added.
His arm tightened around her. “You didn’t let me down, Valencia,” he replied, ignoring her sarcasm. “If anything, it is the other way around.”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“I should have anticipated that an agent as experienced as Rochambert would have doubled back to make sure that his man was not being followed,” he said softly. “I should have sent in reinforcements.”
“Ishould have been more alert. I was careless and overconfident. I let down my guard.”
“Valencia . . .”
She finally freed herself from his arms and slid across the seat. “Please, I thought we had agreed not rehash the past. We have enough to worry about in our future.” Smoothing at her skirts, she was horrified to see her hands were trembling. Fisting the folds of the blanket, she yanked it over her legs, hoping to cover her weakness with a flurry of fury.
“Damn it, I don’t need you to remind me that my last mission ended in a woeful dereliction of duty. It willnothappen again.”
She had forgotten how breathtakingly blue his eyes looked in a certain shade of light. Like slivers of aquamarine, reflecting a myriad of subtle facets—pure, polished, perfect.
And piercing as razored steel.
Lynsley held her gaze for an instant longer before reaching over for the extra blanket folded on the seat. “It looks like we are in for a spot of rain. You may need this to ward off the chill.”
“Thank you,” she muttered, uncomfortably aware of how ungracious she sounded. “Now, if you don’t mind, I am going to try to get some sleep. We have a long road ahead of us.”
