A Shadowed Charade (The Lockwood Family #4)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

England, 1813

Lady Melody Lockwood tapped the end of the quill against her lips as she studied the coded message before her. It was one that she had not seen before. It was frustrating and time-consuming work, but she loved nothing more than when she could crack a difficult code.

No one, not even her family, knew about her covert activities. It had to be this way, since she had been recruited as a spy at her boarding school. She didn’t want to put them in danger. Although there was little chance of that. She received coded messages from Lord Emberly—under the guise of Josephine. As far as her family was concerned, her friend was the most proficient letter writer.

However, Lord Emberly was not truly her friend. When they crossed paths at social events, their interactions were nothing more than formal pleasantries, the type of exchanges designed to maintain the appearance of civility. He was certainly handsome enough but far too solemn for her taste.

This coded message was different. It hadn’t come from Lord Emberly, as all the others had. Instead, it had arrived by post, sealed with an unfamiliar wax stamp and bearing no return address. The handwriting on the front was neat but unfamiliar. The absence of any clue to the sender’s identity only added to the mystery.

A knock came at the door before it was pushed open, revealing her lady’s maid. “Good morning, my lady,” Lydia greeted.

Melody placed the quill next to the ink pot. “Good morning,” she responded.

Lydia walked over to the wardrobe and retrieved a pale pink gown. “Shall we dress you for the day?”

Folding the paper, Melody slipped it into the top drawer of her desk. “I suppose it is that time of day.”

“You must hurry if you wish to join your family for breakfast,” Lydia encouraged.

“I am not sure what the point is, since Bennett is in Scotland with his wife, and Winston is on his wedding tour,” Melody said. “I should just have a tray sent up to my room.”

Lydia placed the gown on the bed. “I do believe your mother enjoys eating breakfast with you and Lady Elodie.”

Melody rose from her seat. “You are right,” she said. “I should not deprive my mother of my company.”

Her lady’s maid smiled. “You are most kind and gracious.”

The door suddenly opened and her twin sister, Elodie, entered the room. “I just heard the most distressing news.”

Melody knew her sister was prone to exaggeration, so she wasn’t overly worried. “And what is that?” she asked, feigning interest.

Elodie dropped down onto the bed in an unladylike fashion. “The dancing master has arrived, no doubt to torture us,” she declared. “I don’t know why Mother sent for him.”

“That is an easy enough answer, considering you are a terrible dancer,” Melody teased.

“It is hardly my fault,” Elodie contended. “I was born with the inability to dance.”

Melody laughed. “You would have been much more proficient if you hadn’t skipped dancing lessons at our boarding school.”

“Those were so boring,” Elodie remarked.

“My point exactly,” Melody said. “Besides, you know how Mother is. She is ensuring we are prepared for the upcoming Season.”

Elodie let out an exaggerated sigh. “Do not remind me. I feel like a cow being put on display for the highest buyer.” She paused, a frown marring her features. “Life was much simpler when Father wasn’t a marquess. Mother is undoubtedly trying to marry me off to a prince.”

Melody rose from her seat and walked over to the dressing table. She removed her cap, and Lydia began to arrange her hair.

“You would make a terrible princess,” Melody remarked, watching her sister’s reflection in the mirror.

“Precisely, but what else am I supposed to do?” Elodie asked as she adjusted the sleeves of her blue gown.

“You could do precisely what Mother expects you to do and learn from the dancing master,” Melody suggested.

“Where is the fun in that?” Elodie asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

Lydia spoke up as she stepped back. “Do you like your hair, my lady?”

Turning to the side, Melody admired the elegant chignon. “It is lovely,” she said. “You outdid yourself.”

“Shall we dress you?” Lydia asked as she moved to retrieve the gown.

As Melody dressed, Elodie glanced at the corner writing desk. “Were you writing to Josephine again?”

“I was,” Melody confirmed.

Elodie frowned. “Why can’t I remember Josephine from our boarding school?”

