Free Miss Peterson & The Colonel by Fenella J Miller Page B

forget about the most important matter; he'd yet to recover the codebook. Peterson must speak to his sister and discover where it was hidden. To his annoyance, he saw the girl at the head of the stairs. She was dressed in men's attire, her glorious hair hidden under a soft cap and her womanly shape disguised under a loose frockcoat. He almost did not recognize her.
    *
    Lydia nearly laughed out loud at the colonel's expression. Braving his anger was worth it just to see him disconcerted. 'I have what you seek here, Colonel Wescott. I believe it should be in your safekeeping, not with us upstairs.'
    His expression icy, the colonel held out his hand and she placed the book in it. 'Thank you, Miss Peterson. I would like to speak to you privately, kindly come with me.'
    She glanced at David, but he shrugged and gestured for her to follow the colonel into the drawing room. Oh well, it was better to be given a bear garden jaw in private than in full view of the stable hands and grooms. Her heart was beating rapidly; it was hard to breathe. Why did this man cause her to lose her courage? This would not do.
    She stiffened her spine, tossing her head and unaware that her cap had slipped askew. She would not be put off by his anger; she had as much right as anyone to be in the midst of the action. She could handle a gun as well as any man and was quite capable of putting a bullet in a traitor if the safety of her country should depend upon it.
    She marched into the drawing room to discover him standing, feet slightly apart, hands clasped behind him and his jaw clenched. Her bravado evaporated as she was pierced by his basilisk stare. She would not be browbeaten, he had no right to dictate her actions.
    Was she not a woman of independent means, running one of the most successful stud farms in the country?
    Did not they supply horses to dozens of aristocratic families?
    This man had no right to stare at her as if she were a common foot soldier under his command. Halting two yards from him, she glared right back.
    Something flickered in his eyes and the rigidity in his jaw released. Surely it was not amusement she detected in his expression? Her knees threatened to give way and she flopped into a dilapidated armchair. He grabbed a chair, swinging it round to straddle it, then folding his arms across the back he rested his chin on his hands and sighed.
    'You are impossible, my dear. I've never met anyone like you. There is no other of my acquaintance who would think to disobey my orders.' He sounded more resigned than angry.
    'I do beg your pardon, Colonel Wescott. However, I am no green girl, and, as you must be quite aware, have been running this household since my father's demise five years ago.' She paused, staring at him suspiciously. If he dared to laugh at her she would hit him. 'I have also been running the business with my brother since that time. Although legally I have no rights, in fact it is I who am in command here. Edward is nominally the head of the household but he does not interfere.'
    His eyes crinkled endearingly at the corners and his smile diffused her anger. 'That does not surprise me one jot, my dear. You're a formidable woman but I must ask you to follow my instructions in this matter. I am the soldier, it's my job to command and keep those close to me safe from harm.'
    She couldn't resist. Her antagonism melted. 'I know that, but I spoke the truth when I said I am quite ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with you if that should be necessary. I would not have that precious book in the hands of traitors. I might be a woman, but I'm prepared to give my life for my country as any man might do.'
    His hand came out and she stilled. Was he going to touch her face? But all he did was gently pull her cap straight – no wonder he'd been smiling at her.
    'I'm sure you are, my dear. However, it's entirely unnecessary. There are nine of us and only six of them. A troop of highly trained soldiers will be here tomorrow. All we