Page 97 of To Love A Spy
Lynsley lowered his weapon a touch. “Marco?”
“Si. What do you need me to do, sir? Shall I blow the door off its hinges?”
“Not necessary.” He opened it a crack. “As you see, there is no need for fireworks.”
“Santo Cielo. We feared you were being held against your will, sir. The barmaid said you were not alone, and we worried that you might be under considerable duress.”
“Actually, I was in bed, and quite comfortable until now.” He opened the door a touch wider, only to see Marco’s expression of concern twitch into one of bemusement. Given the rascal’s prowess with ladies, Lynsley imagined the fencing master didn’t need much of an imagination to guess that he hadn’t been sleeping.
“Of course, I am delighted to discover that you are alive, sir.” Marco craned his neck, trying to see inside the room.
Lynsley moved smoothly to block his view.
“Very alive,” added the fencing master with a wink, his gaze moving down to the marquess’s hastily assumed trousers with the buttons slotted into the wrong slots. “It’s nice to know that a gentleman man of your senior status is still up for the rigors of a mission.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence.” It was only now that Lynsley noticed the slim figure backing up Marco. “Now, may I ask what in the name of Hades the two of you are doing here?”
“Mounting a rescue mission,” replied Marco with a small smirk. “We feared you might need assistance.”
“As you see, you were mistaken.” Seeing that the young Merlin was fighting back a grin, Lynsley mustered his most lordly look and fixed her with a pointed stare. “Do you find something amusing, Verona?”
“No, sir!” she replied, straightening to parade ground attention.
“I wouldn’t think so,” he said softly. “Indeed, if I were you—an unfledged Merlin away from the nest without leave—I would be too busy contemplating the seriousness of my transgression to be chortling over the private life of my superior.”
Marco sobered as well. “The fault is all mine. I ordered her to accompany me. Any punishment?—”
“Any punishment will be mine to mete out as I see fit,” said Lynsley. He ran a hand through his hair, belated aware that great tufts of it were standing on end. Coupled with his naked chest, rumpled trousers and bare feet, he did not exactly cut a commanding presence.
The realization had him torn between maintaining a stern visage and cracking a schoolboy grin. “Now, if you don’t mind, I would prefer not to attract any more attention. Consider yourselves dismissed.”
Seeing that Verona’s hand was about tosnap up, Marco caught her wrist. “Dammit, don’t salute,cara,” he muttered.
Lynsley stilled the twitch of his lips. “I assume that as you managed to get here on your own, you will have no trouble returning.”
“No, sir.” Marco could not resist one last little stab of humor. “You are sure you wouldn’t like an armed escort for the journey home, sir? Just in case any trouble shouldarise.” He assumed an air of grave concern. “A man of your advanced years ought not be traveling alone.”
“Marco . . .” Lynsley leaned in a little closer to the fencing master. “You may take your blades and your banter and stick them where the sun doesn’t shine.”
The Italian swallowed a rumbled laugh. “I?—”
Valencia stepped out from her vantage point, still clad only in his shirt. “You heard your commanding officer.”
Marco stared in obvious admiration.
“Andiamo,” she added, flicking her knife toward the darkened stairwell. “Lord Lynsley already has someone watching his arse.”
It took a moment for Marco to master his mirth. “Come, Verona, I can see our talents are not needed after all.” Backingoff with the ashen-faced Merlin in tow, Marco blew an airy kiss. “Ciao, amico. Enjoy the rest of the night.”
Valencia edged away from the doorway and set down her blade. “Weren’t you were a little hard on the girl, Thomas? She looked terrified of you, and of losing her place at the Academy.”
“Verona?” Lynsley made a face. “I assure you, she doesn’t find me at all intimidating. She is even more rebellious than you were, and takes a certain delight in seeing how far she can push me.”
“Merlins are meant to fly in the face of authority,” reminded Valencia.
“And I am meant to clip their wings from time to time.” He closed the door and relocked the latch. “There is no harm in letting her stew a little over the possible consequences of her actions. It may also keep her from spreading the word of this little incident throughout the Academy. How very embarrassing to be caught with my trousers down.”
“On the contrary.” She pressed her palms to his shoulders. “I should think that a rumor of rakish scandal would only add to your storied reputation among the girls.”
