Chapter 10
The last time she’d held hands with Bryce was many summers ago as they ran through the woods, free from worry. Did he remember?
Helen glanced at her husband whose face bore the fine lines of age that made him all the more handsome and her heart pound harder. Her gaze involuntarily lowered and settled upon the man’s lips. Memories of her first and only kiss came flooding back. She pressed her lips together tight, mimicking the pressure of his mouth on hers all those years ago. Why were her memories taunting her amidst a mission? She needed to focus, not reminisce over a time that her husband had probably long forgotten, replaced by more recent encounters with ladies with far more experienced than she. The metal key pressed against her palm as she balled her hand into a tight fist. Thank goodness that there were two chambers available and not just one for the evening. Her forehead bumped into Bryce’s back and he frowned down at her as she looked up and muttered a quick apology. “Sorry.”
They stood in front of a chamber door with a brass number three hung in the middle. “I might not be Kilman’s closest friend, but we are acquainted with one another.”
“Then I shall leave the questioning to you this time.” Feeling brave, she mimicked his most arrogant facial expression and arched her eyebrow.
Rather than being flustered like she was when he gave her “the look,” Bryce chuckled and replied, “That might be wise.”
The rumble of laughter in his tone had her flummoxed as to what the man found so amusing. He rapped his knuckles on the wood and the door latch rattled.
“Wh-Whistlestop?” Lord Kilman greeted as he swung the door wide open. When he spied her next to Bryce, he nodded and smiled at her as if they were meeting at a ball and not in the middle of the hallway of a countryside coaching inn. “Lady Helen.”
Lord Kilman was stripped down to his lawn shirt that was untied and hung loose at the neck, exposing a rather large expanse of the man’s sculpted chest. She lowered her gaze as heat flooded her cheeks. “A good evening to you, my lord.”
Her husband tugged her behind him and tensed. “Good lord, man, get some clothes on.”
“Ms. Baker, it appears I have company. The bath will have to wait.”
The scuffle of boots was followed by the patter of the innkeeper’s feet. “Yes, my lord.” The woman’s displeasure quickly disappeared as she took the crown Bryce held out for her between his fingers. “Thank ye. Just ring if ye need anything.”
Bryce’s grip on her hand tightened. She’d forgotten he still had hold of her.
“Would you like to come in or shall we reconvene in the parlor downstairs?” Lord Kilman asked.
Her husband strode forward and she had to practically leap to keep up with him since he hadn’t released her, and gauging by his ironclad hold he had no intention of letting her go. She shifted to stand slightly behind Bryce, attempting to make herself invisible, but he tugged her hand forward and then released it only to loop her arm through his. He covered her hand with his as if securing her in place. In all the years she’d known Bryce, he’d never once acted possessive of anyone and especially not of her. While she found his behavior peculiar, the small gesture had her once again experiencing the feeling of being wanted and protected, which was admittedly rather nice and comforting, and long missed.
Lord Kilman donned his jacket and as he slipped the buttons into place said, “I assume by the way you are fawning over Lady Helen, congratulations are in order.”
“Drop the act, Kilman, you’ve never been one to stand on ceremony. Why are you here?”
Had her husband forgotten all his training?
He wasn’t supposed to offend the man, he was supposed to befriend the prospective informant and then once he’s gained their trust, then demand answers.
Leaned up against the bedpost, Kilman crossed his legs at the ankles and answered, “I’m traveling on official business.”
The man’s relaxed, unintimidated stance meant he wasn’t threatened by Bryce or his tone. However, Helen knew from experience her husband was not one to be underestimated.
“I seriously doubt that to be the case,” Bryce countered.
“It’s true. Archbroke has tasked me with tracking down a wayward lady who has been reported as missing by her family.”
Helen was in agreement with Bryce. Lord Archbroke was not only the Head of the Home Office, but also a PORF would never have deployed an agent to a mission that he knew was already assigned to the Network. Plus, Lord Kilman mentioned only one lady, not three. Lips firmly pressed together, Helen waited for her husband to point out that the gentleman had been caught in a lie.
Bryce finally asked, “And what is the name of this lady?”
As if contemplating how to answer, Lord Kilman stroked his jaw, half covering his mouth and the broad grin that the man was clearly trying to hide. Lord Kilman mumbled, “Her name is Lady….” Lord Kilman’s voice cracked and then the man made a show of clearing his throat.
