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

discreetly finding out as much information as possible from the wives. I’ll have to arrange for the reading of the banns, however, you can cry off and end the ‘engagement’ when the investigation is over. It will cause a bit of a scandal, but it will pale in comparison to the arrest of Viscount Delmont. The gossips will be consumed with the daily excitement and drama of a trial of a peer.”
    “What about Lord Kirkland’s…behavior?” she asked.
    Robert chuckled and leveled his blue gaze on her. She returned the look without flinching.
    “You need not worry about Lord Kirkland acting inappropriately,” Wendover said. “He may have recently inherited an earldom, but he has been working for the Home Office for years. He is a consummate professional.”
    “He’s a spy!”
    He did not strike her as a spy who could infiltrate the Inventors’ Society. Most of her father’s friends and fellow members had been old, stern-faced men with complexions pasty from being cloistered in their laboratories.
    “And what of my reputation?” she argued.
    “I’ve thought of that. Your elder cousin, Lady Stanwell, is attending. She can act as your chaperone,” Wendover said.
    “Jane?” Sophia burst out, shocked. “But she’s recently widowed.”
    “It’s been over a year, my dear. She’s a proper chaperone for you during the betrothal.”
    “Yes, but she’s still grieving from…from her loss.”
    Of her husband’s suicide. The thought died on Sophia’s lips. At twenty-six years old, Jane was only two years Sophia’s senior. They were friends, and Sophia knew her cousin suffered from her spouse’s shocking betrayal.
    “Lady Stanwell’s husband was a member of the Inventors’ Society, and Viscountess Delmont has invited her,” Wendover said.
    “Jane will not believe in a sham engagement,” she retorted.
    “Then you’ll have to convince her, my dear.”
    How would she accomplish such a feat? Jane knew Sophia was hell-bent on pursuing justice for her father. Could she convince her cousin that she had somehow fallen madly in love with a man over the course of a month?
    If she wanted to help find her father’s killer, she’d have to. She glanced at the elusive Lord Kirkland leaning in the corner. He didn’t look pleased by the notion and a sliver of feminine vanity took offense at his outward show of hostility. It nearly radiated from his pores.
    Wendover had said she’d be safe with him.
    Safe was the last word she’d use to describe him. She would have to be blind not to acknowledge he was a handsome man—the type of man women would do reckless things for. But his appearance wasn’t what unsettled her. Rather it was the look in his glacial eyes, the tilt of his chin, and the confident, almost arrogant set of his shoulders.
    Ruthless.
    Wendover stood and went to the door. “I’ll leave you two alone to discuss the arrangement.”

Chapter Five
    Robert pushed away from the wall and walked toward Sophia with loose-limbed grace. Stopping within a foot of where she perched on the edge of the settee, he glared down at her.
    “I never work with a partner,” he said.
    She stood and raised her chin a notch. “Then who was the footman bearing Delmont’s crest?”
    “Ian was a necessity tonight, not a partner.”
    “That’s illogical.”
    “Nothing about this situation is logical.”
    She took a deep breath. “It seems we don’t have a choice in the matter. The marquess said we are to—”
    “You’re impulsive and reckless,” he said coolly. “A danger to yourself and others.”
    Her temper flared. “And you’re not? Breaking into Viscount Delmont’s safe during a masquerade?”
    “I’m highly trained, not a nanny.”
    She eyed him warily. “What exactly do you do for Lord Wendover?”
    Robert shrugged. “This and that.”
    “What on earth does that mean?”
    “I’m skilled with safes.”
    “A safecracker?”
    “Among other things.”
    “But you are an earl. However did you learn to