Page 64 of Irresistible
“I don’t know that I’d fully formed it. I’m still considering all that’s happened. Perhaps my hesitation to exonerate them is due to my inexperience. Or my eagerness. Somehow, I feel as though I’ve failed to deliver what was expected.”
“Not at all. We’ve done our duty.”
“Yes, you said that last night.”
He could tell she wasn’t convinced. “I suspect you’re right. This is your first assignment, and it didn’t turn out the way you anticipated. You fully expected the Chesmores to be spies.”
“I suppose I did. Even after I liked them,” she added, shaking her head. “I don’t enjoy admitting that.”
He chuckled. “You are really too hard on yourself. Take your time to consider everything if that will make you feel better.”
She narrowed one eye at him. “Will it matter? It seems you’ve already decided they aren’t spies. I don’t expect I’d be able to convince you otherwise.”
“Not true. I’m open to new evidence. Which is why I want to speak with Mrs. Farr. We’ll lay everything out and give her the opportunity to add anything she may have forgotten or missed. Her reaction will be important. It may be that she acknowledges she was being overly cautious—which the Foreign Office appreciates. It’s always better to be too careful than not careful enough.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Jess said, lifting her teacup. “I do think I’m just having to adjust my expectations. In the end, I am relieved the Chesmores aren’t traitors. And I honestly don’t think they’d be able to do it. They just can’t be that secretive.” She sipped her tea and set the cup back in the saucer. “All right, I’m convinced. Forgive my amateur uncertainty.”
He laughed again, then reached across the table to take her hand. “No more disparagement. You are learning, and from what I can see, you’ve the makings of an excellent spy.” How he’d love to watch her blossom. Instead, he’d be in Scotland, learning to be an earl.
Her features softened, and underneath Mrs. Smythe’s cosmetics, he saw the woman who’d brought him immeasurable pleasure. More than once. “Why, thank you,” she said softly. “That means a great deal to me, coming from you.”
Reluctantly, he let her go and sat back in his chair. “Even though we will tell them we are from the Foreign Office, we must continue to be the Smythes. It’s best if they know as little about us as possible.”
“That means we maintain the Welsh accents?”
“Yes.”
Jess’s forehead creased. “And why would we tell them we are from the Foreign Office?”
“In some cases, I do not. However, I rather like the Chesmores, and I think they should be aware of how their behavior looks.”
“You don’t think they’ll tell anyone we are from the Foreign Office?”
“Do you?” he asked wryly.
Jess shook her head with a slight smile. “Not if you tell them not to.”
“Agreed. Now, let us finish our breakfast and go in search of Mrs. Farr.” Dougal could have dwelled in here all day. Indeed, he could have gleefully told the Chesmores that both he and Jess were suffering from headaches and would need to spend the day abed.
He couldn’t think of a place he’d rather be.
Alas, there was work to be done. For the last time.
Ashort while later, they found Mrs. Farr in the dining room setting things to rights after last night’s party. She was clearing the table of candelabras and flower arrangements.
“Good morning, Mrs. Farr,” Jess said warmly.
The young housekeeper, whose back was to them as she set a candelabra on the sideboard, jumped, dropping the piece to the floor. The candles clattered out of the silver, and she hurriedly knelt to clean up the mess.
Jess rushed to help her. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Dougal moved to pick up the remains of a candle that had rolled off the carpet onto the wood floor. He set the stub on the sideboard as Jess and Mrs. Farr did the same with what they’d collected.
“I didn’t hear you come in,” Mrs. Farr said. “Is all well?” She looked to Jess. “I do hope you’re feeling better this morning, Mrs. Smythe.”
“I am, thank you. We are both quite well. We were, in fact, hoping to find you.”
The housekeeper clasped her hands. “How may I be of service?”
