Read Online A Lady's Revenge by Tracey Devlyn - Free Book Online Page A

not have said that about Miss Cora’s mother.”
    “Rest easy, Dinks,” Guy said. “You did not say anything that I did not already know.” Cora wasn’t the only one protective of those she loved. He thought back to an alcohol-induced conversation he’d had years ago with Danforth and knew, as Dinks knew, that Cora worried about something far more insidious than becoming one of those “cowardly society ladies.”
    “You’re a true friend, Dinks. Thank you for taking such good care of her.” He bowed and turned to leave. “Don’t forget—tomorrow morning at eight.”
    The maid beamed. “She’ll be ready, my lord. Don’t you worry.”
    By slow degrees, the nausea abated. He would spend the rest of the day figuring out the best approach to dealing with Cora’s mental wounds. It would take skillful cunning on his part, for she would not welcome his interference. But he knew how to tiptoe around her prickly pride. Had done so for years.
    As Guy descended the staircase, Somerton appeared in the doorway of his study.
    “Helsford, do you have a moment?” Not waiting for an answer, Somerton turned on his heel and disappeared inside.
    Guy stared at the empty space a moment before following in his mentor’s wake.
    The moment Guy closed the door, Somerton said, “We must move Cora someplace safe.”
    “Has there been a new development?” Guy asked.
    “My sources report a great deal of activity at Valère’s chateau a few days ago. From the sounds of it, he might have been marshaling for an extended journey.”
    “Can we not wait until you receive something more certain? She can barely walk.”
    Somerton’s lips thinned, unaccustomed to explaining himself. “No. I can’t take the chance. He could be here even now. Rather than bringing her here, I should have sent her to a safe house the moment you landed on English soil, but I allowed my emotions to have their sway.”
    “Do you really think Valère would risk crossing the Channel for her?”
    “Yes.”
    Guy remained focused on Cora’s lack of physical strength, ignoring his instincts. “Surely not with the contentious relationship we have with France—”
    “Our lack of rapport with France did not stop you from entering the country to save Cora, did it?”
    Guy canted his head to the side, eyeing his mentor. “I thought I was there to rescue our agent Raven.”
    A muscle jumped in Somerton’s jaw. The Nexus leader didn’t make such greenling mistakes.
    “Why do you deny Cora’s the Raven?” Guy asked.
    “I denied nothing.”
    “Nor did you confirm my suspicion for Danforth.” Guy could still hear Danforth’s laughter ringing in his ears after he had declared Cora the Raven.
    “I don’t reveal my agents’ identities.” Somerton’s gaze turned so hard and frigid that ice crystals seemed to form around their crystalline edges. “Not to anyone.”
    The muscles in Guy’s shoulders bunched into a tight knot. He knew the only reason he, Cora, and Ethan were aware of each other’s role in the organization was due to the nature of their upbringing. Had they not trained together as children, they would likely not know each provided a service to the Nexus.
    Somerton said, “Shall we get back to Cora’s safety?”
    Chastened but no less irritated, Guy nodded.
    “With her great-aunt’s sponsorship, Cora was able to mingle with Parisian society as herself. Valère knows Cora’s true identity.”
    “I know,” Guy ground out. Considering Valère’s resourcefulness, he probably knew she was the Raven. An English spy who had penetrated France’s elite and had cost Napoleon—and Valère—much.
    “Good,” Somerton said. “Then you understand the situation.”
    “Indeed. For the record, I agree.”
    “About what?”
    “That you should have put Cora in a safe house the moment she arrived.”
    His mentor’s jaw visibly hardened. “The question still remains—what did Cora tell Valère?”
    “Cora said she told him nothing, and I believe