Page 36 of The Truth Serum (My Lady’s Potions #2)

N ate heard the gasp and was out of bed in a second, already reaching for the knife that was always strapped to his thigh. His pants had a special flap to allow him to draw it quickly and now was no exception.

He stood at the ready, knife drawn and Becca at his back before he remembered where he was, who he was with…and that he was looking at Ras’s maid—what was her name?—and Kynthea, standing behind her.

Both women’s eyes were wide, and a tray of morning chocolate trembled in the girl’s hands.

“Ah, good morning,” Becca said behind him. “Is that chocolate? We never have it in the country. Lord Nathaniel, do put a shirt on. Trousers are not enough.”

He turned to look at her, stunned by the calm he heard in her voice. If it weren’t for the bright pink of her cheeks, he would think being woken with a man in her bed was an everyday occurrence for her.

“Um, of course.” Sometime in the night, he had stripped off his shirt, but the bandages remained tight around his ribs. It was the work of a moment to pull on his shirt. And also sheathe his blade.

Meanwhile, Kynthea took over, gesturing to a side table. “Set the chocolate right there, Dorothy. Thank you. Lord Nathaniel, would you like a cup? Dorothy can go for another glass while we all talk.”

There was a note of steel in her voice that matched the hardness in her eyes. She might have spent last night in Ras’s bed—he knew that for a fact—but they were engaged. Right now, Kynthea was being protective of Becca’s reputation, and he appreciated that.

“Oh my,” Becca interrupted as she grabbed the counterpane and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Dorothy, is it?”

The girl curtsied after she set down the tray. “Yes, milady.”

“Lord Nathaniel needed some help with his bandages last night. And then we got to talking and well…” She shrugged.

“I’m afraid I fell asleep.” Her gaze steadied.

“Are you interested in advancing in your position? I need a lady’s maid in London.

Missy, my regular maid, misses Cornwall so much. Would you be interested?”

The girl’s eyes widened and no wonder. Becca was handling the situation like a seasoned conspirator. The girl had seen something best kept secret, and so Becca was giving her something she wanted in return for loyalty.

Well done.

“You understand,” continued Becca, “my brother’s staff is rather, um, nosy regarding my life. I should like an ally in that house. And I can pay handsomely for your help with that.”

“Oh milady, I should like that very much.”

“Excellent! Assuming, of course, the duke doesn’t mind.”

“He won’t mind,” Kynthea said. “But I should still like to discuss—”

Nate took a breath, deciding to get the most significant information out there. “Nothing happened, Kynthea. We talked most of the night through. That’s all.”

That was a lie. An obvious one, given how little Becca was wearing. At least she’d pulled on her shift during the night. But they had definitely done some things.

Still, Kynthea seemed to accept it. What other choice did she have?

Her brow arched. “I suggest you go get dressed, Lord Nathaniel. I’d like to have a nice chat with Becca alone, and then we’ll talk altogether downstairs.”

He nodded but didn’t leave just yet. Instead, he turned to Becca. “You know I’ve wanted to marry you since I was seventeen. That hasn’t changed.”

“And now,” interrupted Kynthea, “she will have a private moment to consider your proposal.”

He had no choice but to leave. He bowed as formally as one could when in shirtsleeves and left for his bedroom.

He tried to focus on the mundane tasks of the morning.

Washing, cleaning, changing without aggravating his ribs or his feet.

But his mind would not focus on that. Nor could he ponder how he was going to manage getting Baron Courbis an invitation to Lord and lady Penrose’s ball.

Especially if word got out that he had just compromised Becca.

Hopefully the ladies had that well in hand, but there were so many other logistics to manage. But all he could think about was his night with Becca. The sexual exploration had been wonderful, but he kept returning to the things she had said, the secrets she had revealed.

She was more than marginally acquainted with medical matters.

The woman had as great an education as many doctors he knew.

For ten years, she had been tending the sick in Cornwall alongside the witchwoman and any visiting surgeon.

She’d helped birth cows and sheep, not to mention a few horses.

