The Wolf's Pursuit (London Fairy Tales #3)(10)

"And if the phrase is not exchanged?"

"Each man goes on his way, a sure indicator that a code does not need to be delivered. The process is flawless."

Hunter thought about this for a moment. "So one of these men is a traitor."

"A dangerous traitor, Haverstone. We've followed each of them for weeks and come up with nothing." Wilkins looked down. "The war is not yet over. Wellington is forcing Napoleon's Imperial forces to retreat, but the emperor remains dangerous and if he defeats Wellington, the war could drag on for another decade. France cannot afford to lose and we cannot afford to let them win. We need our people to be behind us, to believe us. If not, our fate will be the same as theirs. We both know what happens to single-minded people when they lose their leaders. They become like sheep, and are easily led astray. We are at a critical moment in our country's history. You will enter into society with Red and eliminate the moles if necessary."

"And our only suspects are Trehmont, Redding, and Hollins?"

"All of those gentleman are of high priority, but their help in the War Office has been outstanding. Part of your mission will be dependent on entering into these men's lives without appearing too obvious."

Hunter cursed. "Is that all, then?"

Wilkins coughed and looked away. "There is one more person we are investigating; however, it is much more..." Wilkins paused. "Delicate. We need to be sure he or she is not able to communicate any more with Napoleon's elite."

"He or she?" Confused, Hunter leaned his full weight on his legs as he pushed forward out of his chair, closer to Wilkins.

"Your partner, Red. Though it was not our fault that she was with Napoleon as long as she was, she suffered tremendously under the pressure of the assignment. Although we have no reason to believe she changed sides, we are concerned that she may be tempted to. Too long on the field and all that."

Gwen? Surely not! Hunter laughed aloud. "A woman?"

"It is no laughing matter."

"A woman?" he repeated, and shook his head. What was the world coming to? A woman was not intelligent enough to pull something like this off. Yet his heart clenched at the thought. For he used to know a woman who was more intelligent than the ton combined, but she was no longer breathing. Her smile was gone as was her soul.

His heart twisted painfully in his chest.

"I refuse to believe it."

"Be that as it may. We need you to help stage a debut. We believe if we set her up in society that the chips may fall precisely as we like. Not only will she be the center of attention given her certain reputation, but the men who you are investigating are all single and in need of wives. It has been blatantly suggested that they begin their search. Gwen is very capable of making a man want her."

Everything suddenly made sense to Hunter as he looked into his old friend's tired eyes. "And if she is not truly a traitor?"

"Then she is the perfect bait for who is. Not only will she be serving her country in picking out the mole, but she will draw him out," Wilkins finished.

Hunter couldn't remember a time he'd felt the need to be loyal. Dominique had been his only friend, and now that he was married, Hunter felt quite like a fish on land, flopping around without proper hydration. Gwen, however, spoke to him in ways he'd thought long dead. Ways that quite honestly scared the devil out of him.

If she was a traitor, she needed to be brought to justice. Even if it made him sick to think of it.

And if she was innocent…

"When shall I begin?"

"Tonight. There is to be a special party hosted by Montmouth. Red, or as you know her, Lady Gwendolyn, will be making her debut this evening. It will be up to you to…" Wilkins looked to the ceiling and shook his head before meeting Hunter's gaze yet again. "It will be up to you to pay special attention to her. It is imperative that it look genuine."

If his lust was any more genuine, the girl would end up with her skirts tossed to the sky in but a few hours. "Am I to understand that you need me to flirt shamelessly with the woman?"

Wilkins shook his head. "I need you to make her desirable and in true rakish fashion, set yourself up as the name whispered upon young ladies' lips. It will distract the gentlemen from pursuing the other ladies, leaving them to pursue Red."

"My, my." Hunter laughed bitterly. "Is that all?"

"No." Wilkins rose from his seat. "If you have reason to believe she is dangerous, I need you to eliminate her from the equation."

"Eliminate her," Hunter repeated, sick to his stomach as he remembered Gwen's saucy smile.

"Kill her, Hunter." Wilkins never used Hunter's Christian name. It made the situation too personal, too real. "Eliminate your target. After all, you are an assassin and the best spy the Crown has. It is what you do, is it not?"

Hunter regained his composure and gave a stiff nod. "It is what I do best."

"Then we will meet again in a few weeks. My thanks." Wilkins held out his hand and shook Hunter's firmly. "Do say hello to your grandfather for me. Shame that he can no longer speak, for I fear he would be able to shed light on this situation for us."

Hunter paused with a grimace. The subject of his grandfather was not something he desired to pursue, even if his grandfather by marriage had been one of the best spies the country had ever seen. Not to mention one of the premier men next to Scovell, who worked with the codes.