Free The Beauty and the Spy by Gayle Callen Page B

just like you’re doing now. We’ll capture her. And with Will on the inside, we can’t fail.”
    Nick lowered his voice, and a touch of amusement crept in. “It didn’t go well when I told him who I had hostage.”
    Though she wanted to hold her breath with anticipation, she forced herself to breathe deeply, normally. She opened her eyes the barest slits, so she could see the two men sitting in chairs before the hearth, leaning close together.
    â€œWhy?” Sam asked. “Surely he understood the necessity.”
    Something was wrong. Sam looked different, but she didn’t want to stare just yet.
    â€œWhen you were following him,” Nick continued, “didn’t you ever wonder who he was engaged to?”
    Suddenly he turned to look at her, followed by Sam, who was wearing some sort of wig. Sam looked confused until his face cleared with understanding—and worry. Charlotte found herself staring back at them, not caring if they knew she was awake. Why did they look at her as they discussed some girl Will was—
    Will? Heading for Yorkshire? Were they referring to…William Chadwick, her sister’s future husband?
    â€œNow Charlotte—” Nick began.
    Thinking only of protecting her sister, she bolted out of bed and ran for the door. Nick caught her easily, holding her tight to his body. Facing him, she squirmed and pushed at his chest, feeling the hard pressure of his hips, but more concerned about her sister than the threat to herself.
    â€œYou’re talking about William Chadwick!” She hit him hard enough in the stomach that she heard his breath catch.
    â€œYes, we are. Now stop struggling, or I’ll have to tie you up again.”
    He gave her a last tight squeeze, which, through her thin, old dress, allowed her to feel the hard, muscular length of his body. She gasped and went still. Before he pushed her away, she felt his erection against her stomach. Though she experienced a momentary anxiety, she forced itfrom her mind. Her sister’s very happiness was at stake!
    She put her hands on her hips and glared up at Nick. “You must let me go! I have to warn my sister.”
    â€œWarn her about what?” he asked, leaning back against the door and crossing his arms over his chest. He glanced at Sam, who raised his palms as if to say he was staying out of it.
    Charlotte was briefly distracted. Was Sam wearing…cosmetics? But she forced herself to turn away and glare at Nick. “That Lord Chadwick is one of you!”
    â€œWill left the military. He’s starting a whole new life with your sister. That’s why he—”
    Nick stopped himself, but not in time. He could see Charlotte’s worry turn to suspicion, and he heaved a sigh.
    â€œThat’s why he what?” she demanded, advancing on him.
    She was so tiny; what was she going to do—shove him aside? “He wanted to be alone with Jane, so he made sure you were absent. He procured an invitation he didn’t think you could resist. He didn’t know about the meeting I’d planned with Campbell.”
    Her mouth opened and closed, but she didn’t seem to be able to find the words.
    â€œHe wanted to be alone so he could—compromise Jane?” she gasped out.
    She looked as if she was ready to take on theworld to defend her family. Hell, this wasn’t good. More and more he admired her, more and more he had to force away thoughts of getting her into bed. The excuses were varied in his head—she wasn’t a virgin, she hadn’t gotten pregnant while married. But the biggest obstacle of all was that he knew himself too well: he would grow to care for her, and he had vowed he wouldn’t let that happen again until he was done working for the government. He wasn’t leaving the army yet, no matter how his family thought they could trap him.
    Yet like a fool, he’d kissed Charlotte. He’d tormented himself with a