She’d stitched up cuts and set broken bones.

All while tending to her family and not accepting any of the suitors that had come to court. That was the most fascinating aspect of her story. There had been suitors. People Fletcher or Henry had brought home specifically to interest her.

She’d rebuffed them all. Her exact words were, “I was content with what I was learning. They only wanted to give me more work. I was to manage their houses, tend to their needs, and bear their children. Not a one seemed interested in me except at the most superficial level. And so I sent them on their way.”

What strength of character! He knew no young woman who was so assured in her interests that she would refuse the life of leisure that could be had as the wife of a nobleman, even a selfish one.

Or perhaps, Becca was just a good judge of character. He knew all the men who had come courting, by reputation if not personally. None were worth a penny to her.

And so he had said. And so she had rewarded him with a kiss. Which led to more. Which led to an extra delight.

But now it was morning, and he needed to know if she regretted what they had done. More important, did she classify him with all the other men who had come calling? Was he simply adding to her plate without giving her anything in return?

After all, he’d asked for her help in distracting the baron while he ended a traitorous gun-running scheme.

That was work with little reward beyond a thanks from himself and Lord Benedict.

He didn’t count his promise of getting her access to her dowry.

That wouldn’t be too hard, he suspected.

She’d told him last night that Henry had always acted as her protector, as long as something was brought to his attention.

So he doubted Henry would be an obstacle.

It was the bankers who would cut up stiff.

Ladies weren’t allowed to manage their own accounts, but there were workarounds if one knew where to apply pressure.

In any event, he couldn’t progress with any of his questions while alone in his bedroom. He dressed with as much speed as possible and headed down to breakfast to find Ras already there, perusing his correspondence.

The look he threw Nate was disapproving, which was rich considering what the duke had been doing with Kynthea last night.

The difference, of course, was that Ras and Kynthea were engaged.

In fact, it looked like the mail that day was filled with bills for their upcoming wedding.

There were no such promises between himself and Becca.

Indeed, there had been a great many refusals.

“Don’t judge me,” Nate grumbled as he took his seat. “She is still pure.”

“Pure has many levels, as you well know.”

He did.

Ras shot him a look. “If you did it to force her hand—”

“I didn’t!” The very idea was insulting.

“I won’t force her,” Ras continued. “She is under my roof and therefore my protection. I will not force her where she does not choose.”

Nate was getting very tired of defending his intentions. “I want her to choose me,” he said firmly. “I always have.”

“But you are not above influencing the decision.” The way he said “influencing” implied a great many salacious things.

Nate shot him a glare. “You don’t know me as well as you think.”

Ras’s brows shot up. “That was exactly what I was thinking yesterday. And last night. And this morning.”

Hurt sliced through him even though it was deserved. Ras and Becca were his closest friends. The way they constantly questioned him and his motives cut deeply.

He knew that was the life of a spy. Indeed, Lord Benedict had often warned him of such. But now he felt the ache of it as he never had before. Now he wanted true friendship and real love.

But that required honestly, and he was the one who had broken that trust, not them.

“Lord Benedict made me an offer,” he abruptly said. “A diplomatic post.”

Ras looked up, his gaze alight with surprise and hope. Then behind him, he heard Becca gasp as well. He knew the sound of even that small noise.

She came into the room wearing one of Kynthea’s gowns, though it was tight on her in several delightful places. And, it appeared a bit too long.

He didn’t care. She looked beautiful to him. He rose, as did Ras. And he moved to take her hand, completely ignoring where Kynthea stood. Let Ras take care of his fiancée. Nate would speak with Becca.

“How are you this morning?”

“Resolved,” she said.

That was an ominous answer.

“To what?”

She glanced significantly around the room, her gaze lingering on Ras’s butler who stood discreetly in the corner. Then she shrugged.

“To entertaining Baron Courbis’s suit.”

She was playing the part he’d assigned her. She was pretending in front of the servants as all good spies did. Even friendly servants. And yet, her words still cut deep into his gut. He didn’t want her near that bastard, much less dangling herself in front of him.

