Rescued By the Spy
Rescued By the Spy
Laura A. Barnes
Copyright © 2018 by Laura A. Barnes
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.
First Printing: 2018
ISBN 978-1-387-69435-8
Laura A. Barnes
http://www.lauraabarnes.com
Cover Art by Cheeky Covers
Blurb by Emily Waskel
To: William
I know you said we never have to say the words Thank You. But I am saying them anyway. Thank you for believing in me and pushing me to succeed. Also thank you for the countless hours I have been wrapped up in this book.
.
Prologue
Six months earlier
“YOU WILL BE SAFE here. I will come back later with help.”
“He needs help now. This cave is not a safe place for us to hide. Shears will discover us here.”
“I will handle Shears. You look after Charles and this will soon be over.”
“Over for whom. You? Me? This is far from over and you know it. We need to get him medical treatment now. I have done everything I can for him.”
“Only a few hours more, do you think I care to see him suffer? It is for his safety and yours that I keep you hidden.”
“If you do not return by midnight, I will seek help on my own.”
“Agreed, now do you have the jewels in safe keeping?”
“They are concealed where no one will find them.”
“Keep those and him protected. I will return for you both soon.”
“See that you do, or I will make it known to everybody where your loyalties lie, then you will be the one that will have to stay hidden.”
“Do not threaten me,” he snarled.
“It is not a threat but a promise.”
With that he left the cave, Raina watched as he vanished along the beach. His dark black clothes blending into the night. The arrogance of that man exhausted her. He was too sure of himself and the games he played. But she knew he played the most dangerous of all games. A game that held too many lives in his hands. Raina only prayed that tonight the deception would end. She was tired of living on the edge.
Hearing the moan coming from the back of the cave, she hurried over to the sound. She gazed at the man that lay in agony and fever on the blanket that covered the ground. She swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked the tears away that hovered in her eyes. It tore her up to see him in pain. She had tried to nurse him back to health, but his wounds were too severe. There was nothing she could do. He needed a doctor.
Lowering herself next to him, she brushed the hair away from his eyes and whispered soothing words. When he opened his eyes at the sound of her voice, she waited as he attempted to focus on her.
She stared as he drew the necklace off from around his neck. It was a dark ruby nestled in diamonds. He pressed it into her hands.
“Wear this,” his voice scratched out.
Raina tried giving it back, “No, I couldn’t.”
“Yes, you must. Go to the ball and find my sister Ivy.”
Raina dropped the necklace and backed away from him. What he wanted from her was impossible. He was not aware of her past with Thornhill. Even though she cared for him and wanted to help him, she could not risk getting caught.
He struggled to rise off the blanket, Raina knelt and helped him to a sitting position, resting him on the wall of the cave. Until Charles had his say, he would not rest.
“Go to the ball and find Ivy. If you wear that necklace she will realize you have information about me. She will help you. It is our only hope. You can trust her.”
“But Maxwell will be returning.”
“You and I both know Maxwell has his own agenda. I have no knowledge of what my friend has involved himself in, but he will only look out for himself at this point.”
Raina was aware of what Maxwell was involved in, for she was involved with him. She knew he spoke the truth though. Maxwell wouldn’t be returning tonight or any other night. It was up to her to get him the help he needed.
“I will go to the ball and return with Ivy.”
He smiled at her as his eyes drifted shut and whispered, “Thank you.”
Raina watched as he went back to sleep. She lowered his body back on the floor of the cave, covering with the blanket. Peeling the necklace from his fingers she slipped the ruby off the chain. As she dug into her bag, she found a black ribbon and slipped the ruby through the necklace. Tying the ribbon around her neck she made a choker of the jewel. It was not the only thing she drew out of the bag, she also took out a long red ball gown. She did not fathom why she still carried the dress. Hope she guessed. Hope for one day to wear to a ball and dance with her prince charming. However, those days were never meant to be.
As she changed into the dress, she laughed to herself at the irony of the situation. She had found her prince charming, but he would not be at the ball with her. Nevertheless, she would attend the ball for him.
Leaning down she brushed a kiss across his lips, “Goodbye, my sweet Charles.”
Gathering up her bag, she left the cave in search of help. She wouldn’t be returning to him. He was never destined to be hers. Still there was that small part of her that would disagree.
As he awoke at the touch of her lips on his, he heard her whisper goodbye. He watched the ravishing creature she turned herself into, disappear from the cave. She was a dream in the red silk. A dream that had kept him alive these last couple of months. A dream that as soon as he was well; would make a reality. He closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep. His last thought was of her, her and him sharing more than a mere kiss.
Chapter One
IN THE BACK CORNER of the tavern, he sat there and studied as his fellow man made fools of themselves in their drunken debauchery. He never quite understood how as an ordinary person you wanted to lower yourself to this behavior. As he waited patiently for news of any kind, he observed as the men drank themselves into imbeciles.
