A Christmas Code (The Code Breakers Series Book 2) (4 page)

Fiery jealousy sent flames flicking up her spine. Were Ash and the lady involved? She couldn’t bear the thought. Her brother had reassured her before she left for the party that Ash’s intentions were honorable, but years of watching women pursue Ash and him allowing himself to be caught burned through her body like acid.

Her eagerness and enthusiasm for Christmas and the party plummeted.

How had Ash arrived at the party before her and Amelia? Had he travelled with Lady Charolois? Jealousy was a horrible sensation. Gnawing at one’s well-being.

She stood paralyzed at the door until she heard her name.

Lord Henley walked toward her. She tried to mask her surprise. She hadn’t expected the gentleman would be attending. This was going to get complicated. She didn’t want Ash to know of Aunt Euphemia’s and Henrietta’s subterfuge and that her interest in Lord Henley was a ruse.

His genuine smile of regard helped to diminish her worries. “Lady Gwyneth. I’ve been awaiting your arrival. How was your journey? I hope you’re not too fatigued by the dreadful weather?”

“Lord Henley, I didn’t know you were attending the house party. I thought you’d be returning to your estate.”

Lord Henley raised her hand to his lips, holding her gaze. “I changed my plans when I heard that you were attending.”

Oh, not good. The sinking feeling in her stomach returned, and her hunger disappeared. Now what should she say? She genuinely liked the gentleman.

“This is my first house party, and it’s the Christmas Season. Could anything be more wonderful?”

Lord Henley’s eyes darkened and his voice got gravelly. “Most assuredly.” His eyes bored into hers.

She felt like a terrible charlatan, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

“Am I interrupting anything?” Ash stood next to her. His deep baritone voice had the effect of a feather trailing down her spine, but she could also hear his antagonism.

“Ashworth, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Lord Henley said.

“Lady Gwyneth.” Ash tilted his head in a slight bow. “Henley, I’m also surprised to find you here. What brings you to Bath?”

Oh, my goodness. A faint color tinged his cheekbones as the worldly gentleman, Lord Henley stuttered, “I’ve just…arrived.”

Recognizing the poor man’s embarrassment, Gwyneth could feel her own cheeks color. “Was your travel difficult, Lord Henley?”

“The trip was easy. And what about your trip, Ashworth?”

“I am newly arrived, but I’m only here for a few days before I travel home to celebrate with my family,” Ash’s tone became formal—almost haughty.

Her attention toward Ash intensified. Did he really plan to leave before Christmas or was this part of an elaborate subterfuge?

She had to speak to Ash alone to find out who he was really here to spy on.

“Lady Gwyneth, may I get you some refreshment after your long journey?” Lord Henley asked.

She smiled warmly at Lord Henley. “Thank you. I would enjoy a little something to eat.” Who was she kidding? She was ready to eat an entire meal.

“Shall I prepare you a plate?”

She nodded in acquiescence. He was a most kind gentleman. She must find him another woman to capture his interest. She considered the debutantes of the season who might be a good match for the very handsome earl.

“I can’t believe I’m witnessing Henley acting like a besotted fool,” Ash muttered under his breath.

“What?”

“With you working your charms on him, he doesn’t have a chance. I saw the way you got all moon-eyed before I came over. The man needs to grow some bollocks.”

“Of all the crude comments. For your information, I wasn’t making mooneyes at him. I was being friendly.”

“Friendly? Henley wants more than friendly.”

Ash’s face was contorted with emotions she didn’t recognize. “What is it Ash? I’ve never seen that look before.”

His voice was rough. “Never mind. We need to talk about this little enterprise you’ve embarked upon.”

“Yes, I’m so excited to have you tell me my assignment. What do you need me to do?”

“You don’t need to…” He rubbed the blond stubble growing on his strong, square chin. It made her all warm and wobbly inside to see his manly features.

“When everyone is getting ready for dinner, meet me in the conservatory. It is in the east wing of the house.”

“Of course. I’ll dress for dinner before meeting you,” she gushed with enthusiasm. The adventure with Ash was finally beginning.

“Say nothing of the meeting to anyone including Amelia. Do you understand?” His voice had the same patronizing tone she remembered from childhood.

“Yes, I understand. And I can be discreet.”

