My Lady, My Spy (Secrets and Seduction Book 4) by Sheridan Jeane Page B

never seen a more stubborn, independent cat.” She lowered the tray’s short legs and set it so it balanced above Josephine’s lap.
    “That may be true, but I don’t think she’d stand on principle with her favorite treat hanging in the balance.” Josephine picked up the small metal egg-shaped tea strainer and slipped it into her pot of hot water to let it steep.
    “Shall I lay out your clothes for the day?”
    Josephine placed a slice of the smoked salmon on a triangle of toast. “I want the gown with the white trim at the neckline,” she said, and bit into the wedge with a satisfying crunch.
    Taylor pulled a celadon-blue gown with snowy-white trim from the wardrobe and examined it as Josephine took a bite of her egg.
    Josephine stared at the gown. Once she’d set aside her widow’s weeds a year ago, she’d chosen a new wardrobe, and on a whim, she’d had every gown made in celadon blue. A reminder of happier times. Of dreams for the future.
    “It needs pressing,” Taylor said. “I’ll bring it back shortly, m’lady.”
    Josephine nodded, her mouth full. She waved Taylor away as she swallowed her second triangle of smoked salmon and toast.
    As Taylor opened the door, a white streak tore through it.
    “Oh, no. Domino!”
    “Don’t worry about it. I’ve nearly finished eating my salmon.”
    Domino jumped onto the bed, stalking the fishy scent. She paused only briefly to glance at Josephine before continuing on.
    “Who’s my good girl?” Josephine crooned. She put a sliver of smoked salmon on her fingertip and held it out for the cat. Domino delicately accepted it and then dropped to the floor to eat it.
    “You spoil that cat.”
    “Fiddlesticks. She isn’t spoiled. She always asks for permission before she takes anything. Didn’t you see the way she looked at me first?”
    Taylor snorted. “She just wanted to make sure you wouldn’t swat her away.”
    Domino jumped back onto the bed, ready for more fish. As Taylor left the room, she shook her head and clucked her tongue.
    Josephine wondered if she’d make a terrible mother. Too lenient. But her own parents had been kind and supportive, and she’d turned out well.
    Of course, to be properly done, motherhood required a husband. Unfortunately, she was decidedly lacking in one.
    The late Lord Harrington had died two years before in a hunting accident. She suspected alcohol had played a part in the mishap. John's compatriots from the outing had volunteered little information, but she could spot a fabricated story easily enough. Their combination of bare facts along with identical bits of description betrayed their complicity. They'd clearly rehearsed their story.
    Her marriage to John had been no love match. She’d known him too short a time to develop strong feelings. Mother had said they’d come with time. Perhaps they would have. She’d tried to care for him, really she had, but she’d only managed to cultivate a mild affection for him.
    It shamed her that she’d recovered so easily from losing him. She’d wanted more from their marriage. She’d always dreamed of an epic love. What girl didn’t? But all they’d ultimately shared had been something tepid and unsatisfying.
    She set aside her breakfast tray and climbed out of bed. Domino jumped onto the side table to examine the remains of the meal, sniffing in disappointment when she didn’t find any more smoked salmon.
    As if drawn forward by a string, Josephine crossed the room toward her little curio cabinet. It contained a number of oddments she’d collected over the years. She’d intended to add many more interesting items during her travels. She’d planned to visit Egypt, Greece, Istanbul, Rome... so many, many places. She loved learning about ancient cultures. Studying the remains of civilizations. Visiting ancient cities— their monuments and tombs— had been her dream since childhood, but those dreams had never materialized. Marriage had put an end to them.
    She stared now