“The thing I have always admired about you, Lambert, is in spite of your title and upbringing among those who patter around an issue, you always get directly to the point.”
“I shall take that as a compliment, sir.”
“As it was intended.” Cullum, on the other hand, liked to play games. He enjoyed making the people under his command figure things out for themselves.
Dorian had still not decided if this was an effective tool or some kind of sick torture.
“The lady is going to venture out on her own.”
“Is she?” His gut clenched. Was she leaving The Company and where would she go?
“She won’t be able to leave the matter of Shafton’s overreaction alone. She’ll want answers.”
“She’s going to disobey your order to stay here until you find her a suitable partner?”
“I would bet my life on it.” Cullum casually inspected his fingernails. Curious that a hunter’s disobedience should not cause him distress.
“You want me to stop her.”
He loosed a short burst of amusement. “I’m not sure you could, though I should like to see that match.”
Dorian didn’t know whether to be amused or offended. “I’m not without skills, sir.”
“True, but we shall not test them against another hunter. Those skills are better served fighting the enemy. There will be plenty of demons to destroy before this is over, and perhaps your skills are wasted in The Company office.”
“Are you displeased with my work?”
“No. You are an excellent strategist and assistant. I have no complaints.”
Curiosity wiggled inside Dorian. “My orders, sir?”
“Follow her. If she discovers something of interest, bring the information to me. Perhaps keep her out of trouble, though I may be asking too tall an order, even for you.”
He had never seen Lillian in battle, but he had read the reports. Subduing her was not likely within his capabilities and following her—“She’s a hunter. She’ll know within a few miles that she’s being tracked.”
“Then you had better introduce yourself before one of those interesting blades of hers finds its way to your throat.”
“Why not just order her to accept me as her partner and assign her to a fact finding mission?”
“I could do that, but I do not wish to push her away from her instincts. They are flawless. Also, I’m not ready to completely release you from your duties as my assistant.”
“You are worried about my loyalties, sir?”
“Not to the cause. Never that. It will be for the best at this time if you continue to work for me directly as opposed to becoming Lillian Dellacourt’s hunting partner.”
“As you wish. Will that be all, sir?” Dorian stood.
“Yes. You likely have some packing to do. I imagine she will be leaving before first light.”
“Is there anything else I should know?”
“No. I trust you will do what is necessary for the betterment of The Company and England.”
“Of course, sir.” Dorian walked out of the study and rushed up the steps to his chamber. He had much to do, and he needed to speak to his brother before he left the castle.
Chapter 2
Near dawn, Dorian followed Lillian from Castle Brendaligh. Fearlessly, she drove the team of two fine black horses as if the devil were on their heels, and better than most men. A slower phaeton might be more appropriate for a lady. A woman travelling alone was enough to raise eyebrows. Why hadn’t she disguised herself as a man?
Her vehicle was generally a man’s conveyance.
Ten miles into the journey, she pulled her carriage to the side of a deserted road.
Still as a statue, Dorian hid in a thick tree line.
Lillian walked behind her carriage, raised her arms above her head, and interlaced her fingers. Her breasts pushed forward and her waist narrowed.
He fidgeted in the saddle, brushing away the ridiculous notion she could disguise her curves. No one would ever believe she was a man, no matter how good her disguise.
“How long do you intend to follow before you state your business, Mr. Lambert?”
Dorian maneuvered his horse out of the shadows and onto the road. He brushed aside the wave of guilt. He had his orders. The fact that he enjoyed the view was irrelevant. He jumped to the ground and bowed.
Her pale green pelisse set off the shimmer in her red hair. When she leaned over, the swell of her breasts went on display.
No sense denying his attraction to her. Knowing her better would not be a hardship. “I suppose now is a good time to announce myself, Miss Dellacourt.”
“Your presence has been known almost since the start of the journey. I assume Cullum has ordered you to stop me?” She lifted the end of her skirt, revealing a high boot more suited to riding a horse than having two pull her carriage.
The revelation of her slender leg, even covered by fine leather, diverted him from her question until a long thin blade appeared from inside her footwear, and Lillian’s intense stare drew his gaze up.
“Do you intend to kill me, Miss Dellacourt?”
She took a deep breath, which lifted her full breasts in the most befuddling way. “I would prefer not to. I loathe killing humans.”
“Yet you do not rule out the possibility.” She really was magnificent.
“I have someplace to go, and I will not be stopped by you or Drake Cullum.”
“I’m not instructed to stop you, madam. I have only been ordered to follow and see what it is you find.”
“And if I find something? What are your orders, Mr. Lambert?” She spun the knife along her fingers so fast the blade blurred.
A pity she didn’t tuck away the knife. He longed for a second glimpse at those legs. “He has ordered me to make certain any important information reaches him first. I think you underestimate Drake Cullum as well as how much you are esteemed within The Company, Miss Dellacourt.”
She continued to spin the blade as if the motion was absentminded. Another person might tap her fingers or fidget. “I’m not going to be hindered by you.”
“I would not think of it.”
“Do you intend to assist me?” Her head cocked one way and her hip the other, a most charming pose.
He
