Free Jacquie D'Alessandro - [Regency Historical 04] by Not Quite A Gentleman

haughty tone. “Perhaps if you couched your request more politely…”
    Her words trailed off, and Nathan swore his teeth would be reduced to nubs before this interview was over. “Please,” he forced out between his clenched lips.
    “Much better,” she said in a prim tone. “Although I’m not certain you deserve an explanation after insulting my sewing abilities.”
    “ You sewed the lining?”
    “I did.”
    “When?”
    “Earlier this evening.” She paused again, but clearly whatever she read in his gaze wisely compelled her to continue without further prodding. “After freshening up from our journey, my aunt and I took a turn around the gardens—which are lovely, by the way.”
    “Thank you. Go on.”
    “Hmmm. Some politeness, although rather brusque. As I was saying, we walked the gardens. When I returned to my bedchamber to prepare for dinner, I realized someone had been in my room. The disturbances were subtle—a wrinkle on the counterpane, my perfume bottle not precisely where I’d left it, the wardrobe door closed ratherthan open several inches to aid in the airing of my gowns, the latch of my trunk open. If only one thing or one part of the room had showed signs of being tampered with, I would have simply attributed it to a servant, but it was all about the room. My things had been unpacked and put away before I left for the gardens, so there wouldn’t have been any reason for anyone to touch the wardrobe or my trunk.”
    “So you conducted a search of your own to see what, if anything, was missing.”
    “Yes. And nothing was missing. Not even from my jewel case. But during my search, I discovered a faulty seam in my portmanteau, which very much distressed me, as the bag had belonged to my mother and is a favorite of mine. Upon closer examination, it was clear that the stitches were extremely amateurish. Certainly not the work of any reputable tailor or my mother, who was very accomplished with a needle and thread. My curiosity was aroused and I pulled out the stitches. When I finished, I felt around in the space behind the lining.”
    “You discovered a letter.” It wasn’t a question.
    “I did.”
    Bloody hell . “Did you read it?” Not that it would matter, as naturally Wexhall would have written it in code.
    “Really, Dr. Oliver, I think the pertinent question here is: How did you know a letter was secreted in the lining of my luggage?”
    Nathan studied her for several long seconds. Damn it to hell, this was a complication he didn’t need. Or want. Indeed, he hadn’t wanted or needed any of this. He should be in Little Longstone, tending to his patients, caring for his animals, enjoying the peaceful existence he’d worked so hard to achieve. Instead he stood facing a veritable termagant who had his note and by the stubborn look of her wouldn’t give it up easily.
    A half-dozen lies rose to his lips, but a sudden overwhelming weariness washed over him. God, he was sick of lying. And why should he? His service to the Crown was completed. He was no longer sworn to secrecy. How easy and refreshing it would be to simply tell the truth.
    Watching her carefully, he said, “I knew the letter was there because it was meant for me.”
    “And why would a letter meant for you be hidden in my portmanteau?”
    “Because as you were traveling to Cornwall, it was the most expeditious way to get the note to me.”
    “If that is so, then why was it hidden? Why couldn’t I have simply been given the note with instructions to hand it over to you when I arrived?”
    “Because it contains top secret information that is meant for my eyes only.”
    “Top secret? You make this sound like some sort of spy adventure.”
    When he did nothing to deny or confirm her statement, her eyes narrowed and she studied him. Finally she said, “Are you implying that you’re some sort of…spy?”
    “I’m not implying anything. I’m stating it outright.”
    She blinked. “That you’re a spy.”
    “ Was a