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On Saturday afternoon, Stone and Dino were returning from the stables when one of the Range Rovers stopped in front of the house, and Tamlyn climbed out.

Stone called to her and waved.

She looked around, surprised, then smiled when she spotted them and waved back.

Stone met her halfway and pulled her into a hug and kissed her.

“It seems like you’ve been gone forever.”

“What a sweet talker.”

She kissed him back.

When they separated, he said, “How was London?”

“Busy.”

“Get everything done?”

“More than I thought I would, but not as much as I wished. If I have any hope of flying back with you on Monday, I’ll have to return to the city tomorrow.”

“Perhaps I’ll ride up with you. We could have dinner before returning to Windward Hall.”

“I’d love that.”

“Shall I arrange a ride?”

“Already done. It’ll be here at ten.”

“Perfect.”

They met up with Dino at the door and entered the house.

“What have you two been up to?” she asked as they walked through the entryway toward the stairs.

“I convinced Dino to go horseback riding.”

“Not a horse fan, are you?” she asked Dino.

“Horses are perfectly fine,” Dino said.

“It’s the bouncing up and down that gets old quick.”

“To be fair,” Stone said, “he is semi-competent in the saddle.”

Dino stopped at the bottom of the stairs and said, “Remind me not to have you speak at my retirement dinner.”

“You’re retiring?” Tamlyn asked.

“Not to my knowledge,” Dino said.

“But it’s always good to have a plan.”

“Which is why my speech is already written,” Stone said.

“The one you won’t be giving anytime soon?” Tamlyn said.

“She’s a fast learner,” Dino said.

“I like her.”

“I like her, too,” Stone said.

“I hadn’t noticed. Now, if you two will excuse me, I think I’ll stretch out for a bit before we head to the party.”

“To rest your bruised gluteus maximus, you mean.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Dino said as he headed for the stairs.

“What time are we leaving?” Tamlyn asked.

“Seven-forty-five,” Stone said.

Tamlyn checked her watch.

“If I’m going to be ready by then, I need to take a shower now.”

“Perhaps you could use some help with that.”

“No ‘perhaps’ about it.”

“Allow me to show you the way.”

Stone, Tamlyn, and Dino took Stone’s boat across the Beaulieu River to Dame Felicity’s dock, where they were met by one of her staff in an electric cart.

They arrived at the house shortly after and were escorted into the grand salon, where they were greeted by Felicity herself.

“Stone, my dear, I’m so happy you were able to make it.”

She kissed him on the corner of his mouth.

“Felicity, you look as radiant as ever,” Stone said.

“Of course I do.” She turned to Dino.

“And you’ve brought my favorite commissioner of police.” She gave him a hug, then said, “Don’t tell me Viv is on a business trip again.”

“You know her too well. She sends her greetings and regrets.”

“Tell her I expect her attendance next time and will accept no excuses.”

“I’ll let her know, but take no responsibility in regards to her future actions.”

Felicity’s gaze swung to Tamlyn, her smile growing.

“And who is this gorgeous creature?”

“Dame Felicity, may I present Tamlyn Thompson,” Stone said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dame Devonshire,” Tamlyn said.

“Call me Felicity, my dear.”

“Thank you, Felicity.”

“That’s not an American accent I’m hearing.”

“Singaporean, seasoned by several years in the U.K.”

“You lived here?”

“I did, but I’m in New York now.”

“She’s Strategic Services’ new chief technology officer,” Stone said.

“Is that right?” Felicity said.

“I know Mike Freeman only hires the best, so if you ever decide you want to move back, I’m sure a position could be found for you at MI6.”

“That is very kind,” Tamlyn said.

“It’s purely selfish. We’re always on the lookout for talent.”

A young man in a suit approached and whispered something into Felicity’s ear.

“Now?” Felicity said.

Another whisper.

“Oh, all right.” To the others, Felicity said, “I’m needed on the phone. The prime minister. Shouldn’t be long.”

She followed the young man out of the room.

“Was she serious about a job at MI6?” Tamlyn asked.

“I don’t think she’d joke about that,” Stone said.

“Why? Are you interested?”

“No, I’m very happy with my job now, but it is flattering.”

“I do believe that was the point,” Dino said.

“What do you—” She stopped herself.

“Was she flirting with me?”

“You shouldn’t be surprised,” Stone said.

“You’re an accomplished, beautiful woman.”

“First, thank you. Second, why would she flirt with me when I’m clearly here with you?”

“That hasn’t stopped her before,” Dino said.

Tamlyn raised an eyebrow.

“Is that so?”

“One hears rumors.”

“From whom?”

