Page 2 of Whispers At Dawn
Lizzie’s heartbeat quickened at the thought of him going without her. Was that why he was so light-hearted today? Suddenly, the proposition of her leaving alone seemed infinitely better. She’d much rather be the agent in action, than be waiting at Baker Street, pining for Jack and fearing the worst as the hours crawled by. She’d experienced that scenario before, when he’d stayed undercover in France, and she’d returned to London. It was awful, and she had no desire to relive it.
‘You are altogether too cheerful,’ she said. ‘What’s the mission, exactly?’
Jack raised an eyebrow. ‘You read me like a book.’
‘It must be one of my gifts, too. Come on, what is it? Do they want you this time?’ Lizzie did her best to hide her distress, but she heard her voice crack.
Jack nodded, and Lizzie’s stomach lurched.
It was as she suspected, then, so she steeled herself for what was to come.
‘When do you fly out?’ she asked, her voice low, and her chest tight.
‘When dowefly out?’ Jack replied. ‘That’s the question you need to ask.’
Lizzie sputtered and her green eyes widened. ‘We? Oh, my goodness, I can hardly believe it. Tell me everything.’
Jack pulled out a chair and Lizzie sat down, relief cascading through her.
‘I’ll grab us some coffee and be back in a minute,’ he said.
Lizzie nodded, trying to calm her whirring thoughts. ‘Coffee would be good. Thank you.’
Jack strode across the room. The door closed behind him, and Lizzie was alone again with the ticking of the clock and her frantic thoughts.
Could it be true they were finally undertaking a mission together in occupied France?
CHAPTER 2
‘Ican’t believe our good fortune!’ Lizzie squealed when Jack told her the plan was for them to go undercover together in an operation in Vichy controlled South of France.
Jack raised his finger to his mouth. ‘You’ll give us away. I’m certain no one in the history of Military Intelligence has been this excited to venture behind enemy lines indefinitely.’
Lizzie lowered the pitch of her voice so only he could hear. ‘You’re right. If they suspect us, it’ll be called off in a flash, and they’ll probably send one of the newer recruits with you.’
Jack’s lips tugged into a mischievous smile. ‘I did argue for you not to accompany me.’
Lizzie punched his arm lightly. ‘Of course you did. I’m sure Val would be suspicious if you didn’t try to stop me going. You never want me to have any of the fun.’
Jack held up his hands in a gesture of mock surrender. ‘You are a dangerous woman, Seagrove. If going into occupied France is your idea of fun, I confess I’m at a loss how to protect you.’
‘You always protect me, Raven,’ Lizzie whispered, using his codename. ‘But seriously, you must see it’s the most perfect opportunity for us to be together like a proper couple. You’re always saying we would be married by now if it weren’t for thewar. Now, we can enjoy all the perks of married life and not be forced to live apart. And with the agency’s blessing, too!’
Jack smiled at Lizzie’s enthusiasm, which he found contagious. It was just as well they were alone, because anyone would see at a glance how besotted he was with the young woman at his side. ‘You really are one of a kind, my darling. Anyone would think we had just won an all-expenses paid trip to the South of France. Have you forgotten there’s a bloody war on and we’ll be lucky if we get out alive?’
Lizzie shook her head, her red lips curving into a warm smile and her eyes twinkling. ‘I haven’t forgotten. But I dreaded leaving you again, or even worse, you away without me. Going together is like a gift from the gods. Besides, itisan all-expenses paid trip.’
‘Only if you don’t count the considerable price that will be on our heads the longer we stay.’ Jack snorted and slid his arms around Lizzie, and they stood there swaying silently for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.
‘I’ve got to scoot off to an emergency meeting soon. The Dutch section wants me to advise on a situation,’ Jack said, breaking the silence.
‘You’re always in demand. I hope I can be like you one day.’ Lizzie was only half joking. Jack was one of the most experienced agents in Military Intelligence, and the fledgeling country-targeted sections of the SOE called on him to share his expertise.
Jack King was a legend in the field and was fast becoming one at Baker Street, too.
He droppeda kiss on Lizzie’s pert nose. ‘Stay exactly as you are, please. You are already perfect. Lord, help me if you become a crotchety old spy like me.’
Lizzie glowed under his appreciative gaze, like a cat basking in the sun. ‘Will I see you later?’
