Read Online Behind the Marquess's Mask (The Lords of Whitehall Book 1) by Kristen McLean - Free Book Online Page A

conversation.
    Grey turned in his chair to see Saint Brides standing in the doorway.
    “The Chief Operating Officer is involved in this?” Grey asked with a raised brow.
    “I am,” Saint Brides confirmed. At only four and twenty, the Earl of Saint Brides was the most respected man at Whitehall for his sense of justice and analytical superiority. He might not be the most charismatic gentleman in government, but he was beyond a doubt the most intelligent.
    “And you are authorizing this little charade?” Grey asked. “You, who are the most tight-arsed stickler for rules and regulations I have ever known?”
    Saint Brides frowned. “I don’t like it, but I can’t do much else. Being the daughter of a Member of Parliament, she’s under our protection.”
    “Ship her off to Italy,” Grey suggested. “Hide her there. No one will expect it.”
    “And if they find her a thousand miles from home?” Saint Brides shook his head. “No, it’s much easier to keep an eye on our enemy if he’s in our backyard, and we want this target eliminated. At the same time, this is a delicate situation. We must take her family into consideration.”
    “What do you know of her family?” Grey asked icily.
    “I received a letter from Lord Grenville this morning,” Saint Brides answered, unaffected. “As you can imagine, he does not wish his wife or daughter to suffer needlessly. The girl cannot be spirited away if we have other means.”
    “Christ!” Grey exclaimed harshly. “You don’t have other means—”
    “Your name was also mentioned,” Saint Brides interjected.
    Grey felt his hand aching to flex, but he forced it to stay lax. “By Grenville?”
    Saint Brides nodded.
    “What did he say?” Grey waited for the inevitable set down.
    “He’s seen your work and fought side by side with you in the war. He believes you capable,” Saint Brides said, his green eyes assessing everything from under a knit brow.
    Grey hid his surprise with a grimace.
    “Personally, I do not trust you, Ainsley,” Saint Brides said. “You are unpredictable. I would have Pembridge on it if he hadn’t burst into my office, spouting some nonsense about retiring to the country or France or what-have-you. Infuriating, inconvenient rubbish.” Saint Brides stepped forward with narrowed eyes and added, “If you lose your temper and bugger this up at the cost of that girl’s life, I swear I shall send you to India and leave you there until you die of malaria.”
    Grey gave Saint Brides a wary look. “Noted. Is Grenville coming back to England?”
    “He cannot,” Saint Brides replied, immediately recovering himself. “We won’t risk losing all we have worked for by removing him from France now.”
    Thank God for small mercies.
    Grey rubbed his eyes, dark spots blurring his vision when he released them to scowl at Matthews. “And my part?” he asked reluctantly.
    He really had no choice in the matter. Between Saint Brides, Matthews, and Grenville, Grey would have to take on all of the Ministry of Defense if he refused.
    “I can’t tell you how vital it is that no harm comes to Lady Kathryn,” Saint Brides explained.
    Grey decided not to mention he had already failed to protect her twice. Though, if he had known what he was up against, he might have acted a bit differently.
    “Grenville is an important member of Parliament, as you know,” Saint Brides was saying, “and this department relies on his influence.”
    Matthews spoke up from behind the desk. “It’s sensitive. She doesn’t remember anything, so we have to give her complete protection without her suspecting a thing.”
    She doesn’t remember anything. The words echoed in his mind and twisted in his gut. It was all because he hadn’t followed her into that bleeding alley—all because he had failed Grenville. Even so…
    Grey shook his head. “You must be out of your mind. To do that, I would have to be practically courting the girl!”
    “Yes,” Saint Brides returned