Page 6 of Irresistible
Dougal waved his hand. “I’ve traveled a great distance as quickly as possible due to this urgent matter. I’d prefer we got right to it.”
“How are things with your father?” Lucien asked, concern etched into his features.
That was not an easily answered question. It went beyond Alistair’s sudden death. Dougal was overwhelmed and didn’t want to think about it. Part of him had been relieved to be called back so he could delay the inevitable.
He responded simply. “As you would expect. He lost his son.” Damn, he hadn’t meant to sound angry. He wanted to blame exhaustion, but the truth was that hewasangry. It wasn’t fair that Alistair was gone. He was the heir. Dougal was the one who’d chosen a life with risk. If either of them should have died young, it ought to have been him. He swept his hat from his head and ran his hand down his face from his temple to his jaw. “I don’t mean to be ill-tempered.”
Lucien’s dark gaze was sympathetic. “You’ve every right to be however you like. However youneed.”
“It was difficult to leave my father.” Because he’d revealed that he was in poor health, that within the next year or two, Dougal would be the earl. Just thinking of that filled him with anguish, which was why he’d been trying not to. He loved his father more than anything.
“I shouldn’t have asked you to come.” Lucien swore softly. “I wouldn’t have, but the Foreign Office wants you. Still, I can tell them you can’t, that your grief could prevent you from executing the mission.”
Dougal gave him a surly stare. “I’d rather you didn’t lead them to believe I’m not up to the task.” His time with the Foreign Office was now temporary, and he didn’t want to leave with them thinking he was a failure. This situation wouldn’t have been enough to be concerned about that, but after the two missions last spring had ended badly, there was every reason to expect his superiors might find him lacking. He’d worked too hard and was too committed to his duty to the crown to allow that to happen. He wanted to leave on his terms. Actually, he didn’t want to leave at all.
“There’s no shame in that,” Lucien said. “Your brother died. Your father needs you. You’ve… Well, things are different now.”
“Because I’m suddenly heir to the Earl of Stirling,” Dougal said flatly. “I never imagined to be in this position, nor did I ever want to be.” He’d become an integral part of the Foreign Office, operating as their chief investigator in the United Kingdom, and he loved his work.
Lucien inclined his head. “They can find another investigator for this task.” In a matter of time, they would have to.
Dougal shoved that upsetting thought away. “No one does what I do. Not here, anyway. It’s fine, Lucien.I’mfine.” Besides, Dougal was actually glad for the interruption. While he felt guilty for leaving his father, the truth was that he didn’t want to wallow in grieforanger. What’s more, Alistair’s death had interfered with Dougal’s investigation into his two failed missions. “Tell me why I’ve hurried back.”
“A mission to the Dorset coast. You leave in a week.”
Dougal frowned. “If I don’t leave for a week, why am I here now?”
Lucien hesitated the barest moment. “Because you need time to prepare with your partner.”
“Mywhat?”
Voices in the hall interrupted further conversation, because a moment later, Lucien’s butler announced the arrival of Lady Pickering and Miss Jessamine Goodfellow. Dougal was very familiar with Lady Pickering, but the other white woman was unknown to him. Taller than most ladies, Miss Goodfellow possessed vivid cobalt eyes that assessed him with a keen curiosity. Indeed, her unabashed attention could only mean one thing—that she was to be his partner.
Lady Pickering moved her vigilant gaze toward him. “I’m pleased you could arrive so quickly, Lord Fallin. I do apologize that you were called away at this time.”
Dougal inclined his head. “I am always eager to serve.”
“One of your best qualities.” Lady Pickering turned slightly toward the young lady. “Jessamine, this is Lord Fallin.” Lady Pickering then looked to Dougal. “Allow me to present Miss Jessamine Goodfellow. She will be your wife on this endeavor.”
“Mywhat?” First, he had a partner, and now he had awife? “I have always worked alone.”
“Not in this case.” Lady Pickering shifted her attention to Lucien. “Didn’t you explain?”
“He’s only just arrived,” Lucien said. “I hadn’t yet provided the details of the mission.”
“I see,” Lady Pickering murmured. It was hard to discern if she was perturbed. She disliked when her expectations were not met. “Let us sit, and I shall explain.”
The seating arrangement in Lucien’s small study was rather compact, offering just two chairs and a settee. Lucien took his favorite chair, as to be expected, and before Dougal could take the other, Lady Pickering lowered herself to the cushion. That left Dougal to join Miss Goodfellow on the settee.
“I suggest you get used to sitting together,” Lady Pickering said, as if she could read Dougal’s mind.
Dougal sat beside his “wife,” but not too close. Miss Goodfellow turned her head toward him. A few light brown curls grazed her temples. His gaze traveled down the high arc of her elegant cheekbones to her pink, bow-shaped mouth. Her lips were on the thinner side, her chin more prominent. She was pretty, but not a classical beauty, and that made her a good choice for espionage.
She smiled, which somehow made the entrancing blue of her eyes even more brilliant. “I’m looking forward to working with you.” Her eagerness was more than evident. Dougal could see and feel her excitement as if electricity leapt from her flesh.
“Miss Goodfellow is a new recruit,” Lady Pickering said, as if that weren’t obvious. It wasn’t that Dougal knew all the other investigators. For the sake of secrecy and the protection of others like him, he communicated with only a few people who worked for the Foreign Office. But the young woman’s enthusiasm and openness revealed her as an amateur.
“I can see that,” Dougal said. “How was she recruited?” He didn’t really expect an answer. He still didn’t know how Lady Pickering had come to be involved with the Foreign Office or why she insisted on saying she didnotwork for them.
