Jenna Petersen - [Lady Spies] Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t seem surprised. And he didn’t snub the man.”
    Meredith’s heart sank, but she straightened her shoulders nonetheless.
    “Then there is no avoiding the truth I have been loath to believe,” she said. “I must move forward with the investigation in earnest. Tristan may truly be involved in plots that endanger our fellow countrymen. If that is so, he and his friends must be stopped before they can transfer whatever information may have been hidden in the painting.”
    She rubbed her eyes. How had things come to this? If he was guilty, what had turned Tristan from an honorable man who once defended her life to a traitor?
    Emily patted her arm in reassurance. “I am sorry, Merry. I know you didn’t want that to be true of a friend.”
    With a shrug of one shoulder, she answered, “If he has done what he is accused of, he is no friend.”
    Emily nodded, but she didn’t seem sure of Meredith’s resolve. “I overheard some talk. Apparently the Carmichael family departs London early next week. Tristan and his mother are bound for their country estate, where they host an annual party. The gathering will last a fortnight. Afterward, they often retire to Bath or other outside destinations. I don’t know when he’ll return to London.”
    Meredith’s lips thinned. “I must ensure that I follow them to Carmichael. If the painting isn’t in town, it is likely there. The country may even be where the transfer will take place.”
    Emily nodded. “I agree. Did Lord Carmichael mention the party to you?”
    She shook her head. “No, and I don’t think I could approach him again without rousing his mistrust since we haven’t spoken for so long. But Lady Carmichael is here and may be my best chance to obtain an invitation.”
    Wrinkling her brow, Emily looked at her carefully. “Should I attend with you?”
    “Attend the party in Carmichael?” Meredith asked. When Emily nodded, she drew back in surprise. “Why in the world would I want that? You’ll be needed here to search the house once the family has left town. And Ana will want yourassistance to decipher any information I send from the field.”
    “Yes, yes.” Emily waved her off. “But I’m worried about you. I’ve never seen you so grim when starting a case. Your expression is positively tortured. Perhaps it would be better if I were there to help.”
    “No!” Meredith turned her back on her friend in preparation to go inside. Emily’s astute observations set her on her heels with surprise. Her friend so easily put words to her own doubts and worries about her involvement in this investigation. “Don’t be ridiculous. I know my duty.”
    “But do you know your heart?” Emily called after her.
    Meredith froze, clenching her fists at her sides as she turned on her friend. Slowly, she shook her head. “My heart has nothing to do with this, Emily. Nothing at all. Excuse me, I must see Lady Carmichael.”
    But as she fled the terrace, she couldn’t ignore that the heart she claimed was not part of her investigation was pounding so loudly she could scarcely hear over it.
     
    Constance Archer, Dowager Marchioness of Carmichael, was much the same as Meredith remembered her. Tristan had inherited his dark hair and piercing eyes from her ladyship. But unlike her son, Lady Carmichael was quick to laugh andseemed to enjoy the pressing demands the party made on her time and company. As Meredith crossed the room, she saw the Marchioness surrounded by a crowd of young women and their mothers. All seemed enthralled by whatever tale the lady was sharing with them.
    Meredith could see why. Lady Carmichael’s face was animated as she shared her story. Her eyes were bright and her hands fluttered like a hummingbird to accentuate her words. Unlike Tristan, there was no sense of melancholy about her or weight of secrets around her neck.
    Meredith set her shoulders back in preparation. Garnering an invitation to a party from a woman who likely didn’t remember