Page 18 of Undercover Infidel
I showered and dressed quickly, determined to regain my equilibrium. By zero six hundred, I’d mademy way to the dining room, surprised to find it empty save for a breakfast spread and the always present tea.
“Mrs. Thorne anticipated you might rise early.” Bastion appeared at my shoulder, startling me. “Lord Blackmoor asked to be notified when you came down. He’s in his study.”
“Thank you, but there’s no need to disturb him. I can manage breakfast on my own.”
Bastion gave a slight bow and withdrew, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I was halfway through my first cup of tea when Con appeared in the doorway, bringing with him that peculiar energy that seemed to alter the air in any room he entered.
“You’re up early,” he said, pouring himself coffee.
“Viper called,” I responded flatly.
“Ah.” He studied me over his cup. “Is she anxious for your return to London?”
“More that I make progress on the Labyrinth investigation.” I met his gaze, searching for his reaction. Something flickered in his eyes before he steeled his expression.
I was about to tell him about my meeting with Dr. McLaren when his mobile buzzed.
Glancing at the screen, his eyebrows lifted. “Interesting timing. Tag’s invited us to Glenshadow for an early brunch. Ten hundred hours.” He set the phone on the table. “It would be the perfect opportunity to examine the monastery records we discussed last night.”
“It would be,” I muttered more than said. Here I was, falling right back under Con’s spell.
“Would that I could read your mind,” Con said with a half smile.
“I assure you that you do not.”
He chuckled. “Shall I accept or decline?”
I thought it over. “It is a holiday, after all.”
“My thoughts exactly.” He smirked. “Though I admit I’m curious about the segue.”
“As I said, Viper rang. Also?—”
“We’ll be back on the job full throttle, so to speak, tomorrow. For today, we have some time to kill. Shall we retreat to the operations hub and work ourselves silly or go for a morning walk?”
“A walk. Definitely.” Since we wouldn’t be back at work per se until tomorrow, I decided to wait to tell him about the meeting.
When we arrivedat Glenshadow a couple of hours later, Tag met us at the entrance. The old monastery loomed behind him, its stone walls and arched windows unchanged since medieval times.
“Con.” Tag clapped him on the shoulder, then extended his hand to me. “Dr. Sterling. Best wishes for the new year.”
“Same to you, and please, it’s Lex,” I corrected.
“Lex, then.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Everyone’s already here. And when I say everyone, I mean we have a surprise guest. Two, in fact.”
For a fraction of a second, I feared he was about to say Viper was here. It would be just like her.
“Who?” Con asked.
I held my breath and let it out when, instead of my boss, Tag said, “Ambrose.”
“What in the bloody hell?” Con gasped at the same time I did, albeit for an entirely different reason.
“I know. Given the number of invitations we extend to him—simply out of courtesy, not with the expectation he’ll accept—he chooses today to force me to add additional places at the table.”
“You said two guests.”
Tag looked at me. “Right. Yes, he has a friend visiting. I believe you know her. Dr. McLaren?”
