Page 56 of A Season for Treason (Deception and Discipline 1)

“We can trust him,” Mary said quietly, repeating what she had said to her friends before Evie agreed to call Rex over. Not only could they, but in truth, theyhadto. Unlike her, he actually knew all the players in the Society. She also suspected he might keep her away from the Society without a good reason otherwise. The way he had reacted to her questions about their next event had not been promising.

After a long moment of scrutiny, Evie finally nodded her head.

“Let us sit down.” She gestured to the blanket Lily had set up.

Settling beside Rex, facing her friends, Mary could not help but feel as though the placement set her at odds against the other three, which was not what she wanted… yet she did not want Rex to feel as though she was set against him either. This was far more difficult than she had anticipated when she’d made the decision to allow him to accompany her to the park, yet not doing so would have been even worse.

Voice low and intense, Evie explained everything to Rex. Watching his profile, Mary could see his jaw clenching when he was told the suspicions about the connection to his Society.

“How can you possibly know that?” As much a challenge as a question, he glared at Evie, and Mary could practically feel the protective waves coming off him, his indignance at the accusation against any of the members.

“Because the spymaster of England received the information, andhebelieves it as well.” Pressing her lips together, Evie lifted her chin, about to go on when a dawning light passed over Rex’s expression.

“Stuart,” Rex said suddenly. Mary and the others sucked in shocked, slightly horrified breaths as he said Evie’s surname. He rocked back as if physically jolted by the revelation. “By God, you are Eveline Stuart!”

Too loud. Mary reached out and slapped her hand over his mouth without thinking. Josie and Lily looked shocked and afraid. Evie’s expression was harder to read, but she appeared paler than normal. Settling, Rex reached up and plucked Mary’s hand away from his face without looking at her.

Something inside of her stomach turned over when he released her hand immediately, pushing it back toward her,stillnot glancing her way. Not even for a moment, as if he did not want to look at her. Of course, with the mountain of her lies and omissions, she could not blame him, but his complete disregard made her feel empty and hollowed.

“How did you know?” Evie asked, her words clipped and precise, hiding her emotions.

Rex’s eyes narrowed.

“I am acquainted with your cousin.” He said the words with growing anger. “I now understand why he finally asked to join the Society after all this time.” Not just anger. Hurt. It emanated from him. Her lion had a thorn in his paw, and she had been party to putting it there.

“Please, do not tell him I am in London,” Evie said, though it sounded more like an order than anything else.

“Which cousin?” Josie asked, just as Evie spoke. Next to her, Lily nudged her in the side. “Ow, stop… I only want to know if it is Joseph.”

Rex barely spared Josie a glance, which was more than Mary could say. He had avoided looking at her so assiduously, it fairly screamed his injury.

“Not Joseph.” He refocused on Evie. “You have my word. I will mention nothing to Elijah.” A smile curved his lips, but it was not a kind or happy smile. “Indeed, it seems I owe him a secret or two.”

Unhappily, Mary turned away when she realized Rex was not going to look at her. Elijah was not the only one he owed. She saw Josie mouthing Elijah’s name in utter surprise—truthfully, Mary was taken aback by that as well. She would have wagered Adam as being the adventurous brother. When she looked at Lily, her friend looked back at her with sympathy, dashing any hopes Mary’s interpretation of Rex’s reaction was due to oversensitivity on her part.

Rex

Holding himself rigid, Rex did not look at his wife, even though he could feel her pleading gaze on the side of his face. He dared not. He did not know if he would be able to hold on to his temper if he did.

“Thank you.” Miss Stuart took a deep breath. “If you know my family and who my uncle really is, you know what I am telling you is true. There is likely a connection to your Society. If you can think of anyone, anyone at all, who might…” Her voice trailed off, sympathy filling her emerald gaze. Clearly, she understood how hard it would be for him to believe anyone so closely aligned with him might betray their country.

However…

“Not currently of the Society, but there was one man whose behavior caused him to be cast out,” Rex said tightly. “Julian Mitchell.” He had been the first to spring to mind, of course. “Currently employed with the Earl of Warwick.” He hesitated, which was enough for Miss Stuart to pounce. At that moment, she reminded him even more strongly of Elijah, who had often complained to Rex about his young, impulsive, and stubborn cousin, who was constantly involving herself in his father’s business.

“Do you think Warwick could be involved?”

“I do not personally like the man very much,” Rex admitted. “Despite that, I cannot see him doing anything to the detriment of England. Still, as he is the one who introduced Mitchell to the Society and continues to employ him, I cannot vouch for him entirely.” He frowned. “Warwick also sponsored another man recently, a Captain Nathan Jones, but I can countenance him being connected to treachery even less. He was recently decommissioned, honorably.”

The three young women before him exchanged glances. At his side, he could feel Mary doing the same, and although her attention was divided, some of it still focused on him.

“I will make some inquiries—discreetly,” he tacked on when Evie looked about to protest. “But you must admit, I am in a far more advantageous position to do so than you currently are.”

“You might be surprised,” Miss Pennyworth muttered. Rex narrowed his eyes when Miss Davis elbowed her again. If he was going to choose a loose tongue, it would be Miss Pennyworth. He doubted she would respond to threats or intimidation but set the right challenge before her, and she clearly struggled not to rise to the bait.

Still, she had a point. Rex let his gaze sweep over Miss Stuart’s attire and raised his eyebrow. She shrugged. If she were his… but she was not. Mary was, and he had his hands full with her. They were due a long discussion at the very least, but not until he had wrested his temper fully under his control—his temper… and the odd ache inside his chest. It felt as if he had been offered something wonderful, only to have it snatched away at the last moment. While he did not entirely understand the reaction, he could not deny it.

“I must get back.” Miss Stuart got to her feet, pausing to look down at Rex, her gaze softening as she glanced at Mary beside him. “Please do not blame Mary. She is faultlessly loyal and sworn to secrecy.”

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