Free His Lady Spy (The Star Elite Series) by Rebecca King Page B

dangerous spy smugglers. They pride themselves on being invisible. Unfortunately, you have now seen far too much. It is imperative that I get you away from here as quickly as possible. I need to get you to my associates. They will make sure you are protected until all of this is over.” He didn’t add that by killing Manton, the head of the Guards, and witnessing the murder of the Frenchman in the woods, Portia’s life was in as much danger as his own.
    “I am not going to simply stand here and wait for you to return. What if the Guards have made it to the village, and are waiting for you? We could be stuck here like sitting ducks!” Portia’s voice rose with indignation and she jumped when Cecily’s warm palm landed soothingly on her forearm.
    “I am afraid I am going to have to agree with my sister. You cannot expect us to simply stand here and do nothing.”
    Archie fought the urge to growl and glanced askance at the heavens for cursing him with such stalwart companions. By rights, they should be swooning in bed, being coddled and fussed over. Instead they were willing to march into dangers hitherto unknown to either of them with the innocence of lambs being led to slaughter. He had no intention of allowing them to be harmed in any way, and would at least stand some small chance of keeping them alive if they at least did as they were told.
    “I don’t care what you want,” Portia argued, sensing Archie’s hesitation. “I am not going to simply stand here and do nothing but wait.”
    Archie glared at her through the darkness, knowing she couldn’t see him. His frustration mounted to the point that he had to clench his fists from the physical need to shake some sense into her.
    “I am not going to stay here either,” Cecily added starkly , standing shoulder to shoulder with her sister.
    Although Portia couldn’t see him, she could feel the frustration practically shimmering from Archie. It was so strong that she was certain if she reached out, she would be able to touch it. She was suddenly glad that she couldn’t see him through the darkness, although she could feel his very presence with an acuteness that made her want to squirm uncomfortably.
    She was still struggling with the speed of the afternoon’s changing events, and had no idea what to make of the awareness she felt toward the man who called himself Archie.
    Archie, she repeated silently, running the word around in her mind. It was strong and bold, yet held a ring of softness to it that contradicted the enigma that now stood before them.
    “Alright,” Archie sighed, carefully considering the possibility of tying them up. Knowing these two, they would just break free and alert half of the village to their presence just to spite him. His mind raced with possibilities. If he couldn’t leave them there, he could make sure they were kept as far out of the way as possible.
    Frowning slightly, a tendril of a plan began to form in his mind and he slowly shook his head. If they were determined to be involved, then they would be – only on his terms, in his way, under his direction. Mentally cursing himself for his own idiocy, Archie knew that if his colleagues from the Star Elite ever became aware of what he was about to do, he would never live it down. The shame would forever haunt him. Still, if it meant that the ladies lived to see sunrise, it was worth the risk.
    After all, as soon as they were safe, Archie could go on his own way and never set eyes on either lady again.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    Briefly, he wondered if Jamie was Lord Calverton, and had indeed intended to ask for Cecily’s hand. First Hugo, then Simon; the men of the Star Elite seemed to be dropping one by one. Archie swallowed harshly and felt the urge to tug his collar uncomfortably. There was no chance he was ever going to succumb to the parson’s trap, especially to a wilful female like Portia. The woman he eventually intended to settle down with would be biddable, dutiful, more