Free A Cantata of Love (The Code Breakers 4) by Jacki Delecki

cry for all you’ve lost.”
    Aunt Euphemia leaned back on the couch. She offered no other condolences. She sat in silence, allowing Gabby to cry for the loss of her brother, her parents, her home.

Chapter Eleven

    Embarrassment was a familiar feeling to Michael. He often got himself into a pickle, but his usual predicaments had never caused life-threatening danger to his family. He shifted in his chair as he had as a schoolboy called down at Eton. He definitely felt at a disadvantage with his brother-in-law since Henrietta had shared what had transpired because of his rash behavior.
    “I need to speak with you.” Lord Rathbourne leaned across his massive desk.
    “Rathbourne, I believe we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. And now that Henrietta’s explained the entire mess I caused, I hope you will first let me apologize for my actions in France. I never anticipated the danger I would cause to my family by stealing the code book. I’m impressed that you didn’t skewer me.”
    “Trust me, the idea did cross my mind. But that would have made your sister very unhappy.” Lord Rathbourne tapped his chin with his index finger. “Your decision to take the book did set off an interesting chain of events.”
    “I was a damn fool.”
    And something he didn’t expect from this meeting was Lord Rathbourne’s hearty laugh. “Well, there is that possibility.”
    “I had no idea of the repercussions. I had hoped to decipher the code and send the results back to England.” His work as a linguist hadn’t prepared him for covert work.
    “Not an unreasonable approach, but my men didn’t appreciate how closely you were being watched. You should never have been assigned to France; you’re not a trained field agent. It isn’t a criticism of my predecessor, Sir Ramsay. He made the best decision at the time. Your talents are much better suited to Abchurch.”
    “Thank you for your generous attitude. I appreciate your willingness to forgive, even if it is due to my sister.”
    “Your sister can be quite convincing.” Rathbourne’s haughty manner softened. “But I am grateful for your willingness to share your incredible talent for the sake of England.”
    And damn if Michael didn’t feel embarrassed again to receive such high praise.
    “I plan to begin my work with Henrietta deciphering codes from Abchurch.” Michael was a bit disappointed to be returning to the challenging but predictable work of code breaking. After escaping Paris, they had travelled under constant threat of discovery. Although his work in England was top secret and carried inherent danger, he found it thrilling to be chased by assassins throughout France.
    “I’ve got another assignment for you.”
    “Undercover again?” A rush of excitement coursed through him. Although he’d definitely ruined his cover in France, he had the opportunity to prove himself to his new superior.
    “Rather. We have suspicions that the opera singer, Madame Abney, may be a French agent, working for Talleyrand. After her acclaim in France, she has become very popular in London and has attracted royal interest. I want you to get close to Madame Abney.”
    “In what way?”
    “What way ? In the standard way a single man gets to know a woman. She is married to a Frenchman and the rumor is that they are not close.”
    “But, I’m…”
    “She has loads of gentlemen pursuing her, and she is known to take lovers. You need to gain her trust. We also have suspicions about one of her favorite gentleman pursuers; we believe he might be part of a network of spies.”
    Before Gabby, he would have relished this assignment. “Aren’t there any other single men who might be available?”
    “Not with your title and skills.”
    “Sk-skills?” Michael stammered. This was Hen’s husband. Had he heard the rumors? Michael didn’t feel he was much different in his pursuit of women than any of the other unmarried gentlemen. He battled between embarrassment and defensiveness over