“You’ve always been a terrible liar, Kilman. I sincerely don’t understand how you have managed all these years in the agency and why Archbroke continues to put up with you.” Bryce shook his head left and right before adding, “Explain how it is you were able to track Lady Phoebe down to this location.”
“Damn. Damn. Damn.” Lord Kilman straightened and then moved to sit upon the edge of the bed. “Lady Phoebe sent me a missive, direct.”
“She knows of your affiliation with the Home Office?”
“Yes.”
“You fool!” Her husband wasn’t following any of the standard protocols.
Lord Kilman jumped back up to his feet and began to pace in a circle. “What does it matter? I’m going to marry Lady Phoebe—well, sooner or later I hope to—and she would have eventually discovered the truth.”
Helen’s mind was abuzz with questions. Male logic was beyond her. She tilted her chin up to look up at her husband, who was pinching the bridge of his nose. Apparently she wasn’t the only one baffled by Lord Kilman’s reasoning.
Bryce glanced down at her and whispered, “Are you ready?”
“Ready for?”
With serious eyes, he answered in a muted voice for her ears only. “For me to say the three words you have waited half a lifetime to hear.”
Was he going to confess his love for her…now?
Mind blank, Helen nodded.
Looking directly into her eyes, he said softly, “You were correct. The ladies are not on the run but are in fact attempting to correct matters.”
She blinked and gave her head a slight shake. Had Bryce somehow figured out her code? For years, she had secretly confessed her love for Bryce by substituting “You are correct” for “I love you,” as she was unable to find the courage to tell him the truth of her feelings for him. The two phrases were synonymous in her head.
Bryce grinned from ear-to-ear like a fool. There was no way her husband somehow discovered her secret. She gave her head another slight shake and said, “You’re admitting I was right.”
He frowned and then said, “Yes, amongst other things.”
Lord Kilman stopped his pacing and placed his hands on his hips. “Have either of you heard a word I’ve said?”
Helen shook her head in shame at having once again fallen under Bryce’s spell. Just like when they were children, the rest of the world would melt away when he gave her his full attention. Bryce shifted his attention back to Lord Kilman and answered, “There is nothing for you to worry about. I have a plan.”
“Well…are you going to share your grand scheme with us?” Lord Kilman asked.
Lord Kilman wasn’t the only one lost. She too was curious as to what her husband had in store for them all.
“You’ll find out tomorrow.” Bryce patted her hand and then turned them both to face the door. “A good eve to you, Kilman.”
Still tucked close to her husband’s side, Helen managed a brief smile and a nod in Lord Kilman’s direction before Bryce led her out of the room.
She should wait until they reached their chambers, but eager to know his thoughts on how to best help out the three ladies, Helen asked, “What is your plan?”
Bryce stopped on the riser above her. “We should discuss that in private. Which would you prefer, my chamber or yours?”
Helen quickly weighed the advantages and disadvantages of each. It mattered not, they’d be all alone either way. When Bryce opened his mouth to say something, she blurted, “Yours. Let’s discuss next steps in your chamber.”
Wordlessly he marched up the stairs and she followed. As soon as both of her feet were planted on the landing he bent at the waist, slipped an arm beneath her knees, picked her up, and carried her to his chamber door. With his hands full, she reached down for the latch and pushed the door open. When he didn’t set her down after crossing the threshold, she turned to face him.
He looked her straight in the eyes and asked, “Did you really think I’d not consult you first before devising a plan?” Bryce let her legs fall to the ground but he placed his hands firmly on her shoulders so she couldn’t turn away. “We both know who is the better strategist between you and me. And now that we are married, you are stuck with me. I’m not too proud of a gentleman to recognize your strengths and defer to you. We are a team, and just like today, we will succeed if we work together.”
It wasn’t a poem recited on one knee. It wasn’t a love letter. But she sensed Bryce’s words were filled with love. She couldn’t help but fall a little more in love with the man, even though she hadn’t thought it possible to love the man more than she already did. All thoughts of leaving this man fled her heart and mind. Bryce’s actions proved he loved her. She reflected upon the fact he kept on looking for her, even when she kept running. If Bryce never said the conventional three words of affection, she dared to double down on her duke, betting that his actions would prove more convincing than hearing than words I love you.
She wrapped her arms about his waist and closed the space between them. “You are correct. We should do everything together going forward.” To seal her promise, Helen rolled up onto her tiptoes and placed her lips against his. It was their first kiss as a married couple, but the flare of desire in Bryce’s gaze confirmed that it definitely wouldn’t be their last.