Melody felt a twinge of guilt for lying to her sister, but it had to be done. She didn’t dare reveal the truth. It would put her sister—and her entire family—at risk.

“She was only there for a few months our first year,” Melody said. “She was rather reserved. It doesn’t surprise me that you don’t remember her.”

“I should remember her, considering how close you two are.”

“We didn’t get close until we started writing back and forth,” Melody responded as she smoothed her gown.

Lydia held Melody’s discarded clothing in her hand and asked, “Will there be anything else, my lady?”

Melody shook her head. “Not at this time.”

Elodie jumped up from the bed. “Shall we go to breakfast?” she asked, a grin spreading across her face. “I find that I am famished.”

“You are always famished,” Melody joked.

“Luckily, with Bennett and Winston gone, no one can steal the food off my plate.”

Melody walked over to the door. “Yes, but I know you miss them terribly.”

“I do,” Elodie admitted.

Stepping out into the corridor, they headed towards the main level of Brockhall Manor. Once they arrived at the entry hall, Melody acknowledged the butler with a tip of her head. “Good morning, White.”

The tall, lanky butler responded in kind. “Good morning, my lady,” he greeted with his usual stoic expression.

“Has my mother come down for breakfast yet?” Melody asked.

“Indeed, she has,” White responded, his posture as straight and formal as ever.

Melody offered him a brief smile before she walked towards the dining room. Once she arrived, she saw her mother sitting at one end of the long, rectangular table, engrossed in the newssheets. Her once vibrant blonde hair had faded, and the lines around her face had deepened.

Her mother looked up when she saw them enter. “Girls,” she said, a warm smile lighting her face. “I was wondering when you two were going to come down.”

A footman stepped forward to pull out a chair, and Melody sat down, reaching for a white linen napkin. “Is there anything interesting in the newssheets?”

Her mother folded the newssheets and placed them next to her. “You know your father doesn’t like you to read the newssheets.”

“Well, Father isn’t here, is he?” Elodie asked, reaching for the newssheets with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

With an unconcerned look, her mother picked up her fork and knife. “Well, do try not to be overinformed on any specific topic.”

Melody ate as White entered the room with a letter on a silver tray. He approached her and announced, “A messenger just arrived with a letter for you, my lady.”

“Truly?” Melody asked as she placed down her fork and knife with deliberate care. She reached for the letter and saw it was from Josephine, or rather, Lord Emberly.

“Who is it from, Dear?” her mother asked as she dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her napkin.

Melody placed the letter on the table. “It is from Josephine, but I can read it later.”

Her mother waved her hand in front of her. “Why not read it now?” she suggested. “After all, Josephine went through all the trouble of having it sent by a messenger.”

“Very well,” Melody responded. She unfolded the paper and read.

A problem arose. En route to speak to you. —J

Melody stared at the letter, her mind racing with possibilities. What kind of problem could have arisen that would cause Lord Emberly to seek her out? He was the last man she wanted to call upon her.

Her mother’s voice broke through her musings. “What did she say?”

Bringing a smile to her face, Melody replied, “Nothing of note.” She slipped the paper into the folds of her gown. “I shall write to her later.”

Melody was worried that her mother would press her for details, but fortunately, she changed topics with an air of excitement. “I have the most wonderful news,” her mother declared. “I have invited guests to our estate.”

Elodie groaned. “Guests? Whatever for?”

“I thought it would be good practice for the upcoming Season,” her mother responded, unperturbed by Elodie’s lackluster response. “They should be arriving soon.”

“Who did you invite?” Melody inquired, trying to mask her apprehension with polite interest.

Her mother’s hands grew animated as she spoke. “Just a few people,” she said. “Lord and Lady Kinwick, their son, Anthony…”

Elodie picked up her knife and held it up. “I guess I will need this,” she remarked, speaking over their mother.

“Whatever for, Dear?” her mother asked with a furrowed brow.

With a slight shrug, Elodie responded, “So I can protect myself from Anthony’s tomfoolery.”

