Free My Lord the Spy by Audrey Harrison Page B

whispered.
    “Well, there might be consequences if your brother finds us like this,” Edmund said, finally separating from Clara. She was like a drug to him, and he was only able to separate himself with the strongest will. They both straightened their attire and then Edmund offered his arm. He pecked Clara on the lips before she could respond. “I also thoroughly enjoy kisses without consequences.”
    Clara smiled and hooked her hand through his arm. They emerged from the trees, to see that Henry and Charles had returned to Milly. “Do you think they will notice anything amiss?” she asked worriedly; there was a difference in being brave when she was alone with Edmund, but it was something completely different while recovering from being kissed senseless and then having to have a civilised conversation.
    “Do as I do and brazen it out,” Edmund responded quietly.
    “My goodness, you really are the kind of man I should be running from!” Clara said tartly.
    “You probably should, but you’ve told me you like my kisses, and I’m going to use every opportunity I can to give you more.”
    If Clara was struggling to regain her composure, Edmund’s words did nothing to help. She groaned quietly, and tried to glare at Edmund as he chuckled at her groan, but her flushed cheeks and dilated eyes diluted the fierceness of the glare.
    They rejoined their group and, although Henry sent a questioning look to Edmund, nothing was mentioned about their absence. They enjoyed the rest of the food that had been left, but there were no berries to be gathered, the season being too early. When all were filled to satisfaction once more, they set off on their return journey. Clara and Edmund rode together, this time their talk was more flirtatious and teasing with no comments said to antagonise or torment.
    The group parted at Half Moon Street with the promise to meet again before too long. Clara was both disappointed and relieved that no firm plans had been made. Her heart was already full of the Earl of Chertsey; hopefully a few days absence would give her enough time to regain her composure.

 

    Chapter 7
    Henry and Edmund settled in Henry’s study in his abode in Berkeley Square. “So, did you find out anything from Charles?” Edmund asked.
    “Not really; he hinted at some brandy he promises is the best tasting brandy I’ll ever try, but closed up when I started questioning who his source was,” Henry responded.
    “He’s hardly likely to spill everything virtually the first time he’s spent any time in your company!” Edmund scoffed.
    “He acts the buffoon,” Henry shrugged.
    “His sister says he’s young for his age; it doesn’t necessarily follow that he’s stupid,” Edmund said in defence of the young Baron.
    “It appeared that you had a more productive afternoon with the sister,” Henry said with a raised brow. “She appeared quite dishevelled when you emerged from the copse of trees.”
    Edmund bristled at the way Henry disregarded Clara as just something to use to obtain his goal, but managed to maintain his uninterested demeanour. “She didn’t reveal much, but again, I wouldn’t expect anything on the first outing we have.”
    “You must be losing your touch,” Henry mocked.
    “Says the man who couldn’t interrogate a boy still wet behind the ears!”
    “I don’t want anything to be relayed to Shambles. The boy may be dim, but Shambles certainly isn’t.”
    Edmund sighed. “So what’s the next move?”
    “We’ll continue to improve our acquaintance with the family. I’m sure they’re our lead to Shambles,” Henry insisted.
    *
    The following afternoon Joshua poured himself a large glass of brandy from Charles’ decanter. “It’s the finest brandy you’ll ever taste, Charlie.”
    Charles smiled at his friend. “It certainly is!”
    “And thanks to you we’ll have a steady supply.”
    Charles still felt uneasy at what he had been in no position to refuse, but he consoled himself that