Ash rolled his eyes toward the sky. “You and the word ‘discreet’ can’t be in the same room.”

And with that
bon mot,
he walked away.

Chapter Five

Gwyneth had dressed carefully for the secret rendezvous. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo against her chest as she peered furtively out her bedroom door. Waiting for her maid to leave had been unbearable. Lizzie had wanted to fuss with Gwyneth’s simple chignon. She had finally submitted to a more complicated style with braids at her temple and an emerald necklace and drop earrings. It had been easier to give in to Lizzie’s ministrations than to explain why she’d dressed early.

Gwyneth lifted the hem of her emerald silk dress. She had chosen the color for the holiday season, but she wore it tonight as a camouflage to blend in with the greenery.

Amelia didn’t know that the simple elegance of her design was perfect for moving stealthily. Gwyneth smoothed her hand along the lustrous fabric that hugged her waist and fell in rich folds to her feet. Although cut low and resting wide on her shoulders, the dress was perfect for the easy movement of a spy. She wore her soft slippers to minimize the noise as she descended the stairs.

She had wanted to add a sprig of holly to the ribbon that wrapped around her waist. But Lady Edworth had delayed the gathering of the holiday greens until the blasted rain stopped.

Anticipation and apprehension thrummed along her nerves as she slowly made her way down the long, narrow hallway. She could hear bits of conversations behind the closed doors, but the hallway remained empty.

She descended the long marble staircase. Brunton directed the footmen from the center of the foyer as they scurried between the salon and the dining room.

Surprise registered across Brunton’s face when he saw her, but he quickly hid any reaction and returned to his usual stony countenance. “Lady Gwyneth, may I be of service?”

She knew he wanted to ask why she had arrived early for dinner, but no butler worth his salt would question the thinking or behavior of a lady or a gentleman.

“Brunton, can you direct me to the conservatory? I’m very interested in the study of botany and couldn’t wait to see Lady Edworth’s collection. My mother often spoke of the amazing, rare species.” She was confident that the Edworth’s conservatory, like the whole estate, would be exemplary and Brunton would have no reason not to believe her. That Gwyneth was the only Beaumont fascinated by botany was known to no one but her family.

She gave her sweetest, most charming smile—the one that always melted the most hardened, including her brother and aunt. The dour man wasn’t as easily swayed.

“I’m not familiar with Lady Edworth’s plant collection, but I’m happy to have Thomas escort you.”

“Thank you, Brunton. I don’t need an escort since I know you’re all very busy with the dinner preparations.”

Brunton stiffened. His neck and shoulders grew more rigid, which was hard to imagine since the man looked as unbending as a tree trunk. Brunton opened a door off of the entranceway. “Follow this corridor. The conservatory is at the end, on the east side of the manor. Are you sure, my lady, that you don’t want Thomas to accompany you?”

She could barely contain her enthusiasm for her secret appointment with Ash. So far this spy business was invigorating. She could appreciate why her brother and Ash did undercover work. “Thank you, Brunton. I’m sure I can find my way.”

She passed the ballroom, now empty, but soon to be filled with happy couples celebrating the most magical time of year. In anticipation of the coming holiday season, she hummed the “Twelve Days of Christmas” as she moved quietly down the corridor.

The conservatory was straight ahead. The door to the expansive glass room was closed. Suddenly the light hairs on her neck and arms stood on end. She turned around quickly, feeling as if someone were watching her. She saw and heard nothing.

Assuming her vivid imagination was getting the better of her, she slowly pulled the door open with a loud squeak. Her heart hammered against her tightened corset, making it hard to breathe. She scanned the dark room searching for Ash. She hadn’t thought to bring a candle. She would remember in her next assignment to come prepared.

The warm, humid air enveloped her. Memories of playing alone on cold, wet days in Rathbourne’s conservatory rushed through her. Her interest in plants dated back to her lonely childhood days spent among tropical plants, dreaming of exciting exploits. Alone in the deepest jungle, she was the first woman discoverer to bring back exotic plants.

She could barely see the main path down the center of the conservatory. Her gown swept the flagstone, making a swishing sound that resonated loudly. She walked further into the room. In the stillness, all of her senses heightened. Someone else was here. If it were Ash, why didn’t he declare himself?

