Read The Reckless Bride for Free Online Page A

want of a better term, couriers, who left Bombay on the same day, all heading for England by different routes. All four are carrying identical scroll-holders, but only one contains the original letter—and that original letter must reach the Duke of Wolverstone in order for the Black Cobra to be stopped.”
    When she paused and opened her blue eyes wide at him, he nodded. “In a nutshell, that’s it.”
    “So which do you have—one of the decoys, or the vital original?”
    Rafe shook his head. “The four of us decided that information shouldn’t be revealed to anyone, not even shared among us.”
    “In case this fiend of a snake seizes one of you and tries to coerce the information from them in order to concentrate solely on the one who carries the original?” Esme nodded. “Excellent idea. Don’t tell us. We don’t need to know that you’re carrying the original.”
    Expression blank, Rafe stared at her, but Esme only smiled.
    “The Duke of Wolverstone.” Loretta glanced at Esme. “Isn’t he something of a secret war hero? A spymaster or some such?”
    “At one time. He retired some years ago, then assumed the title, but I seriously doubt he’ll have lost his lauded skills.” Esme met Rafe’s eyes. “If you’re working for Royce,
    Dalziel—Wolverstone—whatever name he goes by these days, then as loyal Englishwomen it clearly behooves us to do whatever we can to aid your quest.”
    Rafe inwardly blinked. If he’d known Wolverstone’s name would have such an effect, he’d have used it sooner.
    “Regardless, however, now that we know about your mission and have been seen with you by people the serpent’s minions might question, then there’s clearly no option other than to join forces.” Esme smiled with satisfaction. “So no more muttering—you, dear boy, henceforth will be our courier-guide, and Hassan will be our guard.”
    Esme glanced at Loretta, then looked back at Rafe. “Which makes us your charges.” Her smile was triumph incarnate.
    Lips thin, Rafe nodded, then with a glance at Loretta, added, “Until we reach England.”

Two

    November 25, 1822
Imperial Hotel, Buda
    N onsense, dear boy! You can’t seriously expect us to spend the day hiding like frightened rabbits. Besides, the point of you and Hassan joining us is to disguise you—even if some of these heathens spot you, as you said yourself, as long as you’re with us they’re unlikely to recognize you.”
    It was the next morning, and Rafe had been summoned to join Esme and Loretta at the breakfast table in the sitting room of Esme’s suite. Meeting Esme’s animated eyes, he drew breath to reiterate that the principal imperative behind him and Hassan joining her party was to keep her, Loretta, and their maids safe.
    “It’s also most unlikely,” Loretta said, speaking before he could, “that the cult people will be watching the places tourists visit—they’d never imagine you would amble out to take in the sights.”
    “Just so.” Esme nodded decisively. “So you and Hassan can accompany Loretta and Rose on their expedition to Buda Castle and wherever else she has in mind.”
    “The Matthias Church and the fisherman’s town,” Loretta supplied, glancing down at a sheet of notes.
    “Meanwhile,” Esme continued, “Gibson and I will spend the day at the Rudas Baths, and you may fetch us in the afternoon on your way back to the hotel.” She smiled and reached for her teacup. “That sounds an excellent disposition of our day.”
    Rafe glanced at Loretta Michelmarsh. Her glossy dark head nodded absentmindedly; she was busy studying her list.
    Reaching for his coffee cup—he was in need of the fortification—he searched for some argument strong enough to trump Esme’s and her great-niece’s oh-so-rational intransigence, and found none.
    That was rapidly becoming the story of his mission. Esme, and more quietly but equally effectively Loretta, had taken charge, and while their party continued more or less in