Lifting the mug to his mouth he took a long swallow of the disgusting ale. It tasted like soap water. Drinking it quickly, he swiped his lips on the sleeve of his coat. He wanted to spit the brew onto the floor, but he resisted as the barkeep scrutinized him with suspicion. Banging the mug on the table he nodded at him for a refill.
The barkeep kept an eye on him as he spoke to a man at the bar. They exchanged words as the stranger glanced over his shoulder, looking him over. After they spoke a few more words, the man made his way out the tavern door. The barkeep shouted for the serving girl to bring him his refill.
Charles propped back in his chair, rocking it on its back two legs. When the tavern girl approached him, he landed the stool on all fours. She leaned over placing his ale before him, lowering her bosom in his face. When she rose, he was able to catch an eyeful of her breasts filling out of her tight dress. Her corset pushed her breasts up tight and high while her dress laid low right above her nipples. One quick tug and they would fall out into his hands; if he so desired.
She tipped his hat back, so she could look into his eyes and smile. “Is there anything else I can get for you sir?”
Charles pulled her hand away from his face tightening his grip. When she gasped in pain, he realized he needed to play his part better. To distract her, he drew her in his lap, nuzzling her neck. When she purred and went soft against him, he sensed she had forgotten the pain he inflected on her a few seconds ago. To continue his seduction, he traced his fingers across the neckline of her dress, his finger dipping inside to trace along her nipples.
“Bessie.”
“There is a lot you can do for me Bessie, maybe later after your shift is done?” He raised his eyebrow in question.
“I get off in a few hours, I have a room above we can use.” She told him as her hand wandered down to his lap.
“Well Bessie that does sound promising. In the meantime, do you think you can help me with some information?”
He continued to caress her as he saw her look back and forth between the barkeep and him. As a stranger in town; he was under suspicion. If questions were asked to too many people, it could draw unwanted attention upon himself. He nodded his head to the barkeep and smiled as if he enjoyed what was being offered in his tavern. That appeared to pacify the man he was a stranger passing through the village wanting a night’s enjoyment before he left.
“Bessie?”
When she noticed she was not being watched any more, she shook her head yes.
“Now Bessie, I do not want to get you in any trouble with your boss. So, when I ask you a question, just play along with me, okay, honey?”
Bessie looked back to the bar again and realized that Ray was no longer in sight. She couldn’t afford to lose her job at the tavern, but she was so lonely for a man. It had been ages since a fine-looking bloke like this one, has paid any attention to her. The sea captain who was in last week scared her and she escaped his clutches by faking an illness, but next time she would not be so lucky. He was due back in port any day now and Ray had promised her to the captain.
“Have you seen any other strangers in town, besides myself?” he whispered in her ear.
She would not admit to him about the sea captain. Her life depended on it. The owner of the bar was involved in illegal activities with him and she had overheard their plans. She shook her head no while looking over her shoulder again.
Charles felt her grow tense in his embrace. Her body shook from the fear of something or someone and he had a sense on who that was. He pulled her back into his arms more and nuzzled at her neck, feeling her relax again.
“I can protect you Bessie, you need not tell me a single word. If the question I ask you is correct, stroke your hand along my arm. Do you agree?”
Bessie raised her head to stare into the stranger’s eyes, he did not seem as dangerous as the other men coming into the tavern. More of a charmer than anything. She decided to trust him, he might be able to help her escape before it was too late. Slowly she lifted her hand and let it glide down his arm.
Smiling at her he lowered his head again, pretending to kiss her. “Has there been any unusual activity in town within the last few weeks?”
Her hand caressed his bicep, shaping it to her palm.
“Have there been other strangers in the village?" he questioned her again.
Moving down his arm she wrapped her fingers around his wrist.
“Anyone by the name of Shears?”
Her fingers tightened on his wrist as her body grew tense in his arms again. She raised frightened eyes to his as she slid off his lap.
“I need to get back to work sir,” she explained as she let go of his arm.
His arm snaked out quick, grabbing her by her wrist.
“A few hours you say?”
She nodded her head at him as she picked up his empty glass. He dropped her wrist and swatted her on her backside playfully.
“Well Miss Bessie, I will wait here for you; then we can use that room of yours for more fun later,” he winked at her.
Bessie smiled at him, forgetting he frightened her with his questions. His smile held many promises she wanted to enjoy. She wandered back to the bar with the empty glass, smiling over her shoulder at him.
Charles raised his glass at her when she looked back at him. He continued to smile, looking her body up and down in appreciation. When he noticed her blush, he knew he had her convinced that he only wanted a good time. He would wait around here until he could go to her room, then he would get the answers he desired. She knew a lot more than she was letting on, but something had frightened her. Not something but someone. He was close. If he was near, then so was she.
…..
