Read The Fashionable Spy for Free Online Page B

see what develops with regard to the gentleman. How fortunate you are that he was a gentleman. I am surprised Sam would allow you to be carried off like that.”
    Her eyes contained more curiosity than reproach. That she was intrigued at this departure from Sam’s normally protective behavior was clear. Victoria suspected that Julia also wondered at her own reticence in discussing the storm-caused delay. For some reason, she was not prepared to reveal all that had occurred.
    “When I encountered Sam at the inn in Canterbury, he actually seemed surprised that Sir Edward was not with me. As though I would permit such a thing. Do you know that man had the effrontery to order a coach to come for us in the afternoon? He knew I wished to arrive in London as soon as possible.” Victoria sniffed with disdain at the man who had such presumption.
    “Interesting,” Julia replied.
    “Let us put all that behind us,” Victoria begged, partly from a need for self-defense and partly from the urgency of the matter in which they were involved. “I have the packet, and may I remind you that the information is urgently desired?” That someone threw a knife at her just before she acquired that same packet she prudently omitted. Also, the knowledge that the knife bore the crude carving of an iris was not revealed. “The weather in Dover was extremely nasty. I was fortunate to make my contact and flee the town in one piece. It is a relief to be home. I shall send in my report, then see if I can solve the riddle posed by the cipher.”
    Julia nodded, apparently happy to have her sister cozily safe in the morning room. “You are certain that Sir Edward had no idea what you possessed?”
    Victoria smiled with catlike smugness. “Not in the least. Although he carried my case into the windmill, there isn’t the least evidence that he removed it from the foot of my bed, much less opened it. Indeed, he evinced little curiosity about my occupation.” She had been surprised at this, for most people asked all manner of questions. She had often wondered if the disapproval from the women who queried her stemmed from envy rather than censure.
    “What a relief.” Julia glanced to where the girls sat by the hearth, undressing their dolls and amiably arguing in their incomprehensible chatter. “They appear settled for the nonce, at any rate. It was kind of you to remember them with such pretty trifles.” Turning back to face her sister, she got to the point. “Shall you begin work on the papers immediately?”
    Victoria withdrew the oiled silk packet from her reticule and unfolded the few papers that had been tucked within. She spread them out on the table at her side. “It appears to be a list. But what is the key to deciphering it? It is like nothing I have encountered to this point. I must say, whoever penned this had an atrocious hand.” she murmured as she picked up a magnifying glass to again study the formation of the various letters that made up the words on the first page. While en route to London, with only Sable for companionship, Victoria had pulled the packet from her case to look it over. She had hoped to pass the hours in profitable study. Instead, she found the code impossible to break.
    The room grew quiet, with the gentle crackle of the fire a sweet counterpoint to the murmurings of the girls. Victoria prepared her report, ringing for Evenson to promptly dispatch it.
    Then the door burst open and a slim young woman, her chestnut curls bouncing and aquamarine eyes wide with curiosity, charged into the room. “Why did no one wake me? What happened? Did you find any incriminating evidence? How did your stay go? Why are you late coming home? And why is there a court plaster on your forehead?”
    Victoria rose from the table and went to reassure her younger sister that all was well. “Elizabeth, calm yourself. I found out not a thing. And I am well enough after my wetting, thanks to the care from the gentleman whose chaise