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

with the other women. She took Meredith’s arm and led her away without a backward glance.
    “How nice,” she said as they took a slow turn around the perimeter of the room, Lady Carmichael deftly guiding them through the crowd. “You two were friendly as children, were you not? He has often spoken of his carefree days at your uncle and aunt’s home.” A shadow momentarily passed over the older woman’s care-lined face. “He laughed easier then.”
    Meredith tilted her head. So her ladyship sensed the trouble in her son as well. How much did the woman know about his dealings? Lady Carmichael could be a valuable source of information, ifonly Meredith could get that precious invitation to Carmichael.
    “I believe we all laugh easier as children,” she said. “There are no responsibilities, no cares to weigh us down. Now that your son is Marquis, I suppose business keeps him from enjoying too many nights such as this one.”
    Her ladyship shrugged. “Even when he is out in company, he hardly allows a smile to pass over his lips. I try to encourage him with events like this.”
    Meredith nodded. Tristan had always been serious and quiet. It did not surprise her that he didn’t care for such events. Still, she had to prod on. “Perhaps he does not care for London Society, my lady?”
    The trick was to slowly guide the conversation toward the country party. Then she could maneuver her way into the invitation. But it was like piloting some great ship. It took care and slow determination.
    Lady Carmichael laughed. “He cares little for country Society either,” she said. “Even our annual Carmichael gathering brings him little joy.”
    “Do you have an annual gathering in Carmichael?” Meredith asked with pretended surprise. “How lovely. I hear the countryside there is beautiful. I’m sure it will do him good. I certainly love the country air.” She held her breath as she watched Lady Carmichael from the corner of her gaze.
    Her ladyship snapped her gaze to Meredith’sface and her green eyes twinkled. “You are welcome to join us, my dear. We depart Monday next. After so long, it would be a pleasure to renew our acquaintance.”
    Meredith stifled a burst of triumphant glee. She forced an unsure expression as she lifted a gloved fingertip to her lips. “Monday next? I’m not certain. You know I’m involved in the Sisters of the Heart Society for Widows and Orphans.”
    Lady Carmichael nodded. “You do excellent work. But our gathering is only for a fortnight. I’m sure you could be spared from your good works for such a short time.”
    She paused as if considering the offer a bit more, then nodded. “I suppose you’re right. If I am to censure your son, even in jest, for his overly serious manner, I cannot live my own life by work alone. I think I shall join you.”
    Lady Carmichael clasped her hands. “Excellent! Oh, Tristan will be very pleased.”
    “What will I be pleased about, Mother?”
    Meredith stiffened. Her skills as a spy were obviously in need of tuning. Without her realizing it, Tristan had approached from behind and was standing directly at her elbow. She fought the urge to spin on him with a move of defense and instead subtly maneuvered to face him.
    “My lord, you startled me,” she said with a breathy laugh… too breathy for her taste.
    “Tristan, Lady Northam has agreed to join ourlittle party in Carmichael next week,” his mother said with a wide smile. “Isn’t that wonderful?”
    For a brief moment Tristan’s reaction to his mother’s news was completely unguarded, and Meredith was able to interpret his every emotion. Surprise darkened his eyes, and an anxiety that knotted her stomach with suspicion.
    But along with those expressions was something else. Deep within his eyes, in places so dark she almost turned away, she saw desire. Hot and burning out of control. Desire for her.
    A desire her traitorous body answered in kind, despite how shocking that reaction was. And