Seduced by a Spy by Andrea Pickens Page A

wider. “We believe we may have a way of getting to him. But the operatives will need to be masters of cunning and deception. Not to mention deadly force. Seeing as our two best agents have already shown an ability to work together, we see no reason to alter the arrangement.”
    “No reason?” repeated Orlov softly. For a moment he thought his superior might be indulging in his peculiar sense of humor. But a look at Yussapov’s face showed he was deadly serious. “I shall be happy to write you a list of reasons—in both English and Russian so there is no misunderstanding,” he replied. “Assuming, of course, that Lord Lynsley has a ream of foolscap at his disposal.”
    “For once I agree with Mr. Orlov.” Shannon was quick to second his objection. “It won’t work.”
    “Why?” asked Lynsley mildly.
    “Er…” She looked uncertain. “I…”
    “I work alone,” finished Orlov. “And that’s flat.”
    Yussapov tilted back in his chair and looked up at the painted ceiling, appearing for all the world as if the
trompe’l‘oeil
cherubs cavorting across the celestial blue were his only interest.
    Orlov muttered something in Russian that brought the legs back to earth with a thump.
    “Now, now, Alexandr, let us not be hasty,” soothed the prince.
    “Us?”
he said with poisonous politeness. “It is
my
hide that is at risk.”
    Ignoring the interplay between the other men, Lynsley turned to Shannon. “As I have said, D’Etienne is a grave threat to both England and Russia. But I would never ask you to undertake a mission against your will. If, for personal reasons, you feel that you cannot perform what is required of you, I shall of course accede to your feelings. One of the other Merlins—”
    “No, sir!”
    Orlov saw her chin rise, its angle sharp as a sword thrust.
Damn
. The marquess had skillfully maneuvered her into a position of no retreat.
    “I am ready to ride from here to Hades, if that is what is needed, sir. Alone or in whatever company you so order.” Her voice, while it carried conviction, was decidedly lacking in enthusiasm.
    “Perhaps if I explain the circumstances, it will help,” continued the marquess with the same mild manner. He might have been ordering port and cigars at White’s rather than the covert assassination of a dangerous enemy. “Angus McAllister is a scientific wizard in the art of munitions. His innovations in artillery design and ballistics could help swing the balance of power to our side in the upcoming Eastern campaign.”
    Yussapov began to drum a martial tattoo upon the tabletop.
    “However, he is not only a scientist, but also a devoted family man,” continued the marquess. “And serves as guardian to his orphaned niece and nephew—a responsibility that is dear to his heart. At our government’s urgent behest, he has reluctantly left them in the care of the children’s grandmother, an elderly widow living in a remote corner of the Highlands, in order to work with our military experts on cannon design.”
    Orlov saw Shannon flinch at the mention of the orphaned children. “You need not explain the reasons, sir,” she interrupted. “I take your word that the mission is a vital one.”
    “In this case, I believe it imperative that both of you understand the full import of what is at stake. You see, we believe D’Etienne’s next target is… but I am getting a step ahead of myself.”
    “Da,”
said Yussapov. “Let us back up and explain just what it is that we have in mind.”
    Orlov had a sinking feeling that he knew where this was going.
    “Imagine, a frail old babushka and two young children at an isolated estate.” Indulging in the Russian flair for storytelling, Yussapov was quick to warm to the subject. “Alone, save for the wolves and hawks that hunt in the surrounding hills.”
    “There are no wolves in Scotland, Yuri,” muttered Orlov.
    The prince ignored him. “An easy target for anyone, much less a trained assassin.”
    Shannon