The Raider (Montgomery/Taggert 9)

Jess held the paper in her hand, concealing it in the folds of her dress. She didn’t remember having seen this man before, but he seemed to be convinced she desired him. Jess bit her tongue on a sharp comment about the vanity of men and, instead, smiled at him.

“I was on the way to the necessary and saw this window was open. It looked like it might rain, so I came in here to close the window.”

The lieutenant was across the room in seconds. “We need have no secrets between us. You have wanted me for a long time. I’ve seen the way you look at me when we meet on the street. I’ve seen the longing in your eyes. You must hunger for a man after being married to that weakling husband of yours.”

Jessica moved away from him, backing around the desk, the lieutenant getting closer by the second.

“Tell me where I can meet you.”

Jess’s hand fumbled for and found a letter opener on the desk. She wasn’t going to let this man touch her.

“I will make you the happiest woman on earth. I will give you what that husband of yours cannot.”

“I will do my own giving, thank you,” came a voice from the doorway.

They turned to see Alex leaning against the door-jamb. He was wearing a pink coat and his wig that went down to his shoulders, but for all his soft appearance, his eyes were hard.

The lieutenant backed away from Jessica. “Sir, I meant no disrespect to the lady.”

The expression in Alex’s eyes didn’t change and Jess could see sweat beginning to trickle down the side of the lieutenant’s face.

“I should get back,” the lieutenant murmured, edging around the desk and toward the door.

Alex stepped aside to let the young man pass, all the while never taking his eyes off him.

Jess was across the room in seconds. “You sure scared him, Alex,” she said. She tried to get past him and into the hallway, but he put his arm out and halted her.

“What are you doing in here?” There was no humor in Alex’s face.

“The window was open and I—”

Alex grabbed her arm, lifted it and removed the letter opener she still held. “Don’t lie to me, Jessica. Were you in here to meet that man?”

Part of her was startled, but part of her was relieved. “He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

Alex put his hand on her upper arm and squeezed. “If I ever catch you with another man I’ll—”

“You’ll what? Spend more time with the countess? Would you mind removing that?” she asked, looking down at his belly blocking her way. How dare he suggest she was doing what he’d been doing all week?

“Jessica,” Alex said, but she pushed past him and left the room. When she got to the foot of the stairs, she stuffed the document she held crumpled in her hand into the bosom of her dress and then went back to Mrs. Wentworth’s tea party.

That evening, at the Montgomery house, Sophy cornered Jessica while she was doing the accounts. “Whatever did you say to Alex? He’s been a regular bear all evening.”

“While I was in the admiral’s office, some fresh young lieutenant came in the room and tried to arrange a meeting with me. Alex arrived before it went too far, but then Alex accused me of encouraging the man. As if I didn’t have better things to do than run off with some silly English soldier.”

“Jealousy is

good in a man,” Sophy said. “You should dress like that every day.”

“Dig clams in a red dress? The clams would laugh at me.”

“There are other things a lady can do besides dig clams.”

“Such as sew and flirt with handsome young men and scheme behind her husband’s back?”

“I’m glad you don’t scheme,” Sophy said sarcastically. “Jess, may I borrow your black cloak? I must make a trip outside.”

“Of course,” Jess said, not looking up from her ledger.