She lifted her gown with both hands, rushing to hide behind a potted Palmaceae, a palm tree from the tropics.

She froze, determined to remain still. She held her breath, afraid that the gush of air she held tightly in her chest might burst out.

Above the clamor of her heart reverberating in her ears, she could hear the distinctive sound of someone in a gown moving on the opposite side of the room. Had she interrupted a tryst?

Unfazed by the presence of a woman, she leaned around the plant to search. Nothing. She heard and saw no one. She leaned a little farther around the giant palm when suddenly she felt a push from behind. Her head jerked as her body was thrust forward. She fell to her hands and knees.

Stunned but not injured, she couldn’t get her bearings. She twisted from her position on the ground when she heard the conservatory door opening. A blond woman in a blue gown ran through the door. Lady Charolois, if Gwyneth wasn’t mistaken. But the lady couldn’t have shoved her.

Anger and fear slammed into her body, making her shaky. Was her assailant still in the conservatory? She slowly and silently pushed herself to a standing position. She needed to get away.

Looking carefully around the darkened room, listening for every sound, chills of cold and hot chased over every inch of her skin.

The door to the conservatory squeaked open pouring light into the room. She jumped behind the Palmaceae. Her heart accelerated wildly. She waited, her ears drumming with the silence.

“Gwyneth?”

Ash’s whispered voice was a balm to her shattered nerves.

She stepped out from the plant. “Ash, I’m here.”

He walked toward her. His strong profile and confident walk made her want to run into his arms, but she controlled the impulse.

“Why are you hiding?” He asked in a teasing tone.

“Why were you late?” She didn’t like the idea that he’d found her frightened at their first secret rendezvous.

“Late?” He placed one hand on his hip, his tone sardonic. “I didn’t realize I was late.”

“Never mind. I’m unsettled after my fall.”

He stepped closer to inspect her carefully, his light eyes moving over her body. “Did you trip?”

She wasn’t quick to get mad, but she felt the anger slowly moving up her spine. Cord and Ash had tormented her relentlessly about her clumsiness when she was a young girl. “First of all, I didn’t trip as you suspect. And I wasn’t clumsy as a girl. I always tried to impress you with my daring feats. And I accomplished my deeds despite growing almost as tall as Cord in one year.”

Ash snorted, which only added fuel to the burning fire of her displeasure.

“Honey, you’re not that tall.”

His endearment went a long way in appeasing her. “Did you just see Lady Charolois in the hallway?”

“No. I didn’t see anyone.”

“She just ran out of the door at the same time someone knocked me down.”

“Someone knocked you down?” Ash pulled a pistol from beneath his waistcoat and scanned the room. He moved closer to her. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, just shocked.”

“Which way did he go?”

“I’m sure he left through the garden door when I was getting up from the floor.”

“Did you recognize him?”

“No. When I was struggling to stand up, I heard the door open and saw Lady Charolois running out of the door.”

“Let me take you to your room then I’ll come back here to look around.” Ash took her by the elbow and led her toward the door.

“I’m not going to my room. I’ll go with you.” She pulled away from his arm.

He took her arm again and led her to the hallway. “You’re not going anywhere, but back to your room. You could’ve been hurt…”

She looked down the hallway and behind her before she whispered, “I’m fine. You said I could be part of this mission.”

“I never said you could be exposed to danger.”

“I want to help you, Ash.” She edged closer to him. “I’ll go to the drawing room and look for any gentleman who has wet or muddy shoes. And try to note any gentleman who is either missing or comes to the drawing room late. This will give you time to check out whether you can see any footprints by the garden door, but by the sound of the rain, I’m sure they’ll be washed away by now.”

“When did you come up with that plan?”

She brushed at the wrinkles on her dress. “Just now. It’s the logical solution.”

“I didn’t want you to be involved. That was the reason we were supposed to meet here in the first place.”

“You’ve already said all of this to me in London. I thought you changed your mind.”

“I can’t let anything happen to you. You know how much I care.” He stepped closer to her and pushed one of her hanging tendrils behind her ear. He trailed his rough fingers down her throat, back and forth over her upper chest, then teased down into her cleavage. His touch caused shivery sensations to rush into her stomach and into her legs. His cat-like eyes were focused intensely on what he did with his fingers.