Read Online A Spy Unmasked (Entangled Scandalous) by Tina Gabrielle - Free Book Online

book felt heavy in her hands. “Thank you for returning it, my lord…Robert.”
    “That’s it.” He walked her to the door and raised her hand to his lips. “Until the Camerons’ ball tomorrow night.”
    Her treacherous body tingled from the contact, and she nervously bit her bottom lip.
    “Are you sure you can carry this off, Sophia?” he asked.
    “Yes.” No! She wasn’t certain of her resolve around him.
    “What about your story?” she retorted. “What will you tell your friends and acquaintances about me?”
    “Leave them to me.”

Chapter Seven
    Robert looked up from his brandy as his old-school friends, Gareth Ramsey and Daniel Forster, joined him at his table in White’s club.
    “It must be important news indeed for you to ask us to meet before noon,” Daniel said, as a waiter arrived at their table and set down two additional glasses of brandy.
    Gareth reached for his glass. “Now does this have anything to do with your tedious work for the ordinance department? You have a title now, you don’t need to work in order to keep up appearances.”
    Robert leaned back in his chair. He’d been first to be recruited by the Home Office for his unique talents of finessing safes open. Thereafter Wendover had need of more agents—gentlemen who had access to high society and the beau monde —and Daniel and Gareth had been recruited. The three were no longer just former school friends; they were colleagues in espionage and akin to brothers.
    “No, it has nothing to do with my work for the ordinance department. And I’ve told you before, I remain there because I enjoy it,” Robert said.
    “Does it concern your inheritance then? Don’t tell me debt collectors are pounding on your door. Those parasites crawl out of the woodwork whenever someone unexpected inherits,” Gareth said.
    Robert chuckled. “No, it’s not that either, but an important matter nonetheless.”
    Several tables away, an excited shout drew Robert’s attention. A group of gentleman were playing a high stakes game of whist, a small fortune in banknotes resting on the table between them. The aristocracy and how easily they spent their money had always amused Robert. He was still unaccustomed to his new title and the additional wealth that accompanied it.
    “Well, man, what could be so important?” Daniel asked, drawing Robert’s attention back to them.
    “I’m engaged to be married,” Robert said.
    Gareth and Daniel froze, both cradling their glasses, incredulous expressions on their faces.
    “Aren’t you going to wish me future happiness?” Robert said drily.
    “We would if it made any sense,” Daniel said.
    “Who is she?” Gareth demanded.
    “Lady Sophia Merrill, the daughter of the late Marquess of Haverton.”
    “Haverton? The Mad Marquess?” Gareth asked.
    “I hadn’t heard he died,” Daniel said.
    “It’s been kept quiet by the family,” Robert said.
    “We didn’t even know you’d been courting her. Come to think of it, we didn’t know you’d been interested in any woman lately,” Gareth said mockingly.
    Robert expected Gareth’s sarcasm. After all, Robert had always enjoyed female companionship as a university student and years thereafter. His friends would often jest that they would wait by the wayside to console the barmaids Robert would reject. But circumstances had changed, and much to his friends’ vexation, Robert had been celibate for the past two years.
    Robert lowered his voice. “I’ve been assigned a new mission and Wendover insists that I need a lady to accompany me.” He knew they wouldn’t ask about the investigation. The Home Office demanded complete secrecy, and as spies themselves, they understood this rule. But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t inquire about Sophia.
    “And you agreed to the engagement?” Daniel asked.
    “The marquess believes it necessary,” Robert said.
    Gareth smirked. “She must be attractive.”
    Robert shot Gareth a black, layered look. “What makes