Free A Secret in Her Kiss by Anna Randol

across from the ambassador. Excellent, he could question both men at once. Daller motioned for him to sit. “Perfect timing, Major. Abington has just finished his report.”
    Prestwood lowered himself into a chair.
    Daller stroked his chin and smiled. Bennett had the distinct impression that he enjoyed his position of superiority over two noblemen who outranked him. Daller handed him a sealed letter. “Additional orders.”
    Bennett broke the seal and scanned the contents. Miss Sinclair was to sketch military fortifications in Vourth. He was to ensure she complied using whatever tactics he deemed necessary.
    His hand tightened on the paper. This was it, his key home. He placed the paper in his pocket.
    Daller tapped a map on his desk. He looked as though he knew the contents of the orders. His next words confirmed it. “While the other drawings Miss Sinclair produced have been useful, this one is essential.”
    Abington straightened in his chair. “Where do they want her to draw?”
    Daller frowned. “Vourth.”
    Abington surged to his feet. “She will not!”
    The ambassador’s face remained impassive except for a new crease dividing his brows. “This no longer concerns you.”
    Abington spun toward Bennett. “The last two agents we’ve sent into that area haven’t returned. The place is a death trap. She will be killed.”
    The paper turned to lead in Bennett’s pocket.
    Daller interrupted before Bennett had a chance to respond. “I am sure Major Prestwood is more than capable of protecting Miss Sinclair.”
    Abington glared pointedly at the bruise Bennett knew was on his jaw. “That is not the point. It’s wrong to ask it of her. The trip alone is treacherous. The sultan himself has lost regiments of soldiers to the brigands in those mountains.”
    The ambassador held out a calming hand. “It is a risk. But it is the final thing we’ll ask of her.”
    The assurance failed to placate Abington. “Yes, because she’ll be dead. Prestwood, you cannot possibly encourage her to do this.”
    Unease churned in Bennett’s stomach, but he didn’t allow it to show. “I have my orders.” He wouldn’t disobey them. If British soldiers balked at every command they didn’t personally agree with, Napoleon would be sitting on the throne in London. This particular order might be more uncomfortable than the rest, but that didn’t make it any less necessary.
    Besides, he could protect Mari. It would take intense planning, but when it was over, he and Mari could return to their own lives.
    “Disobey your orders.”
    Abington lacked the military background to understand the enormity of what he had just proposed, but some of Bennett’s shock must have shown on his face.
    Abington stalked to the door. “I expected better of you, Prestwood.”
    Bennett’s hand fisted at his side, but he wouldn’t rise to the schoolboy taunt. “She chose this.”
    “The risk to her so far has been minimal. If it hadn’t, I would have stopped her months ago.”
    The last few words hung in the air. “Months ago? How long have you known Miss Sinclair was the artist responsible for the drawings? I thought her identity was a recent discovery.”
    Abington stilled. “I misspoke.”
    No, he hadn’t. Bennett rose to his feet. “You knew who she was all along and you let her become involved.”
    Guilt flashed across the other man’s face.
    “If you didn’t want her exposed to danger, you should never have let her play at being a spy.” Fury flashed through him. If Abington had been truthful from the onset, Mari would never have been allowed to involve herself in this, at least not to the degree in which she was now embroiled.
    Abington gripped the door handle so tightly his knuckles whitened. “As if I could have stopped her.” His lips pursed. “At least promise me you’ll inform her of the risks when you tell her of the assignment.”
    The ambassador spoke. “I hardly think—”
    Bennett cut in. “You have my word. She will