Page 24 of My Gentleman Spy
Hattie stared down at her wine glass. What was she to say? That her father and mother had had a sudden conversion to a puritan sect of the church and had renounced all matters that they considered evil. Of the schism it had caused in the family, resulting in her brother and his wife severing allties?
No. She would not betray what her parents believed in. Whether she fully agreed with their choices over the past few years, she still owed them some loyalty. The work they had done in saving lives and changing futures was beyondreproach.
“I don't think it is my place to tell my father's story,” shereplied.
She lifted her head and straightened her back. Hattie had a capacity for stubbornness which her mother had oftentimes mentioned as being a serious fault in her character. Even Peter had noted that once they were married, she would have to put her willfulness aside and obeyhim.
Will slowly blinked as he sat back in his chair. His face showed no emotion. Under the table Hattie nervously cracked her knuckles. She hated the silent, guarded type of male. To her they were always harboring ill thoughts andwishes.
“Of course,” hereplied.
When the tavern owner came over with a large platter containing a lump of goat cheese, fresh tomatoes and the cooked fish, Hattie sighed withrelief.
The arrival of the food had the effect she hoped it would. Will immediately ceased his interrogation of her and picked up a tomato. He cut it in half and handed a piece toHattie.
“Coffee that's what we need,” he said, waving the tavern owner back over to theirtable.
“Have you lived in this part of the world for long?” she asked as soon as the tavern owner had disappeared back into thekitchen.
She could swear she heard Will mutter touché under his breath. The tables were being turned on theinquisitor.
“Not long. I tend to travel about a bit,” hereplied.
Hattie concentrated on the task of displaying a disinterested air, much the same as the one Will appeared to havemastered.
“Oh. So, what do you actually do Will?” shereplied.
He slowed his chewing, but other than that, showed no outward sign ofdiscomfort.
Hattie gritted her teeth. She knew enough of the Saunders family to know Will was most certainly not a man who dealt in any sort of trade. It took serious blunt to be able to be a member of theton. And his uncle was the Duke ofStrathmore.
Two can play at thatgame.
“I am in the very dull trade of import and export. I travel regularly to Spain to source goods,” hereplied.
Hattie cracked the knuckles of her other hand. This was becoming a game of lies she knew she could not win. She looked at Will. He sat smiling at her, the challenge to continue to play written all over his mirth filledface.
Sheyawned.
“I am exhausted, it has been a long day out in thesun.”
Will nodded, and yawned aswell.
“I suggest we eat and then get you back to the hotel. We have a long day ahead of ustomorrow.”
* * *
After returningto their hotel and seeing Hattie safely back to her room Will decided he needed to go for a walk. A longwalk.
He took the path which led from the town further along the beach and down to Rosia Bay, one of the few places on the western side of the Gibraltar peninsula that had an accessiblebeach.
There he kicked off his boots, rolled up his trousers and walked in the cold sea water. The sun had long set below the horizon. A golden glow lit the coastline. Somewhere nearby a local band was playing. A chorus of singers accompanied the music. The night feltmagic.
The day spent with Hattie had been one of constant revelations, both about her and surprisinglyhimself.
She had suffered at the hands of some rogue; her fear was real. What he could not grasp was why she was not prepared to trusthim.
“Am I that much of wolf?” hemuttered.
