Free For Her Spy Only (Entangled Scandalous) by Robyn DeHart Page B

quickly before she lost her nerve.
    “I believe you already have. Twice.”
    “Yes, well, that is all. I will not keep doing this.” She hadn’t walked any farther into the room so the distance between them was vast, her by the door and him all the way at the far table.
    “What are you trying to tell me?”
    “You have no notion how very difficult it was for me that first time. To try and forget you.” She tried her best not to wring her hands, but her efforts were futile.
    “You married rather quickly, so I doubt that my memory plagued you for too long.”
    It was on her tongue to tell him that she’d grown rather fond of him. Perhaps she’d even fallen in love with him. Loved him still. “I know that you do not feel the same and I am not asking you to. But you storm into my life and leave a wake of pain when you leave. It’s wonderful while you’re here, but the after?” Her shoulders wilted. “I simply cannot put those pieces back together.”
    “You were younger then, much less worldly. I suspect you fancied yourself in love when truly it was merely the blush of losing your virginity.”
    He was so coarse sometimes. Hurtful when she knew he didn’t intend to be. It was simply his way.
    “What if I do not wish to let you go?” he asked.
    She dared take several steps farther into the room. “You can offer me nights of wonder, pleasures that I can scarcely imagine. But in the mornings, I’m left with an empty and cold bed. It is more than I can endure.”
    “So you would rather be alone all the time than merely alone in the mornings?”
    She gave him a wistful smile. “Precisely.”
    “That makes no sense, Winifred.”
    “Perhaps. But I must do what I must.”
    He was quiet for a few moments, then said, “I spoke to your son last night.”
    Her heart stopped. “You did?”
    “On my way out of your room, he was standing in the corridor. He didn’t say anything.”
    “He doesn’t.”
    “He is bashful, then?”
    “No, he doesn’t talk. Yet.” She nodded, but was unsure if she was trying to convince Alistair or herself. “But I know it is only a matter of time.”
    He looked up at her, his face pale. “I have to go.” He gathered his materials.
    “Are you finished with the code?”
    “Nearly.” And with that he left the room. Left her alone. Again.
    …
    Alistair had left shortly after the exchange with Winifred. He was quite close to deciphering the remainder of the code in the book, and in the process had made a truly disturbing discovery. But he’d had to get away from Winifred. He needed to be alone. To think.
    But that wasn’t going to happen. When he got to his townhome, he was informed that Remy was there. Alistair stepped into his study. He might not be interested in a social call, but Remy’s presence would solve one problem. He could tell him what he’d discovered about the journal. Alistair didn’t know about everyone in the Seven, but he knew he trusted Remy.
    “I’ve already talked to Harrison about my discoveries, but you might as well know, too,” Alistair said.
    Remy waved his hand. “No, I came to talk about something else.”
    “I’m not in the mood for a social call.”
    “It matters not what you’re in the mood for. There are things we need to discuss.”
    “I decode the journal, that’s the extent of my involvement in these investigations, you know that.” He took a seat behind the desk. “But I do trust you, which is why I will tell you a disturbing thing I have discovered while working with Comfry’s journal. I’m fairly certain that the main traitor we seek, the one we’ve been commissioned to find, is a member of the Seven.”
    Remy frowned. “You’re quite serious.”
    “I’m always serious.”
    “Be that as it may, that is not why I am here, though obviously this news needs to get to Harrison straightaway.”
    “Why are you here, then?” Alistair asked.
    Remy eyed him for a minute or so, then rubbed the back of his neck. “Tell me you