Page 5 of The Earl and the Reluctant Lady
He nodded. “I believe I’ve monopolized enough of the lady’s time for one evening.” He bowed and walked off, his broad shoulders impossible to ignore even in the dim lighting.
“He is a handsome man,” Lady Somersby said.
“Indeed.” Agnes shook herself when she heard the dreamy tone in her voice. When had she become such a ninny? “How are you this evening?”
“I’m wonderful, my dear girl. I was hoping you would walk with me. I should like to discuss something with you, but it is of upmost secrecy.”
Agnes’s heart jumped in her chest. More than likely her mother would chide her for being absent from the ballroom for this long, but she didn’t care. Tonight, was shaping up to be a most interesting evening. “You’ll have my complete discretion.”
“Splendid.” They walked through the gardens and the crisp evening breeze smelled of freesia. “Are you familiar with the Ladies of Virtue?”
“Yes, I’ve heard of them,” Agnes said. “A charity group that provide funding for orphanages and the like?”
“Yes, we do that. There is more, however, to our group. I’m not certain if you’ve ever heard any rumors about me, but I was put into a rather dangerous position several years ago where I had to learn how to protect myself, physically. Essentially, I learned different fighting skills as well as some other abilities. Three years ago, it occurred to me that there’s a benefit for ladies, such as ourselves, to have such skills. Not only to protect themselves, but to also be of service.”
Agnes wasn’t certain where this conversation was going, but tonight had already become the best of her entire life. First with that kiss and now with this secretive conversation.
“I put together a group and have slowly been recruiting, carefully selecting my girls and then training them.”
Agnes nodded, then frowned. “Training them to do what precisely?”
“We, genteel ladies, are often in positions that allow us to handle things without being noticed. Street theft is rampant, but with the proper skills, it can be all but extinguished. There is more, but right now, I need you to answer a question, Miss Watkins. Are you willing to push yourself to learn these skills and can you commit to being discreet and become a member of the Ladies of Virtue?”
“Yes,” Agnes said without even giving it much thought. She wouldn’t have to ask her father to send her to live in the countryside or at a convent. She could stay right here in London and be useful.
Lady Somersby chuckled. “You do not need to give me an answer tonight. You should consider this, as it could be quite life altering.”
“There is no need to consider it. In truth, Lady Somersby, I feel as if this is precisely what I am meant to do with my life. Perhaps that’s presumptuous or naive of me.”
“Not at all, and I know precisely what you mean.” Lady Somersby smiled warmly. “Those many years ago when I first started on this journey, I felt the same.” She withdrew a calling card from the reticule hanging from her wrist and handed it to Agnes. “Please come to this address on Wednesday at approximately two in the afternoon.”
“I shall see you then.” Agnes watched Lady Somersby walk away, then brought her fingers to her lips. She knew, without a doubt, that tonight her life had irrevocably changed.
…
Fletcher had not completely unveiled everything they needed from Lady Fairbanks, but what he had discovered needed to be given to his direct supervisor. Fletcher had already been led into the man’s study in his townhome and was waiting for an audience. The fact that Chris and he were only a few years apart had always irritated Fletcher, but Chris was high ranking in the Seven’s organization and Fletcher respected him. Were it not for Fletcher’s grandfather’s wretched reputation, perhaps he would have advanced faster. Now he was likely going to be starting over because of the disastrous outcome of his previous assignment. None of which he could do anything about at the moment.
His mind wandered back to the night before and the kiss he’d stolen from the lovely Miss Watkins. She was easily the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. More than that, though, she’d been clever, funny, and charming. He hadn’t been able to get her off his mind since he’d stepped away from her. For someone who rarely lacked in female companionship, it wasn’t often that a woman intrigued him.
Even now when he closed his eyes, he could see her own, that startling shade of blue unlike any he’d seen before. Damnation, if he wasn’t careful he’d be reciting poetry soon. Fletcher Banks did not get affected by a pretty face. Even if it was attached to a body made for sin. Until now. Until Agnes. Lust hummed through his veins and his cock twitched.
At that moment, Christopher stepped into the study. Impeccable timing.
“Wakefield,” he said, his voice tight. He stepped around to his desk and sat. “Do you have news?”
Fletcher shifted, glad his fantasy had not had time to completely form, else he would have embarrassed himself. “Lady Fairbanks doesn’t have the documents we’re looking for, but I believe she knows who does.”
“That is promising news.” Chris steepled his hands beneath his chin and eyed Fletcher. The man didn’t like him, though Fletcher had never really understood why. He wasn’t a perfect man, but on the whole, people enjoyed his company. Yet plenty of people judged him based on his grandfather’s behavior. He’d been a force in Parliament and he’d made many enemies.
“Indeed. I suspect I’ll need more time with her.”
Chris’s features tightened. “I’m certain that won’t be too unpleasant for you,” he bit out.
Lady Fairbanks was a stunning woman. A widow, who had made it expressly clear the night before that she would welcome him into her bed. Still, Fletcher hoped it wouldn’t come to that. He was tired of that being the sole skill he brought to his position with the Seven. Need information from a woman? Send in Fletcher to seduce it out of her. He blew out a breath.
It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate a willing woman to warm his bed, but the novelty had grown old as of late. Suddenly, he found himself wishing not only for a more challenging assignment, but that also someday he might be interested in pursuing a woman, one woman.
“You seem distracted,” Christopher said.
