Jenna Petersen - [Lady Spies] by Seduction Is Forever Page B

realm, be so fully seduced by a woman of the night who never even gave you her name? And how could you then fall into a sleep so deep that you never heard her leave?”
    Grant turned slowly and his mood must have been reflected on his face because Ben’s laughter abruptly ended. His brother scrambled to his feet from his position sprawled on Grant’s settee and stared at him.
    “Dear God, this is truly affecting you, isn’t it? Grant, what is it?”
    He scowled, hating himself for what he was about to confess. Hating himself for needing to confess it and obtain his brother’s advice. He’d never required that before, though Ben was more than open about providing unasked-for guidance.
    But now…everything was different. He was beginning to accept that it had been different for a year. Last night had taken that fact and slapped him in the face.
    “You asked me why I slept.” He cleared his throat. “The woman didn’t drug me. She didn’t render me unconscious. I almost wish she had. I prefer the nefarious answer to the truth.”
    Ben leaned forward. “And the truth is?”
    “Never in my life have I felt anything like what I experienced in that woman’s bed. And for the first time since—” He broke off.
    “Since Davina’s death,” his brother supplied softly.
    Grant winced. “Yes. For the first time since Davina’s death, I felt…at ease. At peace. And I slept. I don’t think I’ve slept that well in years. And all because of a lightskirt’s touch.” He shook his head. “No wonder I’m being punished by the War Department, Ben. I’m a joke.”
    “No!” His brother’s humor was gone now. “Never say that again! You are the best spy this country has. If you were changed by the death of someone you cared for, that is to be expected. No one blames you for that.”
    “I blame myself. And I couldn’t go through that again. The love is not worth the loss.” Grant shook his head to make the memories go away. “The woman stole my watch.”
    Ben froze. “Your War Department watch?”
    “I’m sure she thought it a simple bauble she could sell.”
    He cringed at the thought. Somehow he didn’t like to think of the mysterious woman as a petty thief. Or believe she’d been so unmoved by their encounter that she would rob him. But of course both those things were likely true. She was a woman of the street and had behaved accordingly, looking out for herself.
    “So what will you do?” Ben asked softly.
    Uncomfortable heat crept up Grant’s throat and colored his face. “I’m already having some investigation done into who she could be.”
    His brother’s eyebrows came up in surprise. “She really did shake you.”
    “I’ve already said the encounter was unexpectedly…moving,” Grant snapped, his tone much harsher than he had intended. He drew a long breath to calm his turbulent emotions. “But I want my damned watch back.”
    “And what about Lady Allington?” his brother pressed, retaking his seat.
    “What about her?” Grant turned away from Ben’s pointed stare.
    He would tell his brother many things that he wouldn’t trust with any other person. But he wasn’t about to tell him that during his night with the mysterious thief, he had pictured Emily over and over. That he still pictured her when he remembered that other woman’s mouth covering his. Her body rocking over him as they surrendered to a powerful desire that had flared from nowhere.
    “While you’re seeking out this other woman, will you continue to protect Lady Allington?”
    Grant moved to the window, staring out over the cold, sunlit garden.
    “Of course. Protecting her is the duty I’m sworn to uphold. I know Emily went to the hells last night. I know it was her carriage pulling away from The Blue Pony. I simply couldn’t find her. And since my sources tell me the lady was perfectly well when she went out on her calls this morning, I know she wasn’t harmed during whatever adventure she had last night.” And