A Spy Unmasked (Entangled Scandalous) Read Online Free PDF Page A

appeared to be the capital letter I.
    “What mechanical device is it from?”
    Wendover shook his head. “None that I’m aware. It was found as a watch fob on two of the bodies.”
    “Engineers use gears, but this one is very small. The I could stand for inventor. Could it be a commemorative token upon admission into the Society?”
    Wendover shook his head. “I’ve spoken with a dozen members. None have received commemorative objects upon entry into the group.”
    “Where do you want me to start?” Robert asked.
    “Delmont’s hosting a house party at his country residence in Hatfield in two weeks. Numerous inventors are invited with their wives. Your petition for membership was a strategic decision to gain access to the group and assure you an invitation. I had planned on your attending along with Lady Marilyn. She was to distract the gentlemen and keep watch while you searched the place and discovered the truth behind the murders.”
    Robert was familiar with Lady Marilyn. The widow of a late baron, she occasionally aided Wendover with his investigations.
    “I work alone, my lord.”
    “I’m afraid you must have a female partner for this affair. Delmont’s wife is inviting only married or engaged couples. She plans on entertaining the women while Delmont meets with the men. I leaked word that as the new Earl of Kirkland you are soon to be betrothed.”
    “I see.”
    “But to my dismay, Lady Marilyn’s mother is gravely ill and she refuses to leave her side.”
    “Then I’ll go alone. Her absence will not hinder me from determining the contents of Delmont’s numerous safes.”
    “Yes, but—”
    Thwack.
    A loud thump from the adjoining sitting room drew their attention. Wendover stood. “What the devil was that?”
    “If I had to guess, I’d say our guest is destroying your artifacts,” Robert said.
    “It’s time to deal with Lady Sophia.” Wendover retrieved his jacket from behind his desk chair and went to the door.
    Robert moved to the hidden panel, slid it open, and glimpsed movement in the adjoining room. Lady Sophia clutched a small brass sphinx and paced the red carpet. Stopping by the door, she slammed the sphinx against the handle. When it refused to turn, she stomped her foot.
    She has guts! It was admirable, if not wholeheartedly impetuous.
    When he first saw her, he had suspected she was one of Delmont’s spies, a consummate actress portraying an innocent miss. He’d been wrong; he could see it now. She was a lady driven to an incredibly reckless act. She could have been killed tonight, or worse, captured by Delmont’s private guards.
    The thought of what Delmont would have done to her beauty and spirit left a strange sinking in Robert’s gut.
    Sophia turned and looked toward the wall, directly where the panel lay hidden. Her green eyes widened as if she knew someone was watching her.
    Green eyes just like Gwendolyn’s.
    Robert frowned at the thought. Countless women had green eyes, yet he’d never before compared another woman with Gwendolyn. As for what Gwendolyn and Sophia had in common: absolutely nothing. Gwendolyn was pure and innocent, without guile or daring. Completely unlike the impulsive, reckless woman before him.
    So why was he thinking about his dead wife?
    Robert shut the panel and stepped back.
    …
    Sophia jumped as the sitting room door swung open. Two men entered. Her gaze flew from the tall, tawny-haired man to the second shorter figure, and she gasped.
    “My lord!” She ran to the marquess’s side and grasped his hand. “Thank God you’re here! This man”—her gaze moved to Robert—“this man abducted me and locked me in this room.”
    Wendover plucked the brass sphinx from her grasp and led her to a leather chair before the stone fireplace. “Sit, Sophia,” he said, returning the artifact to its shelf and taking a seat across from her. “Lord Kirkland works for me, and he has advised me of tonight’s events.”
    She took a quick breath of utter