Free The Spy Who Loved Her: Once Upon an Accident, Book 3 by Melissa Schroeder Page B

toward the man. They were not alone, Daniel was not stupid. He had brought backup, some of his own, some of Jo’s.
    “I understand you have news of the Viper?”
    The man licked his lips. As Daniel moved closer, he realized the man was not that old. A shame for someone so young to be entangled in such a mess. He would not recognize Daniel in his costume, but Daniel knew him. A baron that had come into his fortune early on and squandered it. There was a reason he could sell the secrets to the French. The man’s brother worked in the home office.
    “Yes. There have been a few people talking.”
    “And?”
    “They say he is back in business. And he has put it out that you are his quarry.”
    Which made no sense whatsoever. If the man needed the money to spy again, that he understood. But what he did not understand was the man calling him out. Or the way he was making it known he was after Daniel. It was dangerous to him.
    “Do you know who this man is?”
    He shook his head. “No, but I know he is from the Dover area.”
    “How?”
    But the man was no longer paying attention to him. He looked over Daniel’s shoulder out onto the street. “Lord, have mercy.” He uttered the whispered plea the moment before a knife flew past Daniel’s face and into the man’s neck.
    Jack was already shouting for their reserves as Daniel turned to face their attacker. Another knife was thrown, catching Daniel in the shoulder. He barely noticed the sting of it as he made his way to the figure standing at the entrance to the alley. It was too dark to see the man, but if he could get closer he might be able to get at least an impression.
    When the man realized the number of people flooding the area, he backed away across the street and began running. Daniel tried to chase after him but a carriage pulled in front of Daniel and stopped. His vision blurred and his head began to spin. He blinked twice and tried to focus on the carriage. He recognized the crest as Sebastian’s the moment before he sank down on the street.
    “Daniel?”
    He could not open his eyes, his head fuzzy. The scent of rose water surrounded him as he felt a hand brush against his face.
    “Daniel! Jeffries, it is Lord Bridgerton. We must get him inside. Good Lord, he has a knife in his shoulder.”
    “Ma’am? I think I can take care of him,” Jack said.
    “And just who are you?” Her voice was filled with indignation.
    “I’m his friend.”
    “Not much of one if you let this happen to him.”
    Daniel thought he heard snickering.
    “Well, all of you need to help me get him up into the carriage.”
    “But…”
    He wanted to tell the men not to let her take him, that it was a risk to her, but his brain did not seem to be able to tell his mouth to function. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. A wave of nausea hit him just as his world faded to black.

Chapter Seven
    Daniel returned to consciousness as he was being jostled from the carriage.
    “Oh, do be careful. He is an injured man.”
    “That one does like to tell a man what to do,” Jack mumbled under his breath.
    “I heard that.”
    Jack said nothing else but grunted as he stepped down from the coach. The knocker sounded and the door opened.
    “We have your lord. He’s been stabbed,” Anna said.
    “My lady?”
    “What is it, Higgens?” His mother. Bloody hell, this was getting worse by the minute.
    “Ah, it seems that Lord Bridgerton is indisposed.” From the sound of Anna’s voice she was not pleased his mother was home. He could not blame her.
    “Indisposed? Oh, Anna. What in heaven are you doing here?”
    “I had to attend to something at the orphanage, and on my way home I came upon Daniel who almost was run over by my carriage.”
    “And why is Jack carrying him?” his mother asked.
    “Well, he passed out and he is too heavy for me to carry. I assumed they were friends.”
    “Passed out, as in drinking?”
    Anna said nothing for a moment, apparently sensing the desperation in