Page 4 of The Highlander's Alluring Spy
The Duke spoke to her with a deferential nod. “That is correct, Lady Winterbourne,” he said. “Your astuteness does your father credit. However, peace is fleeting, and if the Scots attack and we are unprepared, it could be deadly.”
The Marquess nodded. “Quite. Which is why we must send one of our agents to retrieve information. We know from past work that they will likely gather around the Laird of the MacFoihl Clan. We need someone to go into his castle and find out what they are planning.”
Lord Kole straightened in his chair. “Your Grace, I know of Nathair Irvine. I would be happy to—”
“Which is why,” the Duke’s words cut across him, “Lord Winterbourne has invited his daughter here today. We believe that you, my dear, could be instrumental in preventing this new war before it begins.”
Magnolia took a moment to understand precisely what the Duke had just said. “Forgive me, but…me? Why not Lord Reid? Lord Jenkins? Or here, the Viscount himself has just offered.”
The Duke smiled and opened his mouth to answer her.
“Your Grace, I must object!” Lord Kole interrupted. “Lady Winterbourne is no doubt extremely skilled and talented, but we must not forget ourselves. She is a woman still, no matter her wit, and unwed at that. Should we risk her safety in such an endeavor? The Scots are barbaric.”
Magnolia knew that he was only attempting to protect her, but she felt a shudder of irritation, nonetheless. Keeping her face smooth, she glanced at him and said, “Why, My Lord, is not our Queen an unwed woman?”
An expression passed Lord Kole’s face too quickly for Magnolia to process, but he nodded and said, in that same polite tone, “Indeed. But Her Divine Majesty is an exception to many rules, while you…”
“Are the daughter of our most loyal Earl, and a proven agent in her own right,” the Marquess finished mildly. “And, therefore, an excellent candidate for this role. Reid and Jenkins are talented in their ways, but they are too hot-headed for this mission. Magnolia is the one who will do it.”
Both Kole and Magnolia were silent for a moment, then Kole held out his hands in defeat. “Of course. I simply wish what is best for the Lady.”
“You are very kind, Lord Kole,” Magnolia told him. It was true. He may be misguided, but it still warmed her heart that he would try to protect her in such a way.
“Indeed.Mostkind,” Magnolia’s father agreed. For some reason, he sounded somewhat amused. “My Lord Marquess, if you would continue?”
Marquess Conley smiled and addressed Magnolia. “The Laird of MacFoihl has a young daughter. He has been searching for someone to care for her since the death of his wife. My Lady, if she would, could infiltrate the castle as a nanny. It would make her inconspicuous, and we have been presented with a cover story that cannot be questioned.”
When Magnolia took a long moment to answer, the Marquess turned to her father and added, “What say you, Lord Winterbourne?”
“I am entirely in support of the idea. I have no doubt of my daughter’s capabilities or loyalties,” her father said with a nod. “Though I defer to her in the final decision.”
Magnolia felt a surge of almost overwhelming excitement at the idea. Such a critical mission, and for her?
A chance to serve the Crown in full and prove my detractors wrong at last!
However, she spoke with caution as she answered. “I am flattered, My Lords, Your Grace, but…even if I am to use an alias in Scotland, shan’t it seem suspicious here in court that my esteemed Father would send his only heir as a nanny?”
The Marquess grinned. “Oh, youarea clever one. But we have thought of all of that. Tell her, Daniel.”
Winterbourne smiled at the girl. “My cousin, your Aunt Mary, is with child,” he informed her. “And she assures me that she expects a son. Assuming this is true, then the boy would be my heir. Legally.”
Magnolia could not tell if this was a ruse. Assuming that it was not, she was not entirely sure how to feel about the news. If Aunt Mary was really with child, then that was wonderful news, of course. Yes, it would mean giving up the heirship if the baby was a boy, but a new family member was a blessing.
So why do I feel so uncertain about it? Am I so uncertain of myself? Of my place? Do I not know who I am, regardless of my duty?
That thought unsettled her more than she would like, and so she turned her focus once more to the mission.
She was silent for a long moment, all eyes on her. When she spoke, it was slow and considered. “Of course, my first duties are to my Father and to the Crown. How would this project be organized?”
The Duke glanced at the Marquess, who fixed his glasses and recited, “You will apply for, and hopefully be accepted for, the job. You will send one letter to your Father, in code, to inform him you have been accepted. It will be under a false name.”
He glanced at the parchment in front of him. “You will live with the Laird as his daughter’s new nanny for a month of at least four weeks from the moment of hiring. After the month is complete, you will submit a report, and you will return home while the matter is dealt with by our men.”
She nodded, and the Marquess continued. “You may flee if discovered, but if you are caught, you will deny any knowledge of the Order or the workings of the Crown. Anything urgent must be reported immediately. You will leave in two days and have that much time to settle your affairs and gather what you need to leave.”
Lord Kole looked worried. “If they catch her, she could be hanged. The Scots are savages. Her pretty face won’t save her, nor will her esteemed and genteel manners. You are risking Lord Winterbourne’s only child. Much better that you dispense with the nanny plan altogether and send in an experienced agent.”
Magnolia hesitated at the thought. “Is that true, Father? I could be hanged?”
