Read My Lord the Spy for Free Online Page B

Joshua certainly was not.
    “Yes, it’s probably too late for her, but I hope she finds a suitor while she’s here. She should have had a season years ago, but my father’s illness and then the mourning period put paid to that. I feel sorry for her; there are a lot prettier, younger girls on the marriage mart this year. My sister doesn’t even have a huge dowry to help, although to be fair it’s not too bad.”
    Edmund almost laughed out loud at Charles’ comments. With an ally like Charles, his sister would never find a suitor. The thought of the sister not being chased by young men appealed to Edmund, as a possessive feeling had wrapped around his chest at the mention of her finding a suitor; he did not wish any of the fops he knew to experience the kisses that he had.
    “It’s very good of you to bring her, even so,” Edmund said smoothly.
    Charles sighed and then started to speak as if a dam had burst. “You would think so, wouldn’t you? But I honestly don’t know what has got into Clara these days. She isn’t the sister I grew up with, believe me! She is nagging, moaning at me every time I wish to do something she disagrees with. Honestly, if I let her have her own way, she would have me in Dorset never showing my face in public!”
    “Family members can sometimes be a little over zealous when dealing with someone close.”
    “Well, my sister would be at the top of the pile, believe me! I wish she would marry; she could nag her husband and leave me be!”
    “I could help if you like,” Edmund offered, swirling the brandy in its glass and watching Charles. His tone of voice was that of a friend willing to help, of someone who could be trusted.
    “Would you?” Charles asked in surprise. “She might not take too kindly to you. I’ve never had a problem with her being rude to friends before, but she certainly doesn’t like Shambles and makes no secret of it. If you met, she could take you in dislike and would have no compunction in showing her feelings to you. Shambles gets very angry at the way she speaks to him.”
    The little fool, Edmund thought grimly to himself. She hates Shambles and showed it to Charles. That was a guaranteed way to secure the friendship; he was a child, reacting in the way he would against a strict parent. “I shall take the risk.”
    “Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Charles said with a shrug.
    “I’m sure she will be a lovely dancing companion and, while she is dancing with me, she can’t be watching you,” Edmund said easily.
    “It would certainly be a start. I sometimes feel her eyes never leave me, although I don’t know why she is so hawk like; Shambles isn’t invited to lots of the parties she attends.”
    “Is he in trade?” Edmund asked innocently.
    “No, just a gentleman fallen on hard times,” Charles said in defence of his friend. In reality he had no idea of Joshua’s background, apart from when Joshua taunted Charles about his upbringing.
    “There are a lot of those around,” Edmund said sympathetically. “Are you attending the Stamford’s ball tonight?”
    “No,” Charles replied and had the good grace to look shamefaced. “I was supposed to be; I’ve sent a reply in the affirmative but, after yet another argument with my sister, I’m refusing to go. I doubt she will go without my escort.”
    “Not to worry! I was going to ask for two dances; that is all. Would you mind if I called on you both tomorrow?”
    “That would be smashing. She might even have calmed down by then!” Charles said hopefully.
    *
    Clara had not attended the Stamford’s party the previous evening; she had not been able to face it. Not one for maudlin moods, she really was at a loss as to what to do about Charles. She went through morning visits with little enjoyment. She had not seen or heard from him; she was not even sure he had returned home at all. Something had to happen to improve matters between them, but Clara had no idea what was required.
    She