B00Q5W7IXE (R) Read Online Free

in challenge.
    “Rules! I’ve known you long enough to break the rules. Following them is Adrian’s job.” She pointed to Blue. “You go first, sir. Or is it lord?”
    It occurred to Helena that though this couple might be well acquainted with Blue, the spy, they knew nothing of Ernest, the man.
    Blue gave a last yank of his sleeve. “Helena, this is Lord and Lady Smythe. Viscount”—he nodded to Adrian—“this is Lady Ernest Bloomington.” He cleared his throat. “My wife.”
    Sophia gasped and then covered her mouth to hide what sounded like delighted giggles. Adrian’s mouth twitched slightly, but he showed no other outward sign of having heard anything unusual.
    He was definitely a spy.
    “Lord Ernest ,” Adrian said.
    “He actually prefers to be called Blue,” Helena said, finally finding her words.
    “Oh, that’s too bad now, isn’t it?” Sophia said between chuckles. “He will henceforth be known as Ernest. No! Ernie! We shall call him Ernie!”
    Adrian pulled his lower lip in, obviously containing his amusement. Even Helena ran her tongue along her teeth to stifle a grin.
    Blue crossed his arms and glared.
    “Wait a moment!” Sophia ceased giggling and straightened suddenly. “Bloomington? Your parents are the duke and duchess?”
    “Will that amuse you as well?” Blue asked.
    She sobered. “No, not at all. That’s actually quite unfortunate. But I am being rude beyond belief.” She made a small bow to Helena. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Ernest. We are old, dear friends of Ernie. We met...ah, how did we meet again?” She looked at her husband and then Blue.
    “Helena knows I used to work for the Barbican group,” Blue said, voice curt. “Since she is a civilian, I thought it best not to reveal your codenames.”
    That must have been the reason he had stumbled upon first saying Sophia’s name. It had started with an S-A...
    Sally? Sadie? Satyr?
    Adrian and Sophia exchanged a look, and then she rose and insinuated herself between Helena and Blue.
    “You do not mind if your lady wife and I chat for a moment, do you?” Sophia asked. “Female matters.” She waved a hand. “You go over there and converse with Adrian.”
    With a heavy sigh, Blue rose and lurched to the other side of the carriage. He sat beside Adrian, crossing his arms over his chest once again in a blatant display of displeasure.
    “What a lovely gown,” Sophia said. Her own was a deep purple in color. “Very festive. Are you looking forward to the ball?”
    “Not particularly.” Helena tried to glance at the men. Blue had his head cocked toward Adrian, who spoke in low tones.
    Sophia’s face popped into her line of vision. “Still, it is lovely to go to a ball, especially a Christmas ball. I have a young son, just a baby, and I must confess this is only the third time I have been away from him for more than a moment or two. Do you have children?”
    Helena sat back, inching to see around Sophia’s other side. “No, we haven’t any children yet.”
    “Oh, but that was a very indiscreet question on my part,” Sophia said, leaning to block Helena. “You must be very newly married.”
    Helena huffed with frustration. “Actually, no. We have been married for quite some years. Why is it you do not want me to see or hear what the gentlemen are discussing?”
    “Really? You have been married for some years? I find that fact quite astonishing. Where have you been hiding?”
    “I was performing on the Continent. Are they discussing a mission?”
    Sophia waved a hand. “Who knows what men talk about.”
    Helena had a feeling that Sophia knew very well what not only men, but the two men seated opposite, liked to talk about.
    “What sort of performer are you? Oh, but of course! You’re a soprano. That wasn’t a quip, was it?”
    “No.” Before the woman could begin blathering again, Helena clamped a hand over her mouth.
    “Lady Smythe, pardon me, but if you say another word, I will be forced to