“Maybe you shouldn’t—”

“Your Grace,” Becca interrupted as she turned to Ras. “Dorothy—one of your maids—has graciously accepted an offer to become my maid. I hope you don’t mind.”

Ras was holding Kynthea’s seat out for her. He looked up and shook his head. “No, no. I’m happy for her. There isn’t much room for advancement here. I’m pleased she can be promoted, and I hope she serves you well.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Good God, please call me Ras.” Then he looked to his fiancée. “How did your chocolate discussion go? Did you resolve everything?”

Kynthea nodded. “I’m very pleased to say that Lady Rebecca has agreed to be a bridesmaid for me. We will go to the modiste together this afternoon.”

“Excellent!” Ras said, his expression equally bright. And as Nate watched, Becca too smiled warmly.

“I’m pleased,” he said softly. “I glad you two are good friends.” Indeed, if she tossed him aside tomorrow—or more likely today—then he would still be reassured that she had trustworthy people in her life.

She smiled at him, her expression reassuring. He saw no hatred or distrust there. Only the same sweet look of affection he’d seen last night when they’d talked.

“What do you plan for today?” she asked.

So many things. None of which could be detailed to her now. “I must speak with Lord and Lady Penrose,” he said. He had to get the baron an invitation to their ball or none of this would work. Then Lord Benedict. Then some of the watermen he knew who would help him watch the docks. And… and…

The list of things he had to do was daunting. And that didn’t even include what he’d promised to his publisher.

She must have seen the anxiety on his face because her expression grew gentle.

“Poor Nate,” she said without irony. “I just have to go shopping with Kynthea.”

“And establish Dorothy in your household,” he reminded her. He would need to have a word with Dorothy, making sure the maid understood that she stood to gain a great deal by being protective of Becca, and ensuring that she would get a message to him if either of them were in any danger.

“Did you know that Dorothy has older brothers?” he quipped. “Grew up learning how to fight from them.”

Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise, and it took him a moment to realize what he had revealed. He was friendly with Dorothy, enough to know her particulars. And that was rare for a man in another man’s household.

“How the devil do you know that?” Ras asked.

“I’ve been living here for a while. How did you not know?”

“I—” Ras frowned. He was a duke. It wasn’t typical for him to know the details of his female staff unless something nefarious was going on. “I leave that to my butler.”

Nate nodded. “We chatted when she was setting the fire in my room.” Then he glanced at Becca, seeing her study him closely. “Becca—” he began, but she cut him off.

“Lord Nathaniel has never stood on ceremony.”

Which was a nice way of saying Nate talked with everyone. A charitable man would say that he was approachable. Lord Benedict said that made him the perfect spy. He was not aloof, and servants knew everything.

“Does that bother you?” Nate asked. He knew that it was a lot harder for her to make friends. She’d always been shy.

“No,” she said. “I admire that.”

Good. But as he watched her, doubt kept creeping into his thoughts. Was she really as comfortable as she seemed? Was she saying that just to appease him? He’d learned last night how capable she was at telling Fletcher exactly what he wanted to hear while secretly doing exactly as she wished.

Which put Nate in the unaccustomed position of wondering what she was thinking. He’d built an entire career on his ability to read other people. And if that failed, he usually had access to their servants. Separate ways of learning whatever needed to be known.

And yet, with Becca, he didn’t know if she was appeasing him or meant what she said.

“Becca—” he began again but was forestalled as she turned to Kynthea.

“Now, I must know everything you plan for your wedding. I’ve never gotten to attend a society wedding. Is it as overwhelming as it seems? Or do you have everything in hand?”

“I have absolutely nothing in hand,” Kynthea laughed. “And I would welcome your assistance.”

And so the conversation went for the rest of the meal. And given everything the women had planned, he would get no more time with Becca this day. Just as well, he thought with a sigh. He had things to do too.

But soon, he would put his heart on the line with her. As soon as everything else was resolved, he would get her to say “yes” to their marriage. Or he would kiss her goodbye before he disappeared back into the war.