“By stabbing him?” Melody questioned, her tone incredulous.

“It would be much easier than speaking to him,” Elodie stated.

Her mother did not look pleased by Elodie’s antics. “No one is going to stab anyone,” she insisted. “Anthony, or rather, Lord Belview, is a viscount and is heir to an earldom.”

“Yes, but he is also very cocky, annoyingly so,” Elodie said. “Stabbing him will bring him down a peg or two.”

“Regardless, they will be our guests, alongside Mr. and Mrs. Nelson,” her mother shared. “And lucky for us, their son, Artemis, will be accompanying them.”

Melody saw this for what it was. Her mother was trying to play matchmaker, but she had no intention of falling for Lord Belview or Mr. Artemis Nelson. She was well enough acquainted with them to know they would not suit.

Her mother continued. “The dancing master has arrived and is getting settled. Mr. Durand came highly recommended, so please do not scare him off,” she said, giving Elodie a pointed look.

Elodie, adopting an innocent expression, widened her eyes. “Why are you looking at me?”

“I think that is fairly obvious, especially since your dancing needs work,” her mother responded.

“That doesn’t mean I will scare him off,” Elodie muttered.

Her mother didn’t look convinced. “Just try your best,” she encouraged. “You must remember that you are a reflection of this family.”

White stepped back into the room and met Melody’s gaze. “Lord Emberly has arrived and has requested a moment of your time, my lady.”

Melody stared back at the butler with disbelief. “He is here? Now?”

Her mother interjected, “Were you expecting him?”

“No, of course not,” Melody rushed out, trying to keep her composure. “I am just surprised that Lord Emberly is here—at this early hour. That is all.”

Pushing back her chair with a graceful movement, her mother suggested, “We should go greet him.”

“Yes, we should,” Melody agreed, albeit reluctantly.

Why was she reacting so strongly to seeing Lord Emberly? They would speak briefly, and he would return to his country estate in the next county over, which was good. The more distance between them, the better. But as they neared the drawing room, Melody couldn’t help but wonder what urgent matter had brought him here.

Wesley Ainsworth, Earl of Emberly, stood in the drawing room of Brockhall Manor. He was not one to waste a moment, but he needed to speak to Lady Melody at once.

He had been informed that there had been a leak at headquarters, and Lady Melody’s cover might have been blown. It was not known for certain, but it was a risk he wasn’t willing to take. He needed to ensure that Lady Melody was safe at all costs. She was his responsibility, and he took that rather seriously.

When his older sister, Rosella, had informed him that she had a student at her boarding school who excelled in linguistics, Wesley knew he had to meet this young woman, eventually recruiting Lady Melody to work for the Crown. He had promised her that no one would ever know the truth of what she did. He wasn’t about to go back on his promise now.

Lady Dallington stepped into the room and Lady Melody followed her. His eyes lingered on Lady Melody’s enchanting face. She was extraordinarily beautiful, with blonde hair, blue eyes and an oval face. Yet it wasn’t her striking features that captivated him the most. It was her eyes. They held a keen intellect and wit.

A smile came to Lady Dallington’s face. “Good morning, Lord Emberly,” she greeted. “What a pleasant surprise.” She turned towards her daughter. “Isn’t it, Melody?”

Melody smiled, but she wasn’t exactly welcoming. “It is, Mother,” she agreed, her tone cordial.

Wesley bowed. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me at such an early hour.”

“It is our pleasure,” Lady Dallington responded, gesturing to the tea service on the table. “Would you care for a cup of tea?”

“Tea would be nice,” he lied. He had no desire to have tea but needed to bide his time. His mother would chide him if he were rude to Lady Dallington, but he wondered how to get Melody alone to speak privately with her.

Lady Dallington walked over to one of the settees and sat down. “How is your mother?”

“She is well,” Wesley replied.

“I haven’t seen her since…” Lady Dallington’s voice trailed off.

