Free A Secret in Her Kiss by Anna Randol Page B

intelligence network here in Constantinople is even aware of her presence. If it were the Russians, she’d be dead. If the person wants money in exchange for their silence, why haven’t they asked for it?”
    So much for an easy answer. “Does Mari have any personal enemies?”
    Abington helped himself to a glass of brandy from the nearby table. “Nothing to warrant this level of interest. She generally keeps to herself. The women don’t pay her much heed and she is generally of little interest to the men.”
    It took Bennett a moment to realize the grinding he heard came from his own teeth.
    “Except perhaps those who wish to curry favor with the pasha.” Abington tipped back his drink with a single swallow. “Now, the pasha is a man with powerful enemies, but if they wish to discredit him through association with Mari’s actions, why haven’t they done so?”
    “Perhaps they want solid proof before facing him.”
    Abington nodded thoughtfully. “Not a bad theory. All the more reason to keep Mari from drawing Vourth. There could only be one reason for her to be in that region. It takes two days of treacherous hiking through barren hellish terrain to get there. Her flighty Englishwoman ruse wouldn’t work. No one would question her guilt if she is discovered.”
    Bennett folded his arms. He wouldn’t risk Mari’s life by rushing into the new assignment, but he would not avoid it. He had things to take care of back in England. “I have my orders.”
    The glass clunked heavily as Abington set it back on the table. “Do you wish her dead?”
    “I have every intention of keeping her alive. Can you give me any information on the area?”
    Abington spun toward the window, sighing. “If I don’t, I’ll be just as responsible for her death. I’ll give you a report on the last known bandit encampments as well as the safest routes I know of. It might take me a few days to gather the information.” He placed his turban back on his head.
    Good. That would give Bennett time to track down the person following her. “Thank you for your assistance.”
    Abington strode to the window and slipped out with a single noiseless movement. His voice whipped though the opening. “If she dies while under your care, Prestwood, you had better hope the bandits kill you, too.”

Chapter Seven
    M ari paced on a smooth outcropping of rock until Bennett reached her. He struggled with the two oversized baskets, a large easel, and wooden box of ink jars. Guilt nipped at her as he paused without complaint, despite the fact that the heat of the afternoon radiated from the rock so intensely she had to shift from side to side to keep her feet from blistering through the leather soles of her shoes.
    He raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t let him rest since they set out from the inn where she’d left Achilla. The cumbersome items he carried had to be wearing blisters onto his palms, yet he bore it with stoic acceptance.
    The British officers she’d previously known were focused on their own comfort and glory. Apparently, she had been assigned the exception.
    She pointed to a copse of trees clinging to the side of the hill. “Let’s rest a moment until some of this heat passes.”
    A glint of humor entered his eyes. “I think we’ve already walked though the worst of it.”
    She tilted her silk parasol so he couldn’t see her face. “We’ll eat and then continue.”
    She moved into the shade of the small grove. The waxy green leaves provided only a few degrees of relief, but after the long hike, it seemed an incredible luxury. Mari tipped back her head and inhaled. The pungent, sweet smell of the leaves dripped from the trees and tingled over her. Her tired muscles eased. She caressed a smooth, gray trunk. Strange, sandalwood trees grew all over Constantinople and the scent had never affected her so.
    Bennett had smelled of sandalwood when she’d kissed him.
    She jerked away from the tree as if it had burned her.
    Bennett placed the