Agent of the Crown Read Online Free Page A

Now was a good time. And there was the
distraction she needed.
    The dance ended and Hussey offered her his
arm again. “Would you care for a stroll on the verandah? it’s
rather warm in here, ” he said.
    Telaine flashed her dimple and cast her eyes
down, inwardly laughing at the lie that echoed, discordant, in her
ears; despite all the people, the room was comfortable enough that
anyone, magical talent or no, would have known Hussey was
dissembling. “I believe I’d prefer a cool drink,” she said, and
steered him gently toward the long table where a white-gloved
servitor in a dark brown jacket held a tray of drinks and a trio of
elegantly gowned women stood.
    “Why, Stella Murchison, how are you?”
she trilled, putting just the right note of surprise and pleasure
into her voice. A blonde woman conversing with the other ladies
turned, gasped theatrically, and embraced Telaine. “Stella, I
haven’t seen you for simply ages . Do introduce me to your
friends.”
    “Of course! My dear, this is Lady Patricia
Foxton of the Emberton Foxtons, you know the family. And this is
Diantha Wemberly, lately made Baroness of Marandis. Ladies, this is
her Highness Telaine North Hunter.”
    “Charmed to meet you,” Telaine said, bowing
over each lady’s hand in turn. “Oh, I mustn’t forget—this is Edgar
Hussey of the Millford Husseys. You know, Lady Arabella’s nephew?
He’s the most divine dancer.” She giggled and squeezed Hussey’s
arm. “Are you enjoying yourselves? I certainly am! Oh, Mister
Hussey, would you mind keeping these ladies company while I freshen
up? I promise to be back soon, and maybe we can have that walk on
the verandah?” She raised her eyebrow coyly and made her escape
before Hussey could protest.
    The facilities at the Chadwick manor were on
the floor below the ballroom, not convenient for guests, but
perfect for Telaine’s purposes. Telaine descended the well-lit
stairs, the ruddy wood paler in the center as if hundreds of guests
had walked away with the color, but turned left instead of right,
walking casually as if she had a right to be there. With every
step, she left the light behind, until she reached another
staircase, this one carpeted in dark blue but worn where feet had
trodden it over the years. The Chadwicks had never been a wealthy
family, but they kept that secret concealed from their many
guests.
    Telaine went up two flights of stairs,
listening for servants or lost guests wandering the premises, but
she met no one. At the second landing, where a many-paned window
looked out over Lady Harroden’s garden, she paused and listened
again, but everything remained still. The servants were either busy
with the ball or taking a welcome rest from their employer’s
demands.
    When she was certain she had this floor of
the manor to herself, Telaine made her way down the hall, staying
alert for the sound of anyone approaching. The Princess would
likely not be challenged on roaming the manor freely, but if
necessary she would claim she was going to a romantic rendezvous
and use her haughtiest manner to overwhelm whoever had the temerity
to stop her—a ploy she’d used more than once before. It hadn’t hurt
her reputation—or, rather, it hadn’t hurt her cover story—to have
the Princess be known as a flirt as well as a frivolous
socialite.
    But that ruse wouldn’t be needed tonight; the
hall remained silent except for her own quiet movements. In her
dark green dress and gloves, she could barely see herself against
the walnut paneling, with only her fairer arms and face standing
out in the dimness. Her full skirt made the faintest noise as she
walked, like the distant whisper of conversation. Unfortunate, but
it couldn’t be helped.
    She counted doors, one, two, three, then
gently turned the handle of the fourth door. It wasn’t locked. That
could mean her intelligence was wrong and the Count didn’t keep
anything important in here, or it could mean he was too cocky, or
too stupid,