All masculine hardness pressed against her until she'd thought she would expire on the spot. He was cold, heartless, yet so incredibly fearless, it had taken everything in her power to keep her wits about her, especially when he stole a kiss or two.
Pathetic that her first two kisses had been with a spy.
The most notorious spy in all of London.
Infamous rakehell, Hunter, the Wolf. Though to be fair, at the time, she had laughed in his face when he'd shared his identity. It was probably for the best, for it forced the man to put distance between them.
Hours after her meeting, Montmouth had discovered her at the inn, though he knew not of Hunter's identity. Gwen had assumed Hunter to be missing. That is, until days later when they were all happily brought together at Dominique Maksylov's estate, where her sister resided.
Surprise was not the word she would have used to describe the moment. Irritating? Provoking? Yes, those were adequate words, for the first thing Hunter had uttered under his breath when he brought her hand to his lips in a greeting was, "I'll kill you and not blink, if you reveal anything."
Imagine, the nerve of the man! As if she was not currently in the same predicament! She had been working for the Crown for months without her family's knowledge! At the time of her initial dealings with the War Office, she could have walked the streets of London dressed as a footman and her mother wouldn't have batted an eye. Granted, it was later decided she was quite mad, but still.
Gwen shook the memories from her head, allowing the feel of the Wolf's kiss to dissolve into her subconscious, though she knew it would be back and she'd yet again want his hands on her, regardless of propriety or the fact that every time he opened his mouth she imagined shooting him with her pistol.
"My lady?" Mr. Wilkins cleared his throat again. "Have you been listening to anything at all? Apologies, but I've never seen you so distracted."
Distracted, hah! Overheated? Well… Gwen gave the man a tight smile. "As I've said before, I no longer wish to endanger myself or my family."
"Alright, well. Off you go."
"Pardon?" Gwen nearly tipped over from the shock. "Aren't you going to try to convince me? Offer me more money? Make me feel guilty for not protecting my country and all that?"
"No." He shook his head. "Good day to you."
"But..."
Mr. Wilkins gave an exasperated sigh. "What is it you want? Do you want me to grovel? For I will not do it. Another agent, the one who is to be your partner, will just have to go at it alone. Not that I doubt his ability to do so, but his cover has long ago been blown, making it increasingly difficult for him to do his job."
"Partner? Another agent?"
"But of course. This was to be a covert operation, my lady. After all, the Season is underway, and the exact place I need you to infiltrate is the one you were born into."
"The Season? You want me to…" Gwen searched for the correct word. "Debut?"
"In a word, yes. But that will be all. I cannot tell you too much, my dear, for you've already said no. The Wolf will no doubt find success sooner without a woman by his side—"
"—I accept!" Gwen shouted.
"What of your family? Hmm? Their safety? Your own personal morals and ethics and…"
Gwen rolled her eyes. She couldn't very well curse her family to perdition, not when she was already certain the Wolf would be there. Truly it would be an unkindness to her flesh and blood. Though at this moment, all she cared about was proving to the man that she was his equal as a spy, in every way. "I care for my family a great deal," she said demurely. "However, I am finding the idea that any sort of danger could befall them during the Season appalling, and for that reason, and that alone, I will accept this mission." Well, that reason and the interesting fact that she would be working alongside the man who haunted her dreams every night.
Perhaps she could strangle him in person now that he would be making an appearance.
"Brilliant." Mr. Wilkins grinned. "I'll send word to him posthaste. I just need to iron out a few details with the man. I hope you realize, my lady, that you will be entirely on your own in this operation. The Wolf will be there if you need him, he will provide protection and work as a distraction, but you will be the one to do the dirty work. Do you understand what I am saying?" At Gwen's silence, he continued, "There are some things a woman may do to persuade a man and gain information of a certain type… now do you understand?"
Only too well. For hadn't she done the exact same thing with Napoleon's elite? Only she had been the distraction as the man salivated over her, touched her, and made her feel like a whore. At least now she would have someone to look after her — that is, if the Wolf could keep his paws to himself.
Gwen gave Wilkins a tight smile. "But of course I understand. Good day." He gave her a quick nod, and she walked to the door, her heart pounding, for she finally realized what she had just agreed to.
A debut into society, with none other than the Wolf as her partner. She only hoped she could finish the Season with her wits still intact, and if not that, at least her virginity.
****
It's easier to believe you're a failure. So much easier than trying to wrap your mind around the simple truth or perhaps the idea that you are so much more than you choose to be.
Growling, Hunter stared down at the papers and sighed. Nine years. It had been nine blasted years since he saw her face, felt her lifeless body in his arms, and not a night went by that he didn't feel the stab of regret slam into his chest.
He should have been on time.
Because when a person has regrets they always go through every other possibility, every outcome, every situation, tossing and turning the puzzle around, trying to make sense of the awful situations that befall them. And Hunter had come to one conclusion, and one conclusion only.
The love of his life, his sun, his moon, his morning star, lost the light in her eyes because he was not but a few minutes late.
Which is why, as he crossed the street into Mayfair that dreary afternoon in London, he felt the need to be early. So early, in fact, that he was able to see the flash of ebony hair as it left the exact place he was to be meeting with Wilkins.
Blast, now he was even seeing Gwen in broad daylight, forget his dreams. The woman was an absolute terror on his peace of mind, and to think, he had only known her for such a short period. To spend more time in her company would be inviting madness right into his life.
And he'd had enough of madness, thank you very much.