Read Online A Spy's Devotion by Melanie Dickerson - Free Book Online

of exposing her and her vulnerable situation. And then, his chest had burned at the way Edgerton had looked at her—like a wolf.
    But he had to stay focused on the task at hand, which was to endear himself to Mr. Wilhern and his family, get as close to him as possible, and find out anything he could about what these traitors to England were planning. He couldn’t afford to be distracted by the lovely Miss Grey.

    Julia came down the stairs the next morning, ready to call on Monsieur and Madame Bartholdy, as she did every Tuesday. A servant started up the stairs but stopped when she saw Julia coming down.
    “Miss Leorah Langdon is here to see you, miss.”
    “Show her into the drawing room.”
    Julia was already in the room when Leorah entered.
    “Were you on your way out?” Leorah saw Julia laying aside her bonnet.
    “I am in no hurry. I often call on my old tutor and his wife, Monsieur and Madame Bartholdy, on Tuesdays.”
    “Oh yes, Monsieur Bartholdy! You mentioned him last night.”
    “Would you like to accompany me? I’m sure he would be delighted to make your acquaintance.”
    “I would love to, but I cannot today. I have too many people I have to return calls to, but I wanted to see you.”
    “Shall I get Phoebe? I’m sure she would wish to see you.” Phoebe would never forgive Julia if she spent time with Mr. Langdon’s sister and did not tell her.
    “Oh no, don’t disturb her. I won’t be staying, but I did want to know the title of that song you sang here a few nights ago.”
    They discussed music and songs, and Julia happily offered to let Leorah borrow some of her music.
    After only a few minutes, Leorah politely took her leave, leaving Julia with a smile on her face.
    No sooner had Leorah left than the servant announced Miss Felicity Mayson.
    “Forgive me for being late,” Felicity said, slightly out of breath, “but I quite lost myself in reading Mrs. Radcliffe’s latest novel, The Italian . Have you read it, Julia?” Felicity asked.
    “No. I read The Mysteries of Udolpho , but it was not to my taste.”
    “Ah yes, you are much too sensible to read such novels, Julia, but I confess, Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels are my favorites.”
    Felicity’s strawberry-blond hair perfectly suited her pale porcelain skin and green eyes. Men always took a second look at her but shied away when they learned she had no fortune. She never seemed to notice or care, and she was Julia’s favorite walking companion.
    “I suppose Miss Appleby did not want to join us.”
    “No, she’s already had her morning walk and was frightened by there being too many men in the streets this morning. She’s worn out from dodging their eye contact.”
    “Poor Miss Appleby,” Julia said of Felicity’s shy spinster aunt. “We must be off, then. The Bartholdys will wonder why we are so late.” With that, Julia and Felicity set out for Bishopsgate Street.
    While alone in the carriage, Julia quickly related to Felicity what had happened at the ball.
    “Perhaps Mr. Edgerton is in love with you, Julia,” Felicity said. “I know he made you feel uncomfortable, but perhaps he does not know the right way to flirt, or he was about to ask you to marry him but you left too quickly.”
    “Perhaps.” Julia hated to falsely accuse anyone.
    They had a nice visit with the Bartholdys, talking nearly the entire time about music and composers, perhaps Julia’s favorite subject of conversation, and Madame Bartholdy served them her special cream cake.
    When the visit was over, Julia’s driver took them back to Mayfair, dropping Felicity off at her nearby house.
    Once home again, Julia took off her gloves and bonnet and started up to her room. Phoebe appeared at the top of the stairs and hurried down so quickly Julia held her breath, fearing she would miss a step in her haste and fall headlong.
    “Julia, where have you been?” Without giving her time to reply, Phoebe rushed on. “You’ll never guess what Father has done. He has