door opened to their instructors, all dressed in the pink of fashion. Olivia should not have been surprised to find the spymaster outshining his instructors in dress. He wore well-made buckskin trousers tucked into gleaming Hessians and a blue coat obviously made by the finest of London tailors. A handsome light blue vest was buttoned over an excellent white shirt, his neatly tied neckpiece completing the costume.
He lost no time in mingling with the trainees. In a warm voice, he said, “Congratulations to you all. I received nothing but glowing reports on your progress at our staff meeting yesterday. You do us proud. I trust your second week will be just as rewarding.” He looked around him. “But where are the twins?”
“Here, sir,” they answered in unison. They were dressed in matching apparel down to their boots.
“Who, may I ask, is whom, gentlemen?”
“Ah, that’s for you to guess, sir. We know who we are, but do you? We challenge all of you. Can anyone tell us apart?”
Much delight was taken in trying to guess, a sport in which the trainees and their instructors ventured varied opinions. But Olivia did not participate. Instead, she hung back and observed the merriment, her hand stroking her chin.
“What is your guess, my dear?” Mrs. Hunnicut asked her at last.
She looked around the room. “I needn’t guess. I’ve always been able to tell these two rascals apart, no matter how hard they try to swindle me.”
“How clever you are, Fairchild. Do tell. I can’t wait to hear,” challenged John Carter, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Olivia tilted her head at him and smiled. “I warn you, Carter. You’ll owe me an apology for your challenge.” She walked up to the twins, took each by a hand and searched their grinning faces. “You devils! Your dimple is much deeper when you smile, William. And you, Robert, curl your lip when you frown.”
“Right you are. Good show, Fairchild!” said Robert. “Apologize, Carter. You owe it to her.”
Carter turned his attention to the sideboard and filled his plate. He looked up at the others and said, “Apologize? For what? Fairchild merely ventured a wild guess and happened to hit the mark. I knew the difference between you two all the time.”
Olivia’s self-appointed champion, a very red-faced Riggs, confronted him. “That’s unkind in you, Carter. Apologize to the lady, or I’ll land you a…”
The room went silent until Hawes spoke up. “No challenges here, Riggs. Save it for the boxing ring.”
“With pleasure, sir!” said Riggs, uncurling his balled fists.
“As you wish, but I’m handy with the gloves,” added Carter in a bored tone.
Hawes narrowed his eyes. “Which do you prefer, then? Boxing or wrestling?”
“Boxing,” said Carter.
“Wrestling,” said Riggs at the same time.
“A coin toss, then. In class on Monday, gentlemen.”
When the two combatants continued to glare at one another, Sebastian intervened. “That’s enough, you two. On Saturdays we behave like ladies and gentlemen. This is meant as an essential part of your training.”
The instructors rose to the occasion by attaching themselves to one or the other of the trainees and engaging them in animated conversation.
Mrs. Hunnicut was left to engage Carter in conversation, for no one else approached him to sooth his arrogant feathers. She drew him to a quiet corner of the drawing room. “Tell me, Carter. Where were you raised? Have you family? How do you take your tea?”
Sebastian offered Olivia his arm. “I fancy a stroll in our garden, Fairchild. Care to join me?”
Shocked at this pleasantry, she placed her hand on his arm. When he covered it with one of his hands, his touch sent a quiver of excitement through her. She drew in her breath and said, “Yes, sir. I would like that.” He led her outdoors and down the two steps into the garden where summer flower buds were already a riot of color lining the pathway.
“Don’t look so down in the mouth, Fairchild. I don’t consider you at fault for the unpardonable behavior shown by Carter and Riggs.”
“Kind of you to say so, sir. I was afraid you’d think otherwise.”
“Shall we sit here?” He pointed to a bench and led her to it. “I owe you an apology.”
She looked up at him in surprise. “An apology, sir? For what?”
“For my unpardonable behavior on your first day.”
“Thank you for that, sir. May I ask what made you change your mind?”
“I received glowing reports about your progress from my staff. I only hope…”
His final words made her wary. What was he getting at? “What is it you hope, sir?”
“Let me be frank, Fairchild. I hope that my instructors aren’t easier with you than with the other trainees because you are a mere woman.”
His remark took her warm feelings away and replaced them with indignation. When she could trust herself to speak, she asked, “Have you reason to think they have been too easy with me?”
“You complained of breaking some of your fingernails, didn’t you?”
She forced a laugh, but her eyes betrayed her anger. “To shreds. Not some. All ten of them. My remark was directed to Mrs. Hunnicut when she asked if I needed her to pare them.”
Bloody hell! I’ve put my foot in my mouth. He threw his hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry. No need to chastise me.”
“It appears you have little faith in your instructors’ opinions. Or in me.”
“I’ve made you angry, I see. I beg your pardon. Can you forgive me?”
“Of course, sir.” She rose and curtseyed. “How kind of you to favor me with your attentions this afternoon. Will you excuse me?” She turned toward the terrace and hurried away.
Sebastian watched her depart. Damn! I made a mess of it. Just when I was making progress with her, too. He shifted uncomfortably on the bench. He was hard and it showed. He didn’t know whether he wanted to kill her for the way she made him feel, or kiss her senseless for the very same reason.
After chapel on Sunday morning, the trainees were free to rest and to study. It rained all day, destroying all thought of outdoor pursuits. Having had enough of the company of her fellow trainees, Olivia took advantage of Mrs. Hunnicut’s offer to make use of her sitting room. She brought her study manuals from her room down the hall, and settled into one of the comfortable chairs in front of the fireplace. She was seated opposite her hostess, who was busy with her needlepoint.
“How peaceful it is here, ma’am. You are very kind to allow me to intrude on you in this way.”
“Nonsense, Fairchild. I enjoy your company.”