Wesley knew precisely what Lady Dallington would say, so he nodded. “The funeral,” he said, finishing her sentence. He appreciated what she was attempting to do, but he saw no reason not to speak about his father’s death. He died. That was the truth. Everyone needed to stop tiptoeing around that fact.

Lady Dallington offered him an apologetic look. “I do apologize for bringing it up. That was terribly unfair of me to do so.”

“It is all right,” Wesley assured her.

Melody sat down next to her mother. “How is your sister?”

As he went to sit across from them, he replied, “Rosella is still a teacher at the boarding school despite being an heiress in her own right. She insists that she is doing what she loves.”

Melody reached for the teapot and poured three cups of tea. “Then I am happy for her. It is a rare thing indeed to find your calling in life.”

Wesley should have known that Melody would have approved of what Rosella was doing. But that didn’t mean he had to. His sister should be married by now. Instead, she was adamant to remain a spinster and a spy. He didn’t know which one bothered him more.

As Melody handed him a cup of tea, he said, “I do apologize for missing Winston’s wedding, but I had some urgent business that came up.”

That was the right thing to say because a bright smile came to Melody’s face. “You missed the most wonderful wedding. Winston and Mattie were so happy that it was nearly impossible not to be happy for them.”

“I am glad to hear that,” Wesley said. And he meant it. He was happy for his friend, but he had no desire to fall for the parson’s mousetrap at this time. His life was complicated, and he rather quite liked being alone. It was simple. Predictable.

Lady Dallington sipped her tea before saying, “It is a shame that you are in the next county over, since we hardly see you.”

“I do apologize, but I have been rather busy running my estate,” Wesley responded, which was somewhat true. He was running the estate and working as a spy. He had no time for anything else, much less socializing.

Melody met his gaze and asked, “Would you enjoy a tour of our gardens? They are most exquisite this time of year.”

Yes.

But he didn’t want to appear too eager. “I would enjoy that.” There. That was a safe answer.

Turning towards her mother, Melody asked, “Would it be permissible to show Lord Emberly the gardens?”

Lady Dallington granted her permission with a nod of her head. “Yes, but do not dally for too long. The dancing master will no doubt be waiting to start his lessons.”

“Perhaps Elodie can start the lessons and I will join when I can,” Melody suggested.

“You make a good point, considering she needs the most help,” Lady Dallington said.

Wesley stepped forward and offered his arm. “May I escort you to the gardens, Lady Melody?”

Melody placed her hand on his sleeve and allowed him to lead her through the manor. Once they arrived at the back door, a footman opened it, and they stepped outside.

They started down a path and Melody slipped her hand off his. “What has happened?” she asked directly.

Wesley should have known Melody wouldn’t have been interested in exchanging pleasantries. That was one of the many reasons why he thought so highly of her. He decided to say what needed to be said and be done with it. “There was a leak at headquarters and the spymaster is worried your cover might have been blown.” He wasn’t sure what kind of reaction Melody would have at that news, but he didn’t expect the silence that followed.

“Did you hear me?” he asked.

Melody tipped her head. “I heard you, but there is no reason to be alarmed, considering my cover might have been blown. I tend to deal in facts.”

“All right. Let’s deal in facts, then,” Wesley said. “You had a coded message delivered directly to you, bypassing every precaution we have set in place. That, in and of itself, is suspicious. To me, that is a glaring sign that your cover might have been compromised.”

“That is quite an assumption. Shouldn’t we reserve judgment until I have had the chance to decipher the message? Jumping to conclusions won’t help us.”

Wesley stopped on the path and turned to face her. “Regardless, I am taking this threat most seriously and will stay close to ensure you are safe.”

“For what purpose?” Melody asked. “I am safe here at Brockhall Manor. I assure you that no harm will befall me here since servants surround me.”

He wasn’t sure that Melody understood the gravity of the situation, so he decided to explain it to her. “You are one of the agency’s top code breakers. Your safety is paramount,” he said. “And I assure you that if someone was sent to kill you, I can’t promise that it would be swift and merciful.”

