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“I am not sure. I quite like the idea of staying in one place for a while.”

Tony gave him a once-over. “Well, whatever your decision, I am glad you are here to make it.” He refilled his glass.

“Can you do something for me?” Thomas asked.

“Of course, if it is within my capacity to do so.”

“Will you stand up with me the day after tomorrow at St George’s church at noon?”

“I would be honored, my friend.”

“Thank you,” he said as they embraced. “I had better get back to Elena.”

“I’ll see you out.”

Thomas jumped into a hack to make the journey back to Elena. His thoughts turned to the report. He needed to know how this business with Stafford unfolded. What had he missed? He had looked up to the man. Why would Stafford betray him and send him to his death? It was hard to swallow. If you cannot trust your spymaster, who can you trust?

When he walked in the door, his heart was like a rock in his chest and his head ached. Elena stood immediately and pulled him into her arms.

“What has happened to you? What did your amigo say to you to make you so sad?”

“I was a sacrifice; my life was something easily given up for personal gain.”

“What do you mean?” She was holding him but pushed him back so she could see his face.

“A man who I thought of as a father figure sent me on purpose to Spain so that French agents would capture me and kill me. He gave them all the information. I thought it was one of my contacts, but no. With me out of the way he had an excuse to open my death file and bring Lucinda to London. I was such a fool.”

“No. How could you have known? This man will pay for what he has done.”

“He’s dead. He would be upset indeed to know I am alive despite his efforts. I hope he is burning in hell.”

“Me too. Gilipollas.”

“If not for you, Elena, that arsehole would have gotten his way.”

“Saving you was the best thing I ever did. Perhaps my heart knew what my head did not.” She kissed him on the forehead, then his cheeks, and finally his mouth. “Who would I kiss if you were not here?”

“Carlos? Mrs. Wilcox?”

Her horrified face soon turned into laughter. “You are ridiculous. Remember, no matter what that person felt about you, it doesn’t define you. You are a fighter who is gentle, kind, and smart.” She kissed him, and he held her to him. He deepened the kiss, his tongue ravishing her mouth. He needed to lose himself in her. He lifted her in his arms and took her to bed. He needed to feel something other than betrayal.

Elena opened up her arms to him, and he settled between her legs. She reached down and stroked him until his cock was straining against his breeches. He pulled his breeches down, and she smiled as she gently moved her hand up and down. “Do you like it when I do this?”

“Yes, yes I do.”

Elena smiled. “Is there anything else I can do for you, my love?”

“God, Elena.”

“I saw my brother once with one of his lovers. She…took him in her mouth. Is that something you might like?”

How did one answer such a question? He was a gentleman, but he was also just a flesh and blood man.

“Yes,” he managed to get out.

Elena put her hot mouth around him, and his hips jerked. The pleasure seemed to spread through his blood. She took him in her mouth again a few times until he could no longer stand it. “Stop,” he begged and pushed her down onto the bed.

“Did I do it wrong?”