She watched him from the stairs. Her heart had not stopped beating fast since she seen him walk into the tavern. He was in danger and she had no way to warn him. If she did it would blow the cover she had worked so hard on, she was not going to lose what ground she had gained; just because her heart wanted to betray her. Why was he here? Didn’t he know Shears wanted him dead? Why was he so bent on trailing him? Was he looking for her too? That was only wishful thinking on her part, the kind of thinking that could only get her into trouble. He would want nothing to do with her, not after he knew her whole part in kidnapping him. Which he probably knows by now. After all she was captured by his soon to be brother-in-law.
Thornhill would have told him how she was behind the plot to kidnap him and how closely involved she was with Shears to bring the terror to England. It did not matter that she had instead nursed him back to health and tried to thwart Shears’s terror plans.
He looked healthy as if he had made a complete recovery. The bruises had disappeared from his face. He was even more handsome than she could imagine.
As he leaned back in his chair, she watched as he smiled at Bessie. Her breath caught as she saw the charm that overflowed from his smile. When his smile reached his eyes, they lighted up in enjoyment. She never got to enjoy his smile, he was always in too much pain. Even when his pain receded, they were always in too grave of danger to have a reason to smile.
Another emotion began to take place as she saw him flirt with Bessie. When he pulled Bessie onto his lap, nuzzling at her neck; she felt angry. Not just angry but betrayed. How could he pull another woman into his embrace and share intimacy with her? Did the words and kisses they share not mean anything to him? Obviously not.
She watched as Bessie stroked his arm and listened as he told Bessie he would join her in her room later. Well we will see about that, won’t we, Mr. Charmer? She planned to wait for him there.
Chapter Two
CHARLES SAT THERE NURSING another ale as he checked out the comings and goings of the tavern. A lot of men spoke with the barkeep, then headed to the rear of the tavern where they disappeared for a few hours then leave through the front again. Every man took notice of him. He recognized none of the blokes as ever working alongside Shears. But Thornhill had most of Shears’s gang thrown in Newgate. The Captain had to round up a new crew, but there were a few of Shears’s men left who would recognize him.
He tried to blend in with the other inhabitants of the bar, by drinking and playing cards. As he pulled out his pocket watch he realized that the hour drew towards ten o’clock. He had himself a date for information. Bessie seemed frightened, but he knew that she had the evidence he sought. Charles needed to draw that information out without sleeping with her. He knows that is what she seeks, and it might be the only way she would give him what he searches for.
Looking towards the bar for any sign of Bessie to join her in her room, he only saw another tavern wench that looked to give birth at any moment. He grimaced to himself as he saw her lift a tray of drinks to distribute. She was small in nature except for the burden she carried. Her hair was pulled back and wrapped up in rags. When she glanced up, he noticed her face covered in red blotches and had a mole that stood out on her cheek. She met his eyes and glared at him, then swiftly looked away.
Charles shook his head in confusion at that glare. What did he do to cause that? He sure hoped that Bessie had information he could use to find Shears because he did not want to charm the likes of that wench. Even though it looks like she had already been charmed. By lord knows who, he did not envy that guy. Poor bastard.
He watched as she worked the tavern floor handing out the drinks. For somebody so frightfully ugly, she moved with much grace. As she made her way over to him he observed her movements, he did not order a drink, so he did not unders
tand why she came his way. She laid a glass of whiskey in front of him.
“For you sir.”
“I did not order this. You must have delivered it to the wrong table.”
“No, I’m not mistaken. It is a gift from Bessie. She said to tell you that she is running late. You are to meet her in her room at eleven o’clock, she will be waiting for you there. Her room is the third door on the left.”
“Well tell Bessie I said thank you and I cannot wait to enjoy our evening together.”
The tavern wench let out a, “Humph,” as she walked away.
Charles Mallory starred as she sauntered away, her hips swaying with her light walk. She seemed quite a package if you took away her hideous face. He brought the glass up to his mouth to sip the whiskey as he continued to watch her work. There was something familiar about her. He was unable to place her, and he did not recognize her voice. Her voice was rougher than most of the men that he played cards with this evening. Yet something about her did not make sense.
“Didn’t realize that kind of wench drew your attention?”
Embarrassed to be caught looking at the wench, he drank the whiskey down quickly, turning in his chair at the newcomer.
“What have you found out?” Charles asked, changing the subject.
“He is due back in town later tonight. He has been moving his shipments through this tavern. Sammy is keeping an eye out back. They are on to you, I overheard they are not sure who you are, but once the Captain gets here, they mean to find out,” Jake answered.
Charles did not want to bring Jake and Sammy into this mess, but his brother-in-law Marcus Thornhill insisted. He agreed for his sister Ivy’s sake. She had already embroiled herself in this mess once, he did not want her meddling any more. So, to pacify them he brought along Thorn’s men to help him in his search for Shears. They didn’t know about his search for the girl. She was another story. If they could find Shears, she was not too far behind.