Page 65 of Lone Spy

"We should go for a ride tomorrow morning," Omar suggests. "The park is best seen from the back of a horse."

"I'm not sure I've got the skills," I say. "Or the clothing."

"I'm sure we can rustle up a kit for you," Ben says. "It will be fun. There are several horses who will take good care of you."

"You just told me a story about how your horses were spooked by a stag and dumped you into a mud pit."

"I will remind you," Ben says, "that we were quite drunk."

I laugh. "Well, if you keep giving me cups of tea this strong, I'll hardly be sober."

"Don't worry," Omar says. "They don't spike the morning coffee."

"Of course not," Ben says, feigning insult. "We wait until noon to start drinking like all civilized people."

"Unless it's Bloody Marys," Omar points out, his tone serious. Grave almost.

"That goes without saying." Ben waves the comment aside. "Bloody Marys are not considered alcoholic. Too many vegetables."

"I didn't realize the vegetable count of a beverage had anything to do with its intoxication effects," I say.

"Happy to enlighten you." Ben grins at me.

I laugh.

“Do come riding with me tomorrow,” Omar says. “We will find you clothing. Do you have everything you need for the hunt?” he asks.

“I think so; Rashid and Lloyd conferred, I believe.” I knew for a fact they had talked in great detail about the necessary boots, tweed suit, and walking stick I’d need for tromping around the Scottish countryside.

“Excellent,” Ben says, nodding with approval.

"How did you like Rome?" Omar asks me, changing the subject.

"I didn't get to spend any time outside of work, unfortunately. Besides a few dinners that were lovely. Though I'm back on a strict diet as I prepare for training. So I mostly lusted after my friend’s pasta."

Both men laugh. "It must be hard for you to go out in public, sightseeing," Omar says.

I shrug. "Yes and no. I've been known to don a pair of sunglasses and a hat to enjoy some time in public." Omar's eyes wander down my body.How do you cover that up?And he's not wrong. Even with a hat and sunglasses people stare. Men stare. "In LA mostly people leave you alone even if they recognize you, unless they're a tourist."

"Your security seems to be quite good," Ben notes.

"Yes, I have a great team. But they can also draw attention. And I do miss going out alone."

"A joy that Victoria has never known," Ben says, his tone still jovial, but the words are cruel somehow. She's spent her entire life in castles like this one. In large rooms hung with oil paintings of her ancestors scowling or hunting. I have yet to see a painting with a smiling subject.

"Don't feel too bad for me," Victoria says from the doorway. "I do have a fifty thousand-acre estate in Scotland." She smiles broadly as she comes back to the couch, settling in with Ben, leaning into his side. He kisses the top of her head. "Not to mention a really fabulous place in central London."

"Everything okay, darling?" Ben asks.

"Yes." She tilts her head to look up at him. "Though it's probably time to go dress for dinner."

"Yes, I think you're right," Ben agrees. Omar glances at his watch and a subtle smile steals over his features.

Ben stands, holding out his hand to pull his wife up next to him. "We will see you both at seven-thirty for cocktails." I glance down at my tea, realizing it is not considered a cocktail. All sorts of interesting nuances here.

Victoria and Ben leave, their pace quick, his hand on her lower back, their heads bent together.

Omar looks over at me,his eyes twinkling in the firelight.

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