Simone smiled at Caleb. “We were just about to have a cup of tea. Would you care to join us?”
“Tea would be lovely,” Caleb responded.
Anette brought a hand up to her forehead. “Oh, I just forgot. I have errands that I need to see to before Roswell returns home. I should run along before the day gets away from me.”
“Are you sure?” Simone asked.
With a bob of her head, Anette started backing up towards the door. “I enjoyed our time immensely and I will call upon you later.”
After Anette had departed from the townhouse, Simone turned her questioning gaze towards Caleb.
Caleb chuckled. “My sister is not so subtle, I’m afraid. Shewanted to leave us alone so we would no doubt fall in love and have a bushel of children.”
“I assumed as much.”
He approached her and lowered his voice. “We need to speak privately.” There was an urgency to his words.
“Shall we take a tour of the gardens, then?” Simone asked.
Caleb offered his arm. “Allow me to escort you.”
Simone placed her hand on his sleeve and he led her towards the rear of the townhouse. Once they started down a path, she removed her hand and clasped them in front of her.
Caleb’s gaze remained straight ahead as he revealed, “I believe the French spies intend to assassinate General Merrell.”
Her brow shot up. “Why would you assume such a thing?”
“General Merrell will be at Lord Pendley’s ball as an honored guest,” Caleb said. “His guards will be distracted and it would be a perfect opportunity to get close to Wellington’s right-hand man.”
Simone considered Caleb’s words before saying, “Then we must tell him at once.”
“I agree.” Caleb came to a stop on the path and turned to face her. “We need to report our findings to Kendrick first.”
With a glance at the back gate, Simone said, “Very well. I will meet you there.”
“We could always go together under the ruse of a carriage ride,” Caleb suggested.
Simone shook her head. “I would prefer not to be seen with you, at least until thetonloses interest in our association.”
“That might be some time.”
“I know, but it is safer that way,” Simone said. “By associating with you, it is drawing unwanted attention towards us.”
“Us?” He smirked. “Is there an ‘us’?”
Simone pursed her lips. “You are maddening.”
“You make it entirely too easy to tease you,” Caleb said.He took a step closer to her, but still maintained a proper distance. “I have noticed that a line between your brow appears when you get frustrated with me.”
“It must happen all the time, then,” Simone bantered.
Caleb eyed her curiously. “Do you want to know what I think?”
“No, I don’t.”
His lips curled into a smile. “I think you secretly like me.”
“You would be wrong in that assumption.”
