Page 82 of Isabel and the Rogue

After he departed, Lady Yardley asked Evans to bring them two glasses of wine, stating they were in great need of it. As they sipped an excellent red vintage Isabel didn’t know the name of, the older woman considered Isabel over her glass.

“You could have been a viscountess.” Her blue eyes were far away, no doubt imagining the wedding announcement. “What an achievement that would have been.”

“I want to achieve more than marriage, my lady.” Isabel held up her glass, rotating it, mesmerized by the red liquid that swished about. “There are so many things I’d like to try—”

“Well, you’d have to get your nose out of your books to do so,” Lady Yardley said with a dry laugh.

“I know.” Isabel smiled at her. “And I will.”

The door opened, and Evans walked in, a sealed letter on a tray. But instead of presenting it to the viscountess, he extended it to Isabel.

“Mr. Valdés just sent this by courier. He said you need to read it immediately.”

Blinking up at Evans, Isabel nodded, gingerly lifting the letter from the tray. Studying the seal, Isabel’s eyes widened. Ripping it open, she gasped, raising a trembling hand to her mouth.

“Who’s it from?” Lady Yardley asked.

Lowering her hand, Isabel released a shaky breath. “Presidente Juárez.”

• • •

“You look like shit, Dawson.”

Sirius glanced over his shoulder to grumble at the intruder, but paused when his gaze landed on the figure in the doorway. Setting down his book, he dropped his feet to the floor and rose, inclining his head respectfully. “Sir.”

Lieutenant Colonel Green stepped into the study, his eyes sweeping over the room, before turning to examine Sirius. His inspection felt tangible, and Sirius stood straighter, struggling not to shift on his feet. Yet Sirius had so much to feel ashamed of.

Finally, the older man pulled out a chair on the opposite side of the desk and sat. “You missed our meeting today,” he said without preamble.

Sirius gradually sank back onto his own chair. “I apologize.”

“You missed last week’s as well. And the one before that.”

Hunching his shoulders, Sirius nodded. “I’ve not been feeling”—his throat bobbed—“myself.”

“So it would seem.” Lieutenant Colonel Green raised his brows. “Although I suspect what’s ailing you is not physical.”

Sirius fought back a wince…as well as a desire to defend himself. But there was no defense, so he pressed his lips together in what he hoped was a friendly smile. “What would you like to discuss today, sir?”

“Your retirement.”

“My what?” Sirius cried, slapping his hands on the desk as he leaned forward.

“Your retirement, Dawson.” Green slipped a letter from his coat pocket and held it out to Sirius. “You’ve served the Home Office honorably for the last eight years, and have proven yourself to be an asset to the Crown multiple times.”

“And yet you want me to retire?” Sirius growled, taking the letter and brandishing it in the air. “Why?”

The older man leaned back in his chair, folding his hands over his belly. “Because it’s obvious you don’t enjoy the work anymore.”

Sirius scoffed. “It’s work. Was I ever supposed to enjoy it?”

“When you had a beautiful woman on your arm, it appeared you did.” Green peered at him over his spectacles. “Dawson, we both know you don’t have to work. Regardless of your relationship with Harcourt, your parents left you a sizable fortune. You don’t have to do this job, so why continue to do so when it’s obvious your heart is no longer in it?”

Standing, Sirius crossed to the sideboard and grabbed a glass. Lifting a half-filled decanter of brandy, he poured himself a finger before tossing it back in one burning mouthful. “I do it because I feel that I have to.”

Good breeding won out over frustration, and he poured Green a glass, depositing it on the desk in front of the man. Too agitated to reclaim his seat, Sirius paced in front of the window.

Green lifted his tumbler and took a sip, whistling as he set it down. “Excellent bite.” Sighing, he looked at Sirius. “You did it because of your men. I know. I’ve always known. The occupation seemed to be good for you, so I didn’t say anything.”