LITMIR.BIZ

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are times I like to bare-knuckle brawl. It’s well known. No one questions my scars.’

      ‘You once told Nicholas ladies like men with scars. He was eager to inform me of that bit of wisdom.’

      ‘The ladies I associate with do.’

      ‘However, not the ladies my six-year-old son does. I received word Kempt is now under guard in the Tower. Excellent work bringing him in.’

      ‘It wasn’t easy, but it made for an interesting day.’ He raised his bandaged hand to show how interesting it had been to capture the would-be assassin of King George. Andrew tilted his head in an attempt to read the papers on Gabriel’s desk.

      His brother turned the stack over.

      ‘What else do you have for me to do? There must be some interrogation you can use my assistance on or a lead you need me to follow.’

      ‘I have nothing for you.’

      That wasn’t possible. ‘You have nothing or nothing for me.’

      ‘Nothing for you at the moment. Enjoy some time to avoid knife fights and pursue your own interests.’

      ‘Knife fights are an interest of mine.’

      ‘Then go find other ones. You’ve been working for months without stop. When was the last time you spent a significant amount of time simply going wherever the day takes you, doing whatever you want to do?’

      ‘I would grow bored.’

      ‘You might find that you don’t.’

      ‘Are you trying to get rid of me?’

      ‘I am trying to ensure you do not drop from exhaustion or get injured because you have overtaxed yourself.’

      ‘If this is about my hand, I—’

      ‘This isn’t about your hand, Andrew. Although, move your fingers so I can be sure it’s not seriously damaged under that bandage.’

      Andrew shoved his hand towards Gabriel and clenched it into a fist before opening it up and wiggling his fingers. It hurt like hell, but he’d be damned if he’d let his brother know.

      ‘When was the last time you went and visited a friend?’ Gabriel asked, pushing his chair away from his desk.

      ‘I went with Hart to the races not long ago.’

      ‘I meant with someone removed from what we do—outside London.’

      ‘Why would anyone want to go outside London? There is more to do here than anywhere else in the world.’

      ‘There are times it’s important to disengage from our work and give your mind and your nerves time to settle. You’ll be more effective for it.’

      ‘I wouldn’t know what to do.’

      ‘Isn’t there someone you’d like to see that you haven’t because you have not had the time?’

      Andrew dropped his head back and stared at the coffered ceiling in Gabriel’s study, trying to think of anyone whose company he enjoyed enough to leave London. ‘Toby Knightly and I still write to one another. Do you remember him from Cambridge?’

      Gabriel nodded. ‘Did you not share a room together?’

      ‘We did. He’s an out and outer and has been after me to visit him in Cheshire.’

      ‘Then go to Cheshire.’

      A sly smile lifted Andrews lips. ‘You know there has been unrest in the north.’

      ‘Yes, I know. But you are not going there because of the unrest. You are going there because you need rest and visiting with Toby will be enjoyable.’

      ‘How do you know it will be enjoyable?’

      ‘Hell, man, just go!’

      ‘You will not give me another mission until I take my Grand Tour of the English countryside?’ he asked with sarcasm dripping from his voice.

      ‘No, not until I am certain you are well rested.’

      ‘Then you are leaving me no choice.’

      ‘I’m not. I am relieving you of all duties here for a month.’

      ‘A month! That’s absurd. A week.’

      There was a tick in Gabriel’s jaw. ‘A fortnight and not a day sooner. Do I make myself clear? You are to completely disengage yourself for fourteen days.’

      ‘This new baby you and Olivia have had has softened your brain. Very well. Since you are not giving me a choice, I shall send word to Toby. I’d prefer not to arrive unannounced at his door.’

      Gabriel sat back and smiled. ‘Our mother taught you well. She’d be proud.’

      ‘Well, she does like me best.’

      ‘I’m sure that has nothing to do with your grooming habits or your fashionable attire.’

      ‘My grooming habits are impeccable.’

      ‘You need a shave and a haircut.’

      Andrew ran his hand through his hair that fell a bit past his collar. ‘I like it this length. And no matter what I wear, it will never be up to snuff according to you.’

      ‘I should increase your wages, maybe then you’d see fit to purchase some new coats.’

      ‘I can afford new coats on the income I make from my investments. However, should you see fit to increase my wages, I’ll not complain.’ He glanced down at the sleeve of his brown coat. ‘I like this coat. It’s perfectly worn. You make it sound as though I run around London in doublet and hose. I see no difference in the cut of my coats compared to the cut of the ones you wear.’

      ‘No, I don’t suppose you would.’ A teasing smile was tugging at the corner of his brother’s mouth. ‘You might find you’d attract a different calibre of women if you didn’t consistently look as though you belong in a boxing ring.’

      ‘But I enjoy being in a boxing ring and I’m fine with the calibre of women I attract.’

      ‘Go, Andrew. Give yourself time to rest and release some of that tension.’

      That tension was wound so tightly around every fibre of Andrew’s being it would never leave him. It had taken hold of him years ago, on a rainy night in Richmond when he confronted his beloved uncle who was holding a gun on Gabriel. Andrew did something that night he never thought he was capable of. He took his uncle’s life. Protecting the Crown had a way of changing a man. It had a way of forcing one to lock down emotions that made you vulnerable and allowed you to make the kinds of choices no man should ever have to make.

      There was no sense in telling Gabriel that Andrew could move up north and it still would not matter. Andrew would never be without that tension that held down his emotions to enable him to be an effective and efficient operative. He would never live the life of a country gentleman like Toby. No small estate and pleasant wife were in his future. They were distractions he could not afford. He was a man who was always on a mission. To appease Gabriel he would leave, but it would change nothing.

       Chapter Four

      Settling into the comfortable wing-backed chair, Charlotte accepted a cup of tea from her friend Ann after their walk around the windy garden of Ann’s stately home in the Cheshire countryside.

      ‘Thank you again for your invitation to dine here tonight,’ Charlotte said. ‘Since Lizzy’s recent departure, the house seems unusually quiet. One would think I would be accustomed to the silence, but for some reason I’m feeling it rather acutely at the moment.’

      ‘I’m so glad you accepted my invitation,’ Ann replied with a smile,

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