Sophie closed her eyes for a moment and pressed her head back against the cushion, willing herself to relax. A show of nerves would not do, especially with Campbell’s no-nonsense, exceedingly devoted secretary seated across from her. Sophie dug her nails into the cushion a bit deeper, feeling the woman’s eyes on her at that very moment, observing her every move. Was Miss Beddingham experiencing a twinge or two of apprehension? It would be only natural given the circumstances. Plucked out of the safe confines of the editor’s office at theHerald, Rebecca Beddingham had traded her usual duties for her first assignment in the field.
More likely than not, they would spend their days filling time rather than facing down some sinister menace. But the potential for danger could not be denied. Still, holing away like a fox chased by hounds went against Sophie’s every instinct. At least in the city, she might’ve slipped away from her exile to pursue an inquiry or two. Surely, the villain who’d seen to Trask’s death would not be so bold as to attack her on a crowded street in the light of day.
Now, she’d be penned up in what amounted to a spacious prison—and with Stanwyck, no less.
Gavin would not allow himself to consider that she did not need his protection. The man’s thick skull was likely as impenetrable as Hunter’s Folly’s stone walls. Quite ironic, that.She’dhad to do the rescuing the last time the curs had reared their heads. Of course, Jack and Reggie had employed the element of surprise in their favor. But that scarcely signified. She was a trained operative. She knew how to use a gun and an assortment of other less conventional devices that would bring an assailant to his knees. She neither wanted nor needed Stanwyck to play the white knight.
The carriage jolted. Behind them, Bertram’s brother Fitzhugh drove a second coach carrying Gavin, his assistant, and supplies to see them through at least a week. Sophie smiled to herself, envisioning Gavin and Henry enduring the same jaw-rattling pace. Undoubtedly, the men would’ve preferred to ride their own mounts to the estate, but to travel unprotected in full view posed far too great a risk.
“Blast these ruts! We’ll be fortunate if Bertram does not manage to jar loose every tooth in our heads by the time we cross onto the grounds of the estate.”
Seated on the padded bench across from her, Miss Beddingham nodded in agreement as she gripped the edge of the seat with white-knuckled hands. Jennie had insisted Sophie be accompanied by another female, if only to provide a sense of camaraderie and propriety in what would likely be an exercise in isolation.
Not that Sophie gave a fig for what was proper and what was not. What did it matter? After all was said and done, she and Gavin would go their separate ways. It wasn’t as if a passionate indulgence or two would irreparably alter the course of her life.
Sophie glanced from the window, watching as the greens and golds of the countryside seemed to speed past. She wanted to deny the effect Gavin Stanwyck had upon her, the way her heart sped ever so slightly at the very sight of him, the way her mouth went dry with longing when he spoke her name in that husky rasp of his. Oh, well, there was nothing to be done about it now. She’d indulged her hunger for his touch, only to discover there was no sating the need he’d kindled deep within her. How was she to avoid that particular temptation while under the same roof with the man, even if that roof was atop a castle?
Did Jennie suspect she’d developed a taste for Gavin Stanwyck’s kiss? She had not expressed as much, but she had made it clear he proved a distraction.
Sophie smiled to herself. Her mentor was certainly well-versed in that very subject, wasn’t she? After all, her beloved Matthew had once been at the center of her investigation into a vicious criminal organization. Seeing the man of integrity beneath the brutal façade, she’d fallen for the supposed sinister inspector. In the process, their lives had been forever changed.
Of course, Gavin Stanwyck had little in common with Matthew Colton—other than his courage. And his clever mind. And his stubborn intention to make a play at chivalry.
Dash it all, she didn’t want to like the man. It would be far easier to simply desire his lean, hard-muscled body and indulge in a spot of pleasure or two…or three…without craving his spontaneous smile, his biting wit, and his all-too-infuriating arrogance.
“My, I’ve never been on an assignment. It’s all so very exciting,” Rebecca said, her blue eyes radiant with enthusiasm. The soft-spoken comment provided Sophie a welcome escape from her thoughts.
Perhaps a year or two older than Sophie, Rebecca managed MacAllister Campbell’s office with an exacting efficiency. Despite her obvious discomfort at being tossed about like a stone inside a tumbler, her excitement at being chosen for this mission overruled her chattering teeth.
Sophie braced herself against another rut in the road. “I don’t want to disappoint you, but I suspect this may well be a rather dull experience.”
Rebecca’s mouth curved in a subtle smile. “In any case, it’s bound to be more intriguing than fiddling about with Mr. Campbell’s correspondence and his oh-so-precise files.”
“Undoubtedly,” Sophie agreed. “He is fortunate to have your assistance.”
She gave a little sniff. “At times, I feel the fern on my desk receives more recognition.”
So, Mac Campbell’s devoted secretary was not quite as selflessly devoted as she appeared. Interesting. Could it be that Miss Beddingham had developed a rogue feeling or two for theHerald’s inscrutable editor and the agency’s third-in-command?
“He’s a hard man to know,” Sophie said. “I doubt even Jennie can read him at times.”
“Indeed. I sometimes find myself wondering about him…about how he came to be so reticent. He’s scarcely a decade older than myself, but he carries himself as if the weight of the world is on his shoulders.”
“He’s quite protective,” Sophie said. “I’m positive he values your contributions more than he has expressed.”
Rebecca nodded. “It is refreshing to have a change of duties. Finally, someone has realized I can do something other than ferry messages and attend to the daily post.”
They passed an hour or so making light conversation before the carriage turned onto a gravel-paved lane, and Sophie took in her first view of Hunter’s Folly.
My heavens, Stanwyck had not exaggerated when he’d described his father’s country house as a fortress. The residence, if indeed that was the correct term for the massive structure, was an actual castle, built of stone and mortar that had withstood centuries of wind and rain.
“Well, it certainly looks secure,” Rebecca said. “I cannot imagine anyone could breach those walls.”
Sophie sighed. “If one can tolerate being cloistered within them.”
Rebecca’s brows formed an upside-down vee. “Surely we will be able to explore the grounds. The foliage is magnificent.”
“Soon enough. Colton’s agents are on the trail of the men who attacked Stanwyck. It won’t be long until the source of the threat is identified and apprehended.”
