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

you assume that?”
    “You would never have agreed otherwise,” Gareth said.
    “I told you Wendover was insistent,” Robert said tersely.
    Gareth gave him a disparaging look that suggested he didn’t believe a word that came out of Robert’s mouth. “There’s hope for you still.”
    Robert knew his friends mistook his current celibacy for lack of interest in women when the truth was it was a form of penance for a guilty conscience and a mission gone horribly awry.
    A mission that had resulted in Gwendolyn’s death.
    “If either of you are asked, Lady Sophia and I met in dance class,” Robert said.
    Gareth laughed. “Damn, Robert. If I’d known you had decided to return to enjoying bachelorhood and the ladies, I would have suggested a few establishments.”
    “I never had an interest in brothels,” Robert said wryly. He knew Gareth would be the more difficult of his two friends. As a barrister who exclusively handled matrimonial matters, specifically legal separation, Gareth’s attitude toward love and marriage was cynical and jaded.
    Gareth waved him off. “Why not enjoy what life has to offer. Why agree to an engagement, even a convenient one?”
    Daniel shot Gareth a hard stare. “Leave him be, Gareth. He’s doing it for King and Country. Besides, matrimony does not have to be interpreted as a legal prison.”
    “Never mind you, Daniel,” Gareth snapped. “Women have always been drawn to you. As the heir of a viscount, you have the pick of the litter.”
    “Your concern is noted, Gareth,” Robert said. “But I assure you that the engagement will be terminated after the mission is completed. I know what I’m doing.”
    “Like hell you do,” Gareth said. “You could easily get trapped into marriage. Don’t come whining to me after the honeymoon is over. Even I can’t undo it.”
    Daniel slapped Robert heartily on the back. “Don’t listen to him, Robert. I’m relieved you’ve agreed to Wendover’s demands, even if they are for appearances only. It tells me you’ve moved on after Gwendolyn.”
    Robert took a swallow of brandy. Both Daniel and Gareth knew Robert had been enamored of Gwendolyn, but soon afterward she had died and he’d told them she was killed in a riding accident. He couldn’t admit the horrific truth behind her death, even to his close friends. Only Daniel knew how serious he had been about Gwendolyn or that they’d traveled to Scotland to marry.
    But Robert had never told Gareth.
    “I’d like to meet the lady myself. See what type of loveliness has finally pulled my friend out of celibacy,” Gareth said, his words loaded with ridicule.
    Robert studied his hawk-like features. “I’m certain you’ll find her quite charming.”
    He’d have to warn Sophia about Gareth. He knew his friend had good intentions, but Gareth had little tact. As for his friend’s legal services, thankfully Robert wouldn’t need them. He had no intention of turning the betrothal into a real marriage.
    …
    After departing White’s, Robert returned home, closed his study door, and slid the bolt in place. Behind his desk was a stone fireplace ready to be lit. Walking to the fireplace, he pressed the base of a silver candlestick resting upon the mantle and a stone loosened in the brickwork. He removed the stone to reveal a hidden safe.
    Inside were a sealed envelope and a miniature portrait.
    He reached for the envelope and returned to his desk. After breaking the seal, he withdrew a detailed map. Unlike most maps, this one did not show the distinguishing lines of passable roads, lakes, and hills, but revealed the detailed layout of the interior of Viscount Delmont’s country manor in Hatfield. Neat block print identified each room, right down to the location of the furnishings and area rugs. Robert’s eye was drawn to the small black questions marks in random rooms, noting where safes might be located.
    His lips twitched. The marquess must have had an agent inside, most likely posing as