“Does anyone want a drink?” Stone interrupted.

“I know I could use one.”

“You have nothing to say about this?” Tamlyn asked.

“I feel anything I might say now could be misconstrued.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“Good evening, Stone, Dino,” a familiar voice said behind them.

Stone and Dino turned in unison to find CIA Director Lance Cabot standing a few feet away.

“Lance, I didn’t realize you would be here,” Stone said.

“That’s strange,” Lance said.

“I knew you would be.”

Dino put a hand beside his mouth and stage-whispered, “I was under the impression this was going to be an exclusive party.”

“So was I,” Stone whispered back.

Ignoring them, Lance turned his attention to Tamlyn.

“Since Stone seems to have forgotten his manners, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Lance Cabot.”

He held out his hand and Tamlyn shook it.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tamlyn Thompson.”

“Ah, yes. Strategic Services, newest executive.”

“And you know that because…?”

“Lance is director of the CIA,” Stone said.

“He fancies himself the most informed person in any room.”

“I am the most informed person in any room.”

Rejoining them, Felicity said, “Who’s the most informed person?”

“Hello, Felicity,” Lance said.

“Lance,” she said.

“I’m so glad you could make it.”

“You did insist.”

“I did, and I appreciate your indulgence.”

Tamlyn leaned close to Stone.

“Do you know the heads of every spy organization in the world?”

Before he could say anything, a bell rang and one of the house staff announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served.”

The meal began with stuffed mushroom appetizers, followed by the main course—a choice of beef Wellington or Dover sole—both of which arrived with white asparagus imported from Germany, in a creamy wine sauce.

When the main course had been completed and the plates taken away, servers returned with slices of lemon tart drizzled in raspberry sauce.

“I feel guilty,” Tamlyn said, setting her fork down, having eaten only half her tart.

“About what?” Stone asked.

“That I can’t finish this. It might be the best lemon tart I’ve ever had.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it was,” Lance said.

“I believe it was made by one of the royal family’s pastry chefs.”

“Did you do background checks on everyone at this party?” Tamlyn asked.

“Not everyone.” Lance smiled briefly.

“But I’ve had this tart before, during a very pleasant luncheon at Buckingham Palace.”

From her place at the center of the long table, Dame Felicity rose.

“If I could have a moment of your time.”

Conversations tapered off, and everyone looked to their host.

“I’d like to thank you all for being here tonight despite your busy schedules. It means the world to me. Most of you I’ve known for longer than you or I would like to admit.”

A few people laughed.

“Others I may not have known as long, but please know I appreciate our friendships just as much. This brings me to the real reason I have asked you all here tonight.”

In the pause that followed, Dino looked at Stone, a question on his face, but Stone simply shrugged.

He was as much in the dark as Dino.

“There’s one secret I want to let you in on before you read about it in the Times tomorrow,” she said.

“I know it will come as quite a shock to some of you, but at the end of the year, my time at MI6 will come to an end.”

For a moment, silence filled the room, then several people began speaking all at once.

Felicity held up a hand to quiet everyone.

“I know you have questions. Foremost, I’m sure, is whether I’m being forced out or leaving on my own terms. Despite any speculation you might read in the press, the choice is entirely mine. In fact, the prime minister called me right before we ate to try to convince me to reconsider. I thanked him for his confidence in me but told him that my mind is made up.”

“What will you do?” someone asked.

“Are you taking a new position?” another chimed in.

“What I’ll be doing is enjoying early retirement, quietly and pleasantly,” Felicity said.

“And preferably somewhere warm. Now, I’m sure I’ve babbled on long enough, so please, let’s banish talk of retirement and return to the grand salon for drinks and music.”

The man who’d been sitting next to her, a prominent member of parliament, stood up and escorted her out of the room.

Conversations broke out among the others as they, too, got up and followed her out.

Stone, Dino, and Tamlyn rose to their feet, but Lance remained seated, his gazed fixed on the table.

“Lance? Are you coming?” Stone said.

Lance didn’t move.

“I think he’s broken,” Dino said.

“Lance?” Stone said again and touched his shoulder.

Lance blinked.

“What?”

Stone motioned at the empty chairs around them.

“Oh.” Lance stood.

“Why do I get the feeling you didn’t know about Felicity’s announcement?” Dino asked.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lance said, donning his usual self-assured expression.

He then hurried past them, out of the room without another word.

“I can’t remember if I’ve ever seen Lance caught off guard like that,” Stone said.

“Me neither,” Dino agreed.

“Did either of you know Felicity was contemplating retiring?” Tamlyn asked Stone.

Stone shook his head.

“I hadn’t a clue.”