Read Online Dawn's Early Light by Pip Ballantine - Free Book Online Page B

together in North Carolina that would not be improper.”
    Out of his peripheral vision, Wellington caught Eliza rolling her eyes. Heartbreaking as it would be to miss out on such an amazing opportunity, she was absolutely right: duty and charge must come first.
    Wellington was therefore surprised to hear himself say, “I would be delighted. I’m certain my wife would not mind.”
    Eliza flinched at his side. Wellington gave her a pat on her hand, but refused to look at her directly. He knew what would be waiting for him if he did.
    Felicity grinned and bounced on the balls of her feet. “Your kindness knows no bounds.”
    â€œYes,” Eliza seethed, “you could say his generosity steals all sense from him at times.”
    A shrill whistle cut through the din, its piercing note causing a few of the women to let out a chorus of little shrieks. They all spun about to see Bill removing two fingers out of his mouth as he leaned casually against the front desk.
    â€œFelicity,” he called across the silent lobby to her, “you okay with a queen in your room, or are you wantin’ a king?”
    â€œA king if it is available, Bill,” she replied, giving him a forced smile.
    When she turned back to Wellington and Eliza, her smile was a hint tighter than it should have been. “We’re checked in under our real names. That’s what happens when I let the field agent with the penchant for firearms make the hotel arrangements.” She sighed. “Pity. I was hoping to travel incognito my first time in the field.”
    â€œShall we take a look at our accommodations?” Wellington asked.
    â€œYes, let’s,” Eliza said, gently pulling him closer to her. “We have a lot to discuss, dearest.”
    Those were the last words Wellington heard from Eliza as they found their way to Room Ten. Despite the chill, the staff had opened the room’s windows so the sea-scented air greeted their senses, along with the crashing of the nearby surf.
    â€œSo,” Wellington muttered as his eyes took it all in, “this is how the field agents live?”
    While not as spacious as Eliza’s apartments back in London, the suite here at Swan’s Retreat was most well appointed. The Atlantic breeze casually toyed with the sheer draperies hanging from high above a receiving parlour. Wellington’s eyes continued from where they stood into the main bedroom off to his left. His eyes also noted a second bedroom, perhaps for children or other relatives, to the right. Between both rooms, a door led outside to a small deck where one might watch a sunrise or simply enjoy moonlight on the ocean’s surface.
    All this luxury sprawling before and around him became inconsequential as Eliza’s anger abruptly shattered its serenity.
    â€œReally, Wellington?
Really?!
”
    â€œEsther,
darling
,” Wellington stammered as he looked about the room wildly, “do lower your voice!”
    â€œOh, stuff it, Welly. I suspect at Swan’s Retreat they don’t wire the suites with recording devices nor do they spy on their guests. You probably have to pay extra for that.” Eliza paused, pursing her lips together as her hands came to rest on her hips. Her fingertips wiggled against the fabric and creases of her skirts. She was not mad, Wellington realised. She was livid. “So before our luggage arrives, let’s just get this out! I don’t know who I want to shoot first—you or that annoying Lovelace woman!”
    â€œNow, have a care. Felicity is quite charming, in her own, rather unique, way.”
    Eliza’s eyebrow arched slightly. That tiny gesture never failed to terrify Wellington.
    He adjusted his necktie. “It is harmless. I see no danger in two patrons of science and technology partaking in a lecture, colleague to colleague.”
    She nodded, her eyes narrowing on Wellington. “Colleague to colleague? Is that what you call