Page 7 of Irresistible
“She’s an excellent cryptographer. You will need her expertise on this mission.”
No, she wasn’t going to tell him. Leaving that alone, Dougal pressed to get to the heart of the matter. “What is this mission exactly?”
“You and Miss Goodfellow will travel to the Dorset coast as Mr. and Mrs. Smythe. You’re on your way to Poole, and your coach will become incapacitated, necessitating you to seek help from Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Chesmore. We received a letter from their housekeeper, Mrs. Farr, about suspicious activity.”
Dougal watched Miss Goodfellow from the corner of his eye. She leaned slightly forward, her attention rapt as she hung on Lady Pickering’s every word. Oh, she was very green. And they had just aweekto prepare her.
“Mrs. Farr reports that they speak to each other in French and take many outings where they draw pictures and write. They also shoot at targets every week. The most damning piece of evidence is a parchment she found with lines of numbers.”
“A code,” Dougal interjected.
Lady Pickering nodded. “It sounds like it. Unfortunately, she did not send the letter to us as she feared they would notice if it went missing.”
“They may be French spies,” Dougal said. He’d conducted many of these kinds of investigations. He still didn’t understand why it was necessary that he have a partner, let alone a pretend wife.
“Yes.”
Miss Goodfellow frowned slightly. “But we are finally at peace with France.”
A subtle headache began at the back of Dougal’s head. “If you think they aren’t spying on us even in peacetime, you don’t know a thing about international affairs.”
“I am eager to learn,” Miss Goodfellow said quietly, her cheeks tinging a faint pink.
“And you will, my dear.” Lady Pickering gave her an encouraging nod. “Quickly too, since you leave in a week.” She turned her attention back to Dougal. “I’m sure you’re wondering why a partner is necessary. In this instance, you must befriend the Chesmores and become as close to them as possible. The best and most expedient way for you to do that is to be guests at their home. From what little we know of them, they are inclined to make friends with other couples, not individuals.”
Dougal nodded in understanding. “After our coach suffers an accident, we’ll need a place to spend the night. And they will like us so much, they’ll invite us to stay.” He’d executed similar schemes on many occasions.
“Precisely. Once you are ensconced in their home, you will search for a coded letter, and Miss Goodfellow will break the code.”
“Assuming we find a letter,” Dougal said. “I would think they’d write the letter and deliver it to a courier. It’s possible we won’t find a letter at all.”
“That is true.” Lady Pickering fixed him with an expectant stare. “I trust you will exhaust every opportunity to obtain one, however.”
“That goes without question,” Dougal assured her.
“We will also determine the purpose of their suspicious activities,” Miss Goodfellow added.
Lady Pickering’s gaze took on a sheen of approval. “You see, Fallin, Miss Goodfellow will do very well indeed.”
“Time will tell. If she can’t master a disguise or the ability to act the role she’s given, her cryptography skills and intellect won’t matter.”
“I hope you aren’t being defeatist,” Lady Pickering said with an edge that didn’t prick Dougal in the slightest. She was tough and said exactly what she desired, particularly in these instances when they discussed their work with the Foreign Office. Not that she was officially affiliated with it. In her words, she merely helped from time to time.
“I am being circumspect, which is another thing for which I am valued,” Dougal said a bit sharply. “You wouldn’t want me to be any other way.”
“I suppose that’s true, but I do hope you’ll be kind and supportive of Miss Goodfellow. I understand this is a change for you, but it is necessary. The Chesmores are known for entertaining other couples. Hence, you will undertake this mission together.”
Dougal understood how these things worked. He knew how to burrow deep into a role in order to obtain the necessary information. Or to plant information. He leveled his gaze on Lady Pickering. “I will execute my responsibilities as I always do.” He just wasn’t going to do it right now. He needed solitude and sleep in a bed that didn’t jostle.
“Excellent,” Lady Pickering said crisply. “Miss Goodfellow will have her first fitting tomorrow for her new wardrobe. We will also work on her disguise.” She flicked a look toward Lucien. “All is arranged?”
“Yes. She’s expecting you. And before you ask, she does not know the specifics, and she is too smart to ask.”
“Who is that?” Miss Goodfellow asked.
“You’ll find out tomorrow,” Dougal said, turning his head toward her. “This is your first lesson—don’t ask questions.”
“You asked questions,” the young lady said with a touch of heat.
