A Spy to Call My Own: A Ravensdale World Book Page 9
He scratched his jaw and inhaled, surveying the mostly empty ship deck. A couple strolled past, leaving Owen and Vera alone. He reached for her gloved hand, feeling a twist in his chest when she didn’t withdraw. With his free hand, he tugged the chair closer to hers so that they faced one another. It would appear like an inmate yet proper moment between a husband and wife, which they were on this ship. Traveling under such a lie when Owen wanted it to be true was hell.
“What I’m about to tell you must never...” The weight of the confession pressed against him. “I work for the Home Office, Vera. I worked with your brother.”
She swallowed, her eyes narrowing in him. “A ...,” she lowered her voice to a whisper, “spy?”
He nodded, picking at the knee of his trousers. He thought this moment would feel better. He imagined being able to finally share such a large part of his life and feeling as though he were freed. Instead, he felt trapped. It was because of his work, he could never have Vera as his wife.
“When we met, I was recovering from a mission in the Philippines. That is why I was home that summer in England. And when we met…” he paused as he bit his lower lips, his gaze locked onto hers. “I’ve never been the same.”
Vera withdrew her hand, her mouth pulling into a tight line. When she finally looked to Owen, tears swam in her eyes. “I thought it meant nothing. When I first walked into your tent here, you were so dismissive.”
He reached forward, brushing the tears away with the back of his hand. “How could I ever forget you, love? Christ, I wanted...” He stopped himself from admitting he wanted to marry her just then. “Tom told me you were engaged to another last spring. I thought it best...”
“I was, but my fiancé died from the Russian flu.” She placed her free hand over his. “He was very kind, very supportive of my attending Girton. But Owen, it’s always been you,” she whispered. “Even when I was with him, I wanted you. But what choice did you give me? You left without a word.”
He stood, sweeping her up in his arms. In a few long strides, he had them in the privacy of the empty conservatory room. He kissed her nose, feathered more along her cheek, before his mouth sought hers in a hungry, desperate kiss.
When they broke for air, she smiled up at him, her eyes still teary. “All this time, I thought it was nothing—I meant nothing.”
He shook his head. All this time, she had meant everything, and he was too damn afraid to admit it to himself. She deserved the world and Owen was determined to be the man who provided her with it. He wouldn’t be far from her again.
“What’s going to happen when we get back to England, Owen?”
“I’m working that out myself, lass.” He kissed her forehead. “Come on,” he said, kicking the door open with his boot. “I plan on making good use of us traveling under the assumption we’re husband and wife.”
Epilogue
London, England
Three Months later
Polite applause erupted in the crowded auditorium. Vera gripped the pedestal, drawing in a breath as she nodded to the audience in thanks. In three months, she had toured England, delivering speeches about the Congo Free State and systemic labor enforced by King Leopold. She was organizing for local women to help the cause. The papers adored her, celebrating her survival of the shipwreck that claimed other countrymen.
Since arriving home, she had granted interviews and spoke to large crowds. Last night, she even received word that her previously declined paper on the working woman was accepted to be published in the spring edition of The Strand Magazine.
Years of fighting for recognition suddenly came to her, raising her to public fame in such a short span of time. It was happening so fast, it was overwhelming.
“Miss Attwater?”
She looked up, quickly scanning the hall for familiar faces. The bright lights made it difficult to see for sure. Besides, three months had passed without a letter. As there were no consequences of their coupling while on the ship, she hadn’t sent word either. Not that she would have known where to send it in the first place. He was good as a ghost once he got off that ship. It was best this way, wasn’t it? He had told her before they parted that he would be back, that they were far from over, but even Vera knew she hardly compared to the Crown as a mistress.
“Oh, Mrs. Ellish, how kind of you to come tonight.” She shook her professor’s hand, nodding politely as she continued the conversation.
But her attention was elsewhere. It usually was.
Except in this moment, there was good reason. Standing casually in the door at the back of the room was Owen. Well-dressed and freshly shaved, he appeared a new man, all except how his body possessed that lupine prowess. That was all too familiar. She swallowed, fighting back a smile.
She thanked her professor again, then excused herself, limping slightly as she slowly made her way through the departing crowd. He pushed off from the doorway, his stride devouring the great distance between them. It took all of her control not to throw her arms around him. Instead, she smiled, and folded her hands in front of her dress.
“Thank you for coming, Mr. MacKenna.”
He raised an eyebrow, his mouth stretched in a crooked smile. “Of course. It was very informative, Miss Attwater.” He held out a package for her. “I know it might not be proper, but I thought you might appreciate this.”
Her fingers lingered over his as she grabbed the package, her eyes meeting his. “Thank you.”
With a trembling hand, she unwrapped a corner, fighting back a laugh as she recognized the object.
“So you don’t continue to drink mine, you see,” he said in a low voice.
“Well, it’s kind of you to bring a bottle of gin, Mr. MacKenna, but I don’t think we will have the occasion to share a drink again.”
He stepped closer, his hand boldly reaching for her. “No?”
Her response fell from her lips. It was impossible to deny him. Oh, but the man was lovely.
“I returned from Spain this morning. I heard you were speaking and needed to come.”
She rubbed her forehead, nodding. Of course he had been in Spain. The Spanish were at war with America. “I’m glad to see you well.”
“We don’t have to do this, lass.” His low burr wrapped around her, providing warmth in the drafty room on a cold December night.
“Which part?”
“Marry me, Vera Attwater.”
Vera gasped, dropping the bottle of gin at her feet. It teetered on the ground, spinning in a slow circle.
“I should have asked you years ago when we first met. Maybe it was stupidity—”
“Or stubbornness,” she interjected.
He tugged her close. “Aye, I reckon that too. The point is, I’ll burn the world down to be by your side for the rest of my life. Say yes and you won’t regret it a day of your life.”
“Yes” sat heavy on her tongue as her mind warred with her heart. He could be logical and determined, but she was always going to need to understand why.
“You might as well be a fish proposing to a bird. I’ll be left behind as you travel. I’ll always wonder after you, always worry. It might be best…”
“I’ll take a new post and we’ll settle in the city so you can continue your work. We’ll figure it out. Together.”
“Together?”
He gazed down at her with those golden eyes of his, and she was breathless. He reached out, his thumb tracing her bottom lip as he nodded. “Always and a day, darling.”
She jumped, throwing her arms around his neck, not caring who noticed. “Yes,” she whispered against his ear. “I’m yours, Owen.”
And there, in the emptying lecture hall, Vera kissed a spy of her own, the love of her life. The one man who showed her that the world would lay at her feet if she found the strength to fight and live another day.
Books by Rebecca Paula
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Ravensdale Series
Etiquette with the Devil, Book 1
The Duke’s Improper Bride, Book 2
A Proper Scandal, Book 3
The Lady’s Forbidden Desire, Book 4 October 2020
Standalone Historical Romance
A Spy to Call My Own
Winter Hearts
Contemporary Romance
Sutton College Series
Between Everything and Us
Anything More Than Now
Standalone Contemporary Romance
Everly After