Every Time We Kiss

reeted the guests at their wedding party. Finally, he had finished this mission.

“Thank you for coming, Somerton,” Lady Blackburn said with a gracious smile.

“You are very welcome. How could I not attend and make certain this scoundrel actually went through with his vows?” Anthony smirked at Blackburn.

Blackburn smiled at his new bride. “There was no chance I would back out, Somerton.”

“So I see.” He was genuinely happy for them. But, seeing the one woman he came to this breakfast for, he excused himself.

After reaching Sophie, he said to her, “We need to talk.”

“Not now, Somerton.”

“Now,” he said roughly. He clasped her elbow and led them to a quiet corner.

She rolled her eyes at him. “This is their day. Come to my house tomorrow.”

“No. We will discuss this now.”

“There is nothing to discuss,” she replied in a hushed tone.

Anthony leaned in closer to her and whispered harshly, “I have helped you twice now. First Selby and Avis, now Jennette and Blackburn. You owe me.”

Sophie tilted her head back and laughed softly. “I owe you nothing, Anthony. How many times have I assisted you when you needed to find someone for that position you don’t have with the Home Office?”

“All I want is her name.”

“Not yet,” she answered coyly. “I have one more friend who needs our help.”

“I am not a damned matchmaker,” he retorted as the strangling anger circled him.

“Of course, you aren’t. I am.” She patted his arm with her fan. “You are just my assistant.”

“I want her name.”

“No.”

“I want to strangle you,” he whispered.

“I know. But you won’t because you want that woman’s name and you know that there is no one else who can help you find her.” Sophie smiled in such a sweet manner that everyone watching would think they were friends.

“But not until I help you…again.”

“Exactly. Now turn around because Selby is about to toast the happy couple. And they are only happy because we helped them, whether they know it or not.”

“I really want to kill you,” Anthony said.

“I know. Now do be quiet.”

Selby cleared his throat and lifted his glass of champagne into the air. “I truly never expected this day to come. My little sister has finally found a man to love her. I wish them both all the love in the world. May they be as happy fifty years from now as they are right now.”

As Jennette watched the guests slowly leave the wedding breakfast, her heart could barely contain all the love she felt. Their first public appearance since they left the ship a week ago had gone quite well. Only a few people had declined the invitation and for all she knew they had other plans that couldn’t be broken. She wished Nicholas were there, but his daughter had been struck ill and he had to be with her.

To her amazement, Matthew had been correct so far. No one believed Vanessa. They all still assumed Matthew had killed John. And Matthew never let anyone think otherwise. Slowly, people were beginning to believe the story that they had fallen in love while she helped him find a bride.

While a part of her wished she could clear that assumption and his name, she knew he would never allow it. He needed to protect her. And she now realized he needed that to forgive himself for letting her take his sword that day.

They said their farewells to her mother, Avis, and Banning. Jennette walked with her new husband toward the carriage she’d bought him as a wedding gift. The Blackburn crest emblazoned the black door. A footman opened the door for them.