Free The Forbidden Lady by Kerrelyn Sparks Page A

Munro, sir, from North Carolina.” She bobbed a curtsy.
    “You look much like Mary did . . . a few years ago.”
    Aunt Mary smiled wryly as she sat. “More than a few years ago. Ginny and Caroline are the nieces I was telling you about.”
    “I see.” His expression turned grim once again. “And how would their parents feel if they knew these girls risked their necks spying?”
    Virginia glanced quickly at her aunt.
    Mary responded with a helpless shrug.
    Virginia felt the plate in her hands being lifted. She looked down to see Edward Stanton adjusting the plate. In her surprise, she had tilted it and two scones had slipped off and landed in his lap.
    “Oh, excuse me.” Virginia returned the plate to the table.
    Edward tossed the two scones onto the small table beside him and surged to his feet. “I will not tolerate this. This is exactly the sort of trouble that happens when there is no male guidance in the home.”
    Virginia paused with a scone halfway to her mouth. “I beg your pardon?”
    He paced about the room, his steps silent on the thick rug. “I insist you cease this activity at once.”
    Mary stood and touched his sleeve as he paced by. “Edward, please. I need to do this.”
    “Why? Why must you risk yourself? Dear woman, it is not your fault that your husband was a cruel, selfish bastard and did damage to our cause. You do not have to make amends for him.”
    Mary sat down abruptly, clasping her hands together.
    “I’m sorry.” Edward rubbed his furrowed brow. “I should not speak ill of the dead, but I . . . I care too much for the living.”
    “I have to do this for myself, for my own peace of mind.”
    He went down on his knees in front of Mary and covered her clasped hands with his own. “Stop doing it, please, for my peace of mind.”
    Virginia’s mouth dropped open. The handsome man was on his knees, his passion unveiled in his eyes. A twinge of longing lodged in her chest.
    She turned away, suddenly averse to witnessing a tender scene that would probably never happen to her. Why couldn’t the nephew be more like his uncle? Why did he possess such a pompous, wretched character?
    Or did he? For a brief moment Saturday night, he had seemed sincere and . . . vulnerable.
    Mary spoke softly, “Edward, pray, do not be vexed. You’re the only one who knows. No one else will ever suspect. If you truly care for our safety, promise me you will tell no one.”
    “I could never cause you harm, madam.”
    Virginia peered over her shoulder. Edward was still kneeling and holding her aunt’s hand.
    Mary asked, “Will you promise to tell no one?”
    He heaved himself to his feet. “Aye, I will.”
    Aunt Mary rose, also. “Thank you. I knew I could trust you.”
    He shook his head and trudged toward the door. “I have failed you if I cannot turn you from this folly.”
    Mary followed him, smiling. “Come now, Edward, don’t be so dramatic.”
    Virginia heard their voices grow fainter as they approached the front door. With a forlorn sigh, she collapsed on the settee and helped herself to one of Edward’s uneaten scones.
    Mary returned. “There, it is all taken care of. Our secret is safe with Mr. Stanton.” She reached for her cup of tea.
    “Of course, we can trust him. The man is in love with you.”
    Aunt Mary’s cup slipped from her fingers and landed with a clatter on the saucer.
    “M ay I sit with you during the performance, Miss Munro?” Captain Breakwell asked.
    “Of course.” Virginia forced herself to smile.
    A small orchestra of five warmed up their instruments for the performance Monday evening. She and Aunt Mary had come alone to the concert, hosted by the Ashford family. Caroline had stayed home, declaring that a night without dancing would be a complete and utter bore.
    “I believe the composer we’re to hear is British.” The captain sat beside her. “Have you ever been to England?”
    “No, but I do wander about the harbor and imagine what it would be like to