Rather than cower or appear afraid, Melody held his gaze. “I will be just fine. You can return home.”

His brow shot up. “Did you not hear what I said?”

“I heard you, but I respectfully decline your assistance.”

“You decline my assistance?”

Melody bobbed her head. “I can take care of myself.”

Wesley frowned. “Can you, now?”

“Yes,” she replied, tilting her chin. “I am quite proficient at shooting, and I can ward off any threats that come my way. Besides, I carry a pistol in the folds of my gown.”

He didn’t know what was more ludicrous—that Melody had said such an utterly ridiculous remark or that she actually seemed to believe her words.

Taking a step closer to her, Wesley asked, “What do you think would happen if a sharpshooter was in the birch tree behind you?”

Melody glanced behind her, unconcerned. “But there isn’t one, is there?”

“No, but that was one of the first things I noted when we stepped into the gardens,” Wesley said. “You must take proper caution, at least for now. The agency can’t risk losing you, which is why I am here to protect you. And that is the end of the discussion.”

She pressed her lips together. “No,” she stated. “You do not get to come to my home and order me about.”

“Are you always this infuriating?”

A smile played on Melody’s lips. “I am,” she replied unabashedly.

Looking heavenward, Wesley knew that he needed to try a different tactic. Melody was undoubtedly stubborn, but surely she could see reason. This could be a matter of life or death for her.

He brought his gaze down to meet Melody’s and noticed the determination in her eyes. There was no fear or hesitancy. How could she remain so calm, not knowing if her cover was blown? He hadn’t anticipated Melody becoming a simpering miss, but he had expected some apprehension.

Melody took a step back and glanced at the manor. “If that will be all…” she said, her voice trailing off.

“I am not going anywhere, my lady,” he responded firmly.

“Then we are at a standstill, my lord,” she stated dryly. “Because I have no intention of changing my mind.”

Wesley narrowed his eyes at Melody, feeling frustration welling up inside of him. He had never met a more obstinate young woman before. But he couldn’t just back down and return home. No matter what happened, Melody was his responsibility.

As they stood there, Lady Dallington approached them. “Lord Emberly, I just had the most wonderful idea,” she started. “Why don’t you stay for a few days? We are having a few guests over, and you would make a brilliant addition.”

Melody’s eyes darted towards his. “Lord Emberly was just leaving,” she protested.

Wesley considered Melody for a moment. He hated social events, mainly due to scheming matchmaking mothers, but it would give him the perfect opportunity to keep an eye on Lady Melody. And by the look on Melody’s face, she did not want him to stay, which made staying all the more appealing.

He shifted his gaze towards Lady Dallington. “Thank you. That sounds delightful.”

“Wonderful. I will have one of the guest bedrooms made up at once,” Lady Dallington responded.

Wesley resisted the urge to smile when Melody rolled her eyes. He didn’t know why he found her reaction to be so amusing.

Lady Dallington turned towards her daughter, and Melody quickly schooled her features. “Isn’t it wonderful that Lord Emberly will be joining us?”

Melody smiled, but it was hardly convincing. “It is, Mother,” she replied.

“Well, if you will excuse me, I need to speak to the housekeeper,” Lady Dallington said before walking back towards the manor.

“Are you truly trying to make yourself a nuisance?” Melody muttered.

Wesley grinned. “Some women would appreciate my company. I am an earl, after all.”

“I am not one of those women, and your title does not impress me,” Melody said. “Your staying here is a waste of your time and mine.”

He brought a hand up to his chest, feeling an immense desire to tease her. “Every moment I am with you is a moment I cherish.”

Melody arched an eyebrow. “Are you quite done?”

“I am, but only because I need to settle into my bedchamber,” he replied. “It appears that I will be here at Brockhall Manor for a few days. I must admit it will be much better than the coaching inn in the village.”

With a shake of her head, Melody walked away, and he remained rooted in his spot. He understood her reluctance, but he wasn’t about to walk away. Not when so much was at stake. He refused to lose another agent for whom he was responsible.