A Spy Unmasked (Entangled Scandalous) by Tina Gabrielle

tried to counterattack, but with his short legs and arms reaching as far as possible with his pole into the pond, he had trouble maneuvering his frigate. The pole slipped from his hand. His face glistened with perspiration.
    Just then Maxwell lit his first fuse and seconds later, his miniature cannon blasted Falk’s rigging. The frigate lurched, but stayed afloat.
    “Damn you!” Falk shot a black look at Maxwell.
    I was right, Robert thought. They are hardly amicable. The knowledge could be useful.
    The crowd cheered at the first display of “drawn blood.” He watched Sophia lean over the water, her green eyes flashing in excitement, her full lips parted. A curl had come loose from her coronet and caressed the tops of her breasts above the beaded bodice. The hem of her gown was perilously close to getting wet as she enthusiastically cheered for her favorite.
    Robert noticed Delmont’s large frame shift across the pond. The viscount’s hot gaze was not focused on the sea battle, but on Sophia, and he licked his lips. She seemed blissfully unaware of his prurient interest as she continued to shout out.
    Bloody hell. Robert would have to do something about her. But what? Emotion had no part in his duties. He must act dispassionately in order to ensure the success of this mission. He had learned firsthand that emotions resulted in weakness that could easily turn deadly.
    A shot from another cannon drew Delmont’s attention back to the battle. Robert watched as Mr. Brass blew a hole the size of a shilling in Mr. Heinz’s frigate. The English ship slowly sank in the murky depths of the pond.
    The battle went on for an additional half hour. The tiny cannons were not designed to sink the frigates quickly and before it was over each remaining miniature ship had numerous holes above the water level. It was Maxwell’s last cannon blast that finally shot a big enough hole in Falk’s frigate to cause it to sink.
    “England wins!” the crowed chanted, as winning wagers were paid.
    “Back to the house for sweets and wine,” the viscountess said.
    The group followed their hosts.
    Robert pretended to follow last, but ducked behind one of the hedges. Hidden from view, he went still and listened.
    “It was luck that you won.” Falk’s voice.
    “Don’t be an ass. No one likes a sore loser,” Maxwell said smugly.
    “You’re bitter because Delmont favors me,” Falk spat, then stalked off.
    Robert waited until Maxwell huffed past before heading back to the house. Sophia was waiting for him beside the French doors. She studied him, her lips parted, petal soft and virginal pink. “The men are off drinking port in the library, and the women are in the drawing room.”
    “Then I bid you good night.”
    “Wait. What shall I do?” she asked eagerly.
    He was again reminded of her inexperience in espionage. “Exactly what Wendover advised. Talk to the women.”
    He tried to walk by her, but she grasped his arm. His nostrils flared as he breathed in her intoxicating scent.
    Her perfume reminded him of a garden of summer roses.
    It made him think of where she dabbed it…her wrists, the slender column of her throat, in between her breasts. Jesu ! It was like she was trying to test his will. Had she any idea the effect she had on him? Looking into emerald eyes, he saw unwavering spirit and innocence.
    “What about you?” she asked.
    “What about me?” His voice was harsh to his own ears.
    She sighed impatiently. “What are you going to do while I’m talking to the ladies?”
    “Don’t concern yourself.”
    “You’re not going to tell me anything, are you?”
    “I told you before, I work alone.”
    Her glorious eyes flashed in defiance. “I told you before, I don’t care.”
    “Sophia?”
    Footsteps sounded on the marble floor, and Jane came around the corner. She halted, her lips parting in surprise at seeing Sophia alone with him. “Good evening, my lord. Did you enjoy the entertainment?” she asked.
    His lips