Page 14 of To Love A Spy
“Very well. I’ll help.” Her eyes met his. “But only on one condition.”
“And what is that?”
“I go with you.”
The demand took Lynsley completely by surprise. He had been expecting her to ask for a promise to respect her privacy and forget all about this chance encounter. Using the swirl of shadows to mask his expression, he replied, “Revenge is not a good motive for a mission. The risks are great enough without emotion coming into play.”
“That is the deal. Take it or leave, milord.”
“Valencia—”
“However, I should warn you that without my vouching, you won’t get far,” she added with deliberate nonchalance. “The locals are wary of strangers, and you’re not carrying enough gold to overcome their suspicions.”
An oath slipped from Lynsley’s lips. Naturally, she would know all the standard tricks of the trade. “That’s blackmail,” he growled.
“But of course. It’s part of our basic training at the Academy,” she replied evenly.
“You’ve been taughttoowell,” he muttered.
Sparks glinted in her gaze as she turned away. A mere reflection of the candleflame, he wondered. Or the stirring of some inner fire?
“I haven’t forgotten the lessons of the past, sir,” came a low whisper.
“Would that you recalled the ones regarding obeying a direct order,” he said with a harried sigh.
Valencia’s shoulders stiffened. “I am no longer under your command.”
“Then let me phrase it as a request,” he said. “Let me handle this on my own.”
She shook her head. “Sorry, but I can’t.”
Lynsley swore again. “Bloody hell! Don’t you see that such a reckless, obstinate attitude jeopardizes the chances?—”
A low laugh caused him to cut off his ire.
“Sorry,” she said again, a half smile softening the sardonic set of her mouth. “But an outburst of emotion from the unflappable Lord Lynsley is something of a shock.” The twitch of her lips stilled. “You know, among the Merlins you were known as ‘The Sphinx’ because your expression was always an enigma. Indeed, it appeared carved out of stone. None of us could ever guess at what you werereallythinking.”
“I imagine you have some inkling of my thoughts right now,” he replied tersely.
“Yes—you wish me to Hades. But you have to admit, sir, that we are both creatures of the Underworld, at home in the swirl of murk and shadows.”
“But as you just said, it is no longer your world,” he reminded her. “You can’t have it both ways, Valencia.”
“No, not if I am bound by your rules, milord. However, I no longer feel I have to play fair.”
“Damn it, this isn’t a game,” he growled.
Valencia turned, the sudden swoosh of wool stirring the tension between them as she jerked her skirts up. Holding the candle close to her bared leg, she let out a harsh sigh. “I’ve lived with that knowledge for ten years.”
The scar, an angry red slash of puckered flesh, started just above her left knee and cut the length of her thigh. The full impact was obscured by the delicate lace of her drawers. But Lynsley recalled the surgeon’s report, describing in gristly detail the damage the Frenchman’s knife had done to muscle and sinew.
He looked away.
“Not a pretty sight, is it, milord?” The cloth fell back place.
“I . . .” His throat tightened.What could he say?
“I don’t want your pity, Lord Lynsley,” she said roughly. “I want a chance?—”
