Page 65 of The Bachelor Spy
Wouldn’t that be a lovely coincidence in Blake’s story?
Or would it be lovely? Two spies in love could certainly lead to a great deal of worry, wounds, possible scarring, and even a well-concealed death.
IfHelen was a spy.
But what else could she be? Grace was fairly certain she wasn’t just a housemaid.
“Miss Gale,” Grace said slowly, “I wanted to thank you again for your observations about the break-in. Your attention to detail was quite … impressive.”
She dipped her head. “I’m glad I could be of help, my lady.”
“Your father was a constable, you said?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“He must have taught you a great deal about observation. Investigation.” Grace kept her tone conversational, but she was watching Helen’s every shift of expression.
“He believed in being aware of one’s surroundings.” Helen’s voice remained perfectly even, but her brows drew together in the faintest V—just a flicker so brief Grace almost missed it.
“A useful skill,” Grace continued. “Particularly in … uncertain times such as these.”
Frederick would have been quite proud of her subtlety. She’d been studying the craft in Conan Doyle … and of course from Detective Miracle’s newest book.
Helen’s gaze sharpened almost imperceptibly. “Theseareuncertain times for everyone, my lady.”
The words felt weighted. Was Helen trying to tell her something? Or warn her?
“Yes,” Grace said quietly. “They are. Which is why I find myself grateful for observant people in my household.”
For just a moment, something unguarded crossed Helen’s face. Then the mask returned. “It is my pleasure to serve, my lady.” Helen dipped in a small curtsy. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should finish my duties before the hour grows too late.”
“Of course. Good night, Miss Gale.”
“Good night, Lady Astley.”
Helen turned and walked away, leaving Grace in the corridor alone, her mind working furiously through what had just transpired.
What was Miss Gale’s—or whatever her real name was—connection with Blake?
Was Helen a threat? Or an ally?
Grace desperately wanted to believe the latter. There had been genuine warmth in the way Helen had spoken to Zahra. Real kindness in how she’d handled Shams. Those weren’t the actions of someone entirely cold or calculating.
But they also weren’t proof of innocence.
And why did Helen look at Blake with such … well, Grace wasn’t certain, but there was longing in it, she thought. And was Helen a spy like Blake? Assuming Blake actuallywasa spy, which seemed increasingly likely with each passing day. And if so, what sort of complicated past did they share? Were they working toward the same goal or at cross-purposes? Would they have to fight each other?
And most intriguing of all—did they care for each other?
Grace couldn’t help thinking that was a distinct possibility, though she wasn’t entirely certain whether that conclusion sprang from her own romantic inclinations or from something genuinely observable in their interactions.
She’d read enough novels to know that the most dangerous enemies were sometimes former allies.
And the most devoted allies were sometimes former … what? Lovers? Partners?
Both?
Tomorrow she’d visit Lady Moriah. Learn about the Crawfords.
