Page 5 of Irresistible
“I understand.” It was more than a trifle overwhelming, but didn’t she want that? She’d been longing to feel challenged, to be excited for something.
“Good. Tomorrow, you will see the modiste who will fit your new wardrobe. We will go on an errand without Kathleen, not that she will mind.” Lady Pickering was right that Kat wouldn’t care at all that she was left out of an errand. Unless they were going to a museum, library, or bookstore. “Remember, you cannot tell her anything at all.”
Jess nodded. Her mind kept turning back to the fact that she was to pretend to be married. Married couples behaved in many ways. Were they to pretend to be in love? Share a chamber? A bed? “How married will Mr. Smythe and I be?”
Lady Pickering’s features mellowed, and she gave Jess a slight smile. This was the expression that made her the most approachable—when she seemed to let down her commanding exterior. “I think I understand. Don’t be concerned, behind closed doors, everything will be quite respectable, I assure you.”
Jess could almost hear her mother shrieking in horror, screaming that Jess would be ruined. “No one will know who I am?”
“You will be disguised with a wig, and you will learn to comport yourself differently. You should not be recognized, especially given the remote location of this mission. You will be on the Dorset coast. Indeed, it is possible the only people you will encounter are those you are investigating. And their household, of course.”
Jess had many concerns and reservations, but the thrill of this opportunity far outweighed any of that. Still, her parents would return to London in several weeks, and if she was still in Dorset, her absence would be noted. Furthermore, what would she tell Kat? “How will my absence be explained?”
“You are going to accompany me to my home near Winchester for a visit. This allows me to travel with you for part of the way to your destination. Your partner will meet you at my home, and you will continue from there.”
“What about Kat?” Jess asked since Lady Pickering was also her chaperone.
“Wexford will be back before then.”
Jess hadn’t realized her time with Kat was coming to an end so soon. “You’ll remain near Winchester while I’m on this mission?” Jess wondered how long that might be.
“I’ll stay for a week, but if you take longer than that, I’ll return to London and simply say you are enjoying your time in Hampshire.” She spoke with a confidence that demonstrated she wasn’t the least concerned how this would work. It was likely she’d done this many times.
“You must work for the Foreign Office,” Jess said.
Lady Pickering pressed her lips together. “I do not. I help with things from time to time.” Her gaze held Jess’s for a moment. “It’s best if you don’t think too much on me or how this assignment came about.”
On the contrary, Jess would think about those things a great deal. Lady Pickering wasn’t aware of the full scope of Jess’s assignment. She would need to learn to question everything and everyone as she conducted her investigation.
Lady Pickering stood. “You ought to go on your walk with Kathleen.”
As Jess rose, she felt suddenly taller, more substantial. She also felt light and giddy, the latter of which she tamped down. Shemustcontain her enthusiasm.
That’s easy—just think about pretending to be some stranger’s wife. And trying to determine if he’s working against the crown.
Jess wiped her brow as Lady Pickering left the library. Moving toward the doorway, Jess wished she’d asked more about Mr. Smythe. She knew nothing other than that he was an experienced spy.
That wasn’t precisely true. She also knew he wasn’t to be trusted.No onewas to be trusted, not even Lady Pickering. It seemed Jess would need to maintain an extraordinary level of secrecy from absolutely everyone.
She suddenly thought of her mother. She’d be apoplectic if she found out. And her father? Jess couldn’t decide how he’d react. Nor could she guess if he’d express himself at all. He typically left that to her mother.
Thankfully, they wouldn’t know a thing. Lady Pickering had planned everything—or someone had, and she was merely executing the details.
Before Jess stepped from the room, Lady Pickering came back toward her, another piece of paper clasped in her hand. “There’s a slight change in plans. Your partner has returned to town, and you’ll meet him this evening. Be ready to depart at half six.”
Lady Pickering turned, leaving Jess to stare at her back and wonder how she was going to quash her anticipation for the rest of the afternoon. She’d have to manage it since hiding things was something she needed to master—and quickly.
Chapter2
Dougal walked into Lucien’s compact study at the rear of his small, terraced townhouse. He’d stopped at home earlier, which meant he was no longer covered in the grime of the Great North Road. He was, however, still cloaked in a lingering sadness and unease. Sadness due to Alistair’s death and unease at having to leave their father, even though he’d understood Dougal’s need to return to London.
No sooner had Dougal stepped into the study than Lucien entered behind him.
“Lord Fallin, you are returned.” Lucien bowed, which was completely unnecessary.
“You don’t need to call me that.” Dougal’s brother Alistair had been the Viscount Fallin for Dougal’s entire life. Dougal was still trying to learn to answer to that name. “And don’t bow.”
Lucien grimaced slightly and inclined his head. “My apologies. I was trying to make light, and I shouldn’t have. I should have realized you would still be grieving. Indeed, I am sorry to have summoned you back to London.” He turned toward the sideboard where he kept his liquor. “Drink?”
