Read Online A Code of Love (The Code Breakers 1) by Jacki Delecki - Free Book Online
Authors: Jacki Delecki
Tags: Fiction, Suspense, Romance, Historical, Action & Adventure, Adult, series, Regency, England, romantic suspense, 19th century, Family secrets, Napoléon, Bachelor, Victorian, Assassins, Britain, Protection, Forever Love, Single Woman, Missing Brother, Hearts Desire, international intrigue, London Society, Code Breakers, french spies, Harcourt Family
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achieve the effect of a lady in town for the season if you make such pronouncements to the gentlemen I meet?”
“First of all, Ash isn’t a gentleman. Second, he has known you since you were a child in curls, always pestering us with your endless questions. Isn’t that so, Ash?”
His friend was regarding Gwyneth with a bewildered expression on his face, as if he didn’t recognize the stunning woman who sat across from him. Gwyneth resembled their mother with her black hair and slanted eyes, but the liveliness and enthusiasm was clearly Gwyneth.
“Isn’t that so, Ash?” Cord repeated.
“I can’t think of either you or Ash as gentlemen after all I know about your exploits. Remember when you were both courting Widow Smithton?” Gwyneth asked.
Aware of Aunt Euphemia’s raised eyebrows, Cord promptly changed the direction of Gwyneth’s remarks. “How was your journey, Aunt Euphemia? Did the Black Swan’s accommodations meet your needs?”
“The journey was fine. Let’s hear about the London season. I’m ready to launch Gwyneth and hope that your most recent indiscretions won’t have any effect on her reputation.”
Ash stared intently down on his plate.
Cord didn’t respond to his aunt’s comments about his newest indiscretion. The less said, the better. As he had predicted, Aunt Euphemia was aware of all the gossip in the ton. He let most of the conversation wash over him, until the mention of Henrietta.
“Lady Henrietta Harcourt has a dashing Frenchman trailing her. Rumor has it he’s smitten with her,” Aunt Euphemia said.
He had trouble swallowing his bite of mutton. Henrietta couldn’t be serious about the cad. Surely she could see his hypocrisy. Isabelle was De Valmont’s mistress.
“Wasn’t it expected that Lady Henrietta would marry the Duke of Wycliffe several seasons ago?”
He had never liked Wycliffe, just as now he disliked De Valmont.
“Cordelier, do you remember rumors around Lady Henrietta and the duke?” With her usual prescience, Aunt Euphemia perceived his interest in Henrietta.
“There were rumors that Lady Henrietta was to become betrothed to him. But her mother became ill, requiring Lady Henrietta to return to the country,” he said.
Henrietta had left London before he could further his acquaintance with her, as if fate was always against him. But not any longer.
“Rumors about Henrietta? I wouldn’t believe it for a minute. She is the kindest woman, and witty,” Gwyneth said.
“When did you meet Henrietta?” He couldn’t hide the edge in his voice.
“Henrietta?” Gwyneth raised her eyebrows. “I met her at Madame du Puis’ when I went for my first fitting. She asked me to call her Henrietta.” His sister’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Did she give you permission, too?”
He had been with his sister and aunt no more than an hour and they had already deduced his entire private life.
“I don’t recall meeting Lady Henrietta at Madame du Puis’.” His aunt watched his face looking for his reactions.
“You arrived late because of your earlier commitment, Aunt. Henrietta and her good friend Amelia Bonnington were there when I arrived. I had a cozy chat with Henrietta during Amelia’s fitting. Cord, did you see Amelia and Henrietta at the Wentworth Ball? They were planning to attend.” Gwyneth watched his face with the same searching look as Aunt Euphemia.
If they weren’t his relatives, he’d consider giving his aunt and sister positions with the Abchurch office. The only problem was Aunt Euphemia didn’t take directions from anyone.
All faces were turned toward him and Ash had a ridiculous grin.
“I did see Lady Henrietta across the floor.”
Cord hadn’t seen her friend Amelia. All he had seen were hordes of men surrounding Henrietta, especially damn De Valmont. He was supposed to be the man taking her arm, touching her, smiling into her emerald eyes, not the entire male population of London.
“Did you dance with Lady
“First of all, Ash isn’t a gentleman. Second, he has known you since you were a child in curls, always pestering us with your endless questions. Isn’t that so, Ash?”
His friend was regarding Gwyneth with a bewildered expression on his face, as if he didn’t recognize the stunning woman who sat across from him. Gwyneth resembled their mother with her black hair and slanted eyes, but the liveliness and enthusiasm was clearly Gwyneth.
“Isn’t that so, Ash?” Cord repeated.
“I can’t think of either you or Ash as gentlemen after all I know about your exploits. Remember when you were both courting Widow Smithton?” Gwyneth asked.
Aware of Aunt Euphemia’s raised eyebrows, Cord promptly changed the direction of Gwyneth’s remarks. “How was your journey, Aunt Euphemia? Did the Black Swan’s accommodations meet your needs?”
“The journey was fine. Let’s hear about the London season. I’m ready to launch Gwyneth and hope that your most recent indiscretions won’t have any effect on her reputation.”
Ash stared intently down on his plate.
Cord didn’t respond to his aunt’s comments about his newest indiscretion. The less said, the better. As he had predicted, Aunt Euphemia was aware of all the gossip in the ton. He let most of the conversation wash over him, until the mention of Henrietta.
“Lady Henrietta Harcourt has a dashing Frenchman trailing her. Rumor has it he’s smitten with her,” Aunt Euphemia said.
He had trouble swallowing his bite of mutton. Henrietta couldn’t be serious about the cad. Surely she could see his hypocrisy. Isabelle was De Valmont’s mistress.
“Wasn’t it expected that Lady Henrietta would marry the Duke of Wycliffe several seasons ago?”
He had never liked Wycliffe, just as now he disliked De Valmont.
“Cordelier, do you remember rumors around Lady Henrietta and the duke?” With her usual prescience, Aunt Euphemia perceived his interest in Henrietta.
“There were rumors that Lady Henrietta was to become betrothed to him. But her mother became ill, requiring Lady Henrietta to return to the country,” he said.
Henrietta had left London before he could further his acquaintance with her, as if fate was always against him. But not any longer.
“Rumors about Henrietta? I wouldn’t believe it for a minute. She is the kindest woman, and witty,” Gwyneth said.
“When did you meet Henrietta?” He couldn’t hide the edge in his voice.
“Henrietta?” Gwyneth raised her eyebrows. “I met her at Madame du Puis’ when I went for my first fitting. She asked me to call her Henrietta.” His sister’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Did she give you permission, too?”
He had been with his sister and aunt no more than an hour and they had already deduced his entire private life.
“I don’t recall meeting Lady Henrietta at Madame du Puis’.” His aunt watched his face looking for his reactions.
“You arrived late because of your earlier commitment, Aunt. Henrietta and her good friend Amelia Bonnington were there when I arrived. I had a cozy chat with Henrietta during Amelia’s fitting. Cord, did you see Amelia and Henrietta at the Wentworth Ball? They were planning to attend.” Gwyneth watched his face with the same searching look as Aunt Euphemia.
If they weren’t his relatives, he’d consider giving his aunt and sister positions with the Abchurch office. The only problem was Aunt Euphemia didn’t take directions from anyone.
All faces were turned toward him and Ash had a ridiculous grin.
“I did see Lady Henrietta across the floor.”
Cord hadn’t seen her friend Amelia. All he had seen were hordes of men surrounding Henrietta, especially damn De Valmont. He was supposed to be the man taking her arm, touching her, smiling into her emerald eyes, not the entire male population of London.
“Did you dance with Lady
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