Chapter 26 #3
The Architect. The Chancellor. The General. The Merchant. The Treasurer. The Oracle. The Herald. The Ghost. The Sentinel. The Magistrate. The Warden. The Orator.
James shifted to study the list. “The Sentinel enforced obedience.”
“And removed threats,” Alex said.
“The Merchant moves goods,” William added, pointing to the list, “while the Treasurer moves money.”
“The Herald carries messages,” Kate added.
Nicholas’s usual levity faded. “And the Architect?”
“The head, I would guess,” Westmarch said. “Or near enough.”
Alex crossed his arms. “Then removing Henry does nothing. They will simply replace him, just like they will every time we expose one.”
“Perhaps,” Westmarch said. “But not easily. Men in those positions hold knowledge, connections, secrets, and loyalties. Remove enough of them quickly enough, and the Circle will be forced to retreat and rebuild rather than striking new blows.”
“Then we shouldn’t try to take down the whole Circle at once,” Nicholas said. “We should concentrate on the men who are the hardest to replace.”
Westmarch nodded. “Precisely. If we identify the eleven remaining men on this list quickly, we may cripple the organization before it can choose its next target.”
Westmarch gathered the edge of the papers into a neat stack. “From this point on, all findings get reported to me. We still do not know who we can trust. That means no anonymous meetings alone. No private investigations. No reckless heroics because one of you decides speed matters more than sense.”
“That felt directed,” Nicholas said.
Kate lifted a brow. “At only one person?”
Westmarch ignored the exchange. “You will each have a method of reaching me and one another. Kate will be our primary codebreaker, but each of you should learn some basics from her in case a message cannot reach her in time.”
“Then Raven is not retiring?” William asked.
Kate’s chin lifted. “Certainly not.”
James’s thumb brushed over her hand. “No. She is not.”
Kate had not expected how much the certainty and pride in his voice would matter.
Westmarch addressed Hugh next. “It is not clear yet whether we can blame the Circle for you being shot at. The timing is suspicious, but we have more than one enemy.”
Kate went still. “Someone shot at you?”
Hugh gave a sheepish shrug. “My accident with Clover. I had hoped to spare you that detail.”
Westmarch did not allow the conversation to linger. “The informant you were supposed to meet that day wrote again. She offered an apology for not keeping the first appointment and insists her information is vital.”
Hugh’s eyebrows shot up. “She?”
“The handwriting was decidedly feminine, and the paper was scented. Does that trouble you?”
“No,” Hugh said slowly. “It’s only unexpected. Send me the particulars when they are arranged.”
Westmarch turned to Nicholas. “You and I will need to speak later.”
Nicholas’s mouth curved. “I look forward to it.”
“The Circle has lost its Sentinel,” Westmarch said. “When they discover it, they may retreat or lash out. Until we know their next move, assume every trail is dangerous. Share nothing with anyone outside this room or Thomas without my approval. Is that understood?”
They answered with sober nods. Even Nicholas’s sigh sounded more resigned than resistant.
Westmarch gathered his papers. “I will send instructions as soon as they are arranged. Until then, try not to do anything rash in my absence.”
“Only if provoked,” Nicholas said.
Westmarch let out a weary sigh. “I do not find that reassuring. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going home to my wife and children, whom I have not seen in two days.” The door closed softly behind him, and Westmarch’s footsteps faded down the hall.
Silence held until Nicholas leaned back against the desk. “You know,” he said, “since we acquitted ourselves quite heroically last night and are apparently committed to bringing down a treasonous organization and saving king and country, I believe we require a name.”
William blinked. “A name?”
“Yes. A proper one. Something memorable.”
“Absolutely not,” Alex said firmly. “We are not calling ourselves The Defenders of the Realm.”
“I didn’t suggest that,” Nicholas said, pretending to be offended.
“Well, you were about to.”
Hugh cleared his throat. “What about The Vigilant Brotherhood? It sounds respectable enough.”
“That sounds like we patrol dark alleyways with lanterns,” said William.
“The Black Knights?” Nicholas suggested.
“This is not a medieval romance,” Alex said.
“The Loyal Watchmen?” Nicholas suggested.
“Kate is standing right there,” said Hugh. “Besides, it sounds like a group of boring parliamentarians.”
Kate smiled as the men argued over one another, the suggestions growing increasingly ridiculous. She doubted they would ever agree on a collective name.
A surprised laugh escaped her when James caught her hand and led her to the tall sunlit windows in the far corner of the study. She still could not believe that she had found a man who not only accepted her, but loved all of her—Kate and Raven.
“So, Lord Brenton, are you ready for whatever comes next?” Kate asked, placing her hand on his cheek.
“As long as we face it together, Lady Brenton.” A thrill ran through her at hearing her new name on his lips. He bent to kiss her but stopped as the debate and laughing from the other side of the room grew louder. “We really need to find them wives,” James murmured, eliciting a laugh from her.
James kept his eyes locked on hers and raised his voice loud enough to be heard across the room. “Would you all do me the courtesy of leaving so I can kiss my wife properly?”
Kate could have sworn there was some grumbling about “married men” before a flurry of footsteps sounded and the door shut firmly behind them.
“Properly?” Kate said with a light laugh. “I thought we were done with that.”
“The word can also mean other things,” James said, winding his arms around her waist and drawing her closer.
“Hmm, like what?” she whispered, running her hands up his arms to his shoulders.
He leaned down, placing a kiss at the base of her neck, and moved slowly upward, leaving a trail of kisses in his wake.
“Tenderly.” His lips moved along her jaw, sending a faint thrill through her.
“Thoroughly.” His whisper brushed the tender spot below her ear.
“Devotedly.” His lips skimmed along her cheek, stopping only a breath away from hers.
“I am afraid I am still confused. You might need to show me.” She closed her eyes, her voice falling to the barest of whispers. “James.”
And so he did.
THE END