Page 70 of Irresistible
“Fascinating. You’ll need to draft a written report while everything is fresh in your mind.”
“Why, so someone can read it and burn it?” Jesswastired. She hadn’t meant to be sarcastic, but was she really meant to write something down after being told she must never do so?
Lady Pickering’s eyes crinkled at the corners, the only hint she was amused by Jess’s question. “Mission reports are kept under lock and key at the Foreign Office. These are important for historical purposes and to have a record. When you have it finished, let me know, and we’ll have it handled appropriately. Do be careful not to let anyone see what you are doing. I suggest writing it in one sitting, without interruption, and never letting it leave your sight until it is delivered to the assigned person.”
“Who would that be?” Jess asked.
“I don’t know yet. It may be me. Be as detailed as possible. That is crucial.”
“And my compensation?”
“Will be delivered to you as soon as we return to London.” Lady Pickering pressed her lips together firmly as her gaze shot to the door.
The butler entered with the tray and brought it to the table.
“Thank you, Daniels. I will pour.”
Inclining his head, the butler turned and left.
When he was gone, Lady Pickering poured the tea. “Now, tell me how things went between you and Fallin. I notice you call him Dougal, but I suppose that’s to be expected given the roles you were playing.” She handed Jess her cup and tipped her head to the side. “I can’t tell if you got on well or not. Did you?”
“Yes. It was most…enlightening. He did well, introducing me to this type of work. He’s very good at it. The Chesmores liked him and trusted him, as did the servants with whom I saw him interact.” In her mind, Jess was also drafting a report about him since that would likely be required. Presumably, someone would contact her about that, but how could she know? She couldn’t mention that to Lady Pickering, of course. “It’s a shame he won’t be doing this anymore.”
Lady Pickering had picked up a biscuit and now froze while lifting it toward her mouth. “What’s that?”
Damn and blast. Jess hadn’t thought that Lady Pickering wouldn’t be aware of his plans. It wasn’t a secret that his brother had died and he was now the heir. “You know his circumstances have changed,” Jess said smoothly, hoping she hadn’t spoken out of turn, but also not seeing how she could have.
“Yes. I just didn’t realize he would be leaving so soon.” She frowned at the biscuit before taking a bite. A moment later, she murmured, “Such a pity.”
Jess sipped her tea, nervous about what came next. She’d been so excited for this mission, but now that it was finished, she wasn’t entirely certain how she felt about working for the Foreign Office. Her favorite parts were all to do with the scheme of pretending to be Dougal’s wife, not the investigating and not even the cryptography. Furthermore, she wasn’t sure she could be as secretive and guarded as necessary or if she wanted to be. She’d watched as Dougal had closed up during their trip to Lady Pickering’s. Then, upon arrival, her “husband,” Dougal Smythe, had just disappeared. She was honestly curious how he would react to her when they met in the future.
Except they likely never would.
Chapter16
After spending the night at a small inn near Frimley, Dougal continued on to London, arriving at his house on Grosvenor Street by late morning. He went directly to bed and slept until dinner.
Bathed and refreshed, he read his correspondence, including a letter from his father. He asked when Dougal was coming home and hoped it would be soon. The ache Dougal had buried since Alistair’s death rose to the surface. As if losing Alistair hadn’t been awful enough, now he must prepare to lose his father too.
And give up the thing he loved and that defined him. God, he sounded so bloody selfish.
Dougal left for the Phoenix Club, intent on seeing Lucien and informing him about his mission. Tomorrow, he’d document his report and take it to the Foreign Office. He also planned to read whatever reports he could find about his failed missions. He hoped he wasn’t the only person who’d documented the assignments.
As it was Tuesday, it was difficult not to recall that it had been only a week ago that Dougal had been at the club. When he’d met “Mrs. Smythe” for the first time. How had that only been a week? It seemed as if they’d spent much longer together. Certainly, her impact felt greater.
He’d never imagined he’d experience the sense of comfort and domesticity that he had with Jess. He would greatly miss their breakfasts, their chats before going to sleep at night, and just the simple act oflivingwith someone. He’d always expected to be alone. What’s more, he’d not once thought that was anything but fine.
Now, however, he was having different thoughts. Was that because of his time with Jess or because he knew that as earl, he needed to find a wife, that being alone was no longer an option? He couldn’t deny that Jess had evoked something in him, that he’d shared things with her that he hadn’t with any other woman.
Dougal entered the Phoenix Club and found it typically busy for a Tuesday night. He nodded to people he knew, but didn’t pause to talk. Going straight to the stairs, he went up to Lucien’s office on the first floor, hoping he’d find him there. Instead, he met him at the landing.
“Dougal, you’re back already,” Lucien said. “I hope that means you had a productive trip?”
“I’ll tell you about it.” Dougal inclined his head toward Lucien’s office to the right.
Lucien gestured for him to precede him. “Lead the way.”
Once inside, Dougal went to where Lucien kept his liquor and poured himself a glass of Scottish whisky. He heard the door snick closed and asked Lucien what he wanted to drink.
