Dawn's Early Light Read Online Free PDF

which immediately went up in the air as Wellington toasted those assembled. “God save the Queen,” he proclaimed, “and God bless America.”
    The amber dram disappeared from its glass, and Eliza crossed her arms in front of her as Wellington struggled for air. His free hand caught the bar as the other gripped the shot glass tightly.
How,
she marvelled,
could this man have been such a master of deception during their time with the Phoenix Society and yet here be about as convincing as a street urchin running for a seat in Parliament?
    â€œNot quite the quality you’re used to?” Eliza asked sweetly.
    Wellington coughed in reply. At least he was still breathing—and standing.
    The waif had now gathered up enough courage and was standing before them. She looked between Eliza and Wellington quickly and then leaned forwards. “At midnight, the lion roars.”
    Oh for God’s sake.
Eliza found herself frozen in disgust.
    â€œBut at dawn,” her partner wheezed, his voice creeping back to its normal baritone, “the eagle’s cry will be heard.”
    â€œSubtle,” Eliza stated wryly.
    She thrust out a gloved hand, shaking theirs in an enthusiastic greeting. “Felicity Lovelace. Welcome to the United States of America. Would you care for something to drink?”
    â€œAnother whiskey, Wellington?” Eliza asked with a sly grin.
    â€œI think not,” he answered quickly. “Perhaps something less . . .”
    â€œPotent?”
    â€œVolatile.”
    â€œI’ve read your particulars, Miss Braun,” Felicity returned quickly, and then spoke in what sounded like a baited breath. “A white wine for the gentleman, a beer for the lady, and I’ll have another . . .” She paused. “Well, I’ll have another.”
    â€œRight then,” the barkeep said, looking at the three of them. “Wine, beer.” And his eyes twinkled a bit as he said, “And a Coca-Cola.”
    Eliza and Wellington looked at Felicity askance. “It helps calm my nerves,” she said with a shrug, her speech getting a little faster the more she spoke.
    Calm her nerves?
Then it dawned on her when the beer reached her hands.
Ye gods, you must be joking.
“This is your first assignment, isn’t it?”
    â€œNo, actually, this is my tenth,” the American returned, but the tremble in her posture hardly reassured Eliza. When the woman’s bubbling tonic arrived, she took a long sip from it before adding, “I’m not necessarily
in the field
is all. I’m usually working on logistics, but this time the director agreed to let me accompany my partner.”
    â€œI see.” Eliza smiled, nodding slowly. “Doctor Sound did say we were working with our counterparts. You’re the archivist then?”
    â€œLibrarian,” Felicity corrected.
    â€œThere’s a difference,” Wellington contributed, “if you’d care—”
    Eliza’s eyebrows raised slightly, and he stopped mid-sentence. He was learning. “So,” the New Zealander continued sweetly, “why exactly have you reached out to the British Empire for help, Miss Lovelace?”
    â€œPlease, call me Felicity—everyone does.”
    Eliza raised her beer at her. “Eliza.” She motioned to Wellington. “Welly.”
    â€œWellington,” he muttered, taking a sip of his wine. “This joint operation is hardly a new venture. If memory serves, your agents have worked alongside ours before, yes?”
    â€œBefore my time, and in light of that mission, there was some opposition in reaching out to you for help.”
    Eliza crooked an eyebrow. “Some?”
    â€œAll right,” Felicity said, her fingers tapping rapidly against her glass, “there was a good amount of opposition, but I knew you had something we lack.” She looked at them for a moment, and then said bluntly,