Caleb wore a pensive expression. “Anette may wear trousers to ride horses but I don’t think she would ever be brazen enough to go to university.”
“That is how Kendrick found me,” Simone shared. “He followed me out of the hall and asked if I wanted to do more with my life than sit in drawing rooms. I don’t know how but he saw through my disguise.”
“Kendrick is a spymaster, after all.”
“It hardly took me a moment before I agreed to work for him,” Simone said. “He started me off small by eavesdropping on conversations. Soon I started going out on my own and completing tougher assignments.”
Caleb nodded. “Kendrick found me at university as well. He recruited me and Roswell at the same time. We have been working together ever since.”
“Except on this assignment,” Simone pointed out. “Why do you suppose that is?”
“Frankly, I am not sure.”
Simone extended a gesture towards the settees. “Would you care to have a seat and maybe a cup of tea?”
“Does this mean you aren’t trying to get rid of me?” Caleb inquired, a hint of mirth lacing his voice.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Simone quipped.
An older maid stepped into the room, taking a position in the corner.
Simone went to sit down and was pleased when Caleb sat on the opposite settee. Surprisingly, the conversation was proving less burdensome than she anticipated and she even found herself enjoying it.
“Would you care for some tea?” Simone asked as she reached for the teapot on the tray.
Caleb bobbed his head. “I would, thank you.”
Simone poured two cups of tea and offered him a cup and saucer. Their fingers brushed against one another, and she felt something. Something that she couldn’t quite explain. It almost felt like a spark, which lingered like a sweet bruise. Which was impossible. That would imply that she felt something for Caleb. And she most assuredly did not. She could barely tolerate the man.
Caleb leaned back in his seat, appearing completely unaffected by their touch. What a relief. At least he had the good sense to feel nothing.
Caleb was working hard to keep the emotions off his face, but something had happened when they had touched. It was most extraordinary, and not at all welcome. He felt something, but he would never act upon those feelings.
Simone was complicated, and messy. Both things he did not need in his life. He would just pretend that nothing had happened and move on. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t find a young woman to court if he wanted to. But he did not want to court anyone. He preferred being on his own, much to his mother’s chagrin.
He took a sip of his tea as he observed Simone. He still couldn’t fathom how thetonhad completely overlooked her. Her beauty alone should have made her the envy of the otheryoung women, but she didn’t flaunt it. Perhaps she didn’t realize how truly captivating she was.
But he wasn’t visiting Simone for a social call. He wanted to get to know her and see if she had deciphered the code.
Caleb knew he had to be discreet since they weren’t alone. A maid was working on her needlework in the corner, but he had little doubt that she was listening to their conversation.
Leaning forward, he placed the teacup onto the table and asked, “Did you have a chance to read the newssheets?”
Understanding dawned on Simone’s features. “I did,” she replied. “I was up most of the night reading the newssheets, and the only thing that sparked my attention was the words- Noble Snapping Turtle.” She paused. “Do those words mean anything to you?”
Caleb nodded. “There is a pub known as The Noble Snapping Turtle and it is where French sympathizers spend their time,” he informed her. “Was anything else of importance in the newssheets?”
Simone shook her head. “Nothing. At first, I thought the paper you gave me was of little use, but eventually I started seeing a pattern in the words,” she said. “Shall we start at the pub?”
With a glance at the maid, Caleb replied, “Perhaps I should go alone.”
“Why would you do such a thing?” she asked, her words curt.
Not wishing to stoke Simone’s anger, Caleb gently explained, “The pub is in Shadwell and is no place for a lady. Your appearance might cause a disruption amongst the patrons.”
“You underestimate me,” Simone asserted. “I am more than capable of blending in, if the situation warrants it.”
Caleb knew there was no point in arguing with Simone. He could see the determination in her eyes, and he knew she wasn’t about to give up this fight. There was no denying thatSimone was a formidable young woman, but even she had limitations. Did she even realize what they were?
