A Cantata of Love (The Code Breakers 4) Read Online Free PDF

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    “I need to go to Gabby. Brompton put her in the drawing room, and she is going to wonder where I am.”
    “You’re worried about her?” His sister looked up at him.
    “We’ve been travelling all day. I planned that she would stay with you at Kendal House, but you weren’t at home. Neither was Uncle Charles or Edward or the Bromptons.” He tried to not sound petulant but could hear it in his own voice. He was dog-tired and was having difficulty with all the unexpected changes. “Where was I to go? A lady in a single man’s residence? I needed to protect her reputation.”
    Rathbourne rolled his eyes upward. “How circumspect of you.”
    “But, Michael, why didn’t you return the lady to her family?” Hen’s eyes were bright with curiosity.
    “She fled France to be reunited with her brother, but she doesn’t know where he resides. I thought it best that she rest after our grueling trip. We’ve been dodging both Napoleon and Fouché’s men. All of this on top of Gabby’s long hours caring for me when I was ill. I need to get back to her.”
    “What is this lady’s name?” Rathbourne demanded. “And where did you meet this woman?”
    “We can discuss this later. I need to check on Gabby.”
    Rathbourne grabbed Michael’s arm. “You brought an unknown French woman into my home, possibly endangering your sister and your uncle’s work.”
    “Our home, Cord,” Hen said.
    Michael wanted to blister Rathbourne until he got a glimpse of Hen’s drawn face. “Gabby is a young woman escaping Napoleon and his intention to marry her off to his brother. She is not a threat to anyone.”
    “I’ll be the judge of the threat. What is her name? And how did you meet her?”
    Hen protested. “Michael is a good judge of character. He wouldn’t risk our safety by bringing a French spy into our home.”
    Michael cleared his throat. “Mademoiselle Gabrielle De Valmont. Her brother is the Marquis De Valmont.”
    Hen swayed back into Rathbourne’s arms, her face devoid of all color. “My heavens.”
    Michael reached for his sister, but Rathbourne had already wrapped his arms around her and was leading her to a wingback chair in front of the fireplace. “Sit down. I’ll ring for Mrs. Brompton.” He knelt in front of her and caressed her hands.
    Hen went willingly to the chair. This passivity wasn’t like his hearty sister. Hen had never swooned or fainted in her life. He bent over his sister. “What is it, Hen?”
    Hen shook her head. “Oh, Michael, her brother, he was a French spy. He was killed in front of my eyes. It was horrible.”
    Rathbourne’s jaw jutted forward and the tick was clearly prominent. “You’ve only been back in England a few hours and you’re already creating chaos. And stressing your sister.”
    “That isn’t fair, Cord. Michael didn’t know. How could he?”
    “Oh, Hen. Gabby is going to be devastated. Her parents were killed in the Revolution. All she had was her brother. I must go to her, but how will I tell her? She has been anticipating her reunion with him.”
    “Henrietta is not going to meet this woman.” Rathbourne glared at Michael.
    Michael glared back. “I don’t believe for a minute Gabby is a threat. When you meet her, Hen, you’ll see she is a warm and caring young woman.”
    Rathbourne rose slowly from his knees, his body and voice rigid. “I will interview her and decide what is to be done.”
    Michael’s muscles locked into defiance. “You will not do any such thing. She is my responsibility, and I will not have her treated discourteously.”
    “My God, save me from such absurdity. Your Gabby’s brother was a French spy, and I will not allow your sister or your uncle to be in the vicinity of this woman until I’ve decided.”
    Hen rose, her color restored to two bright red spots on her cheeks. “Have you two finished? This is my home, and I will have a say in whom I shall meet.”
    “Henrietta, please be sensible.” Rathbourne took Hen’s