He covered Lily’s hand with his. “Thank you. For reminding me of that. And . . . and for calling me by name. Your parents may not approve, but it has the sound of music to my ears.”

Her smile had the look of sunshine. “Then I shall continue to use it—as you may use mine. If you like.”

He let her pull her hand away, given the approaching steps. But he smiled in return. “I like this very much.”

Ivy and Clarke’s laughter intruded then, and they rejoined them for the walk back to Curzon Street. He and Clarke parted ways soon after. Usually they kept each other company on the tube ride home, but he knew Clarke was meeting a cousin who was in London on leave tonight.

Which was why Zivon had that encrypted message and the photograph in his pocket. He’d been planning on dropping by the embassy again as they were closing. And because it was his plan, his feet took that familiar path.

But as twilight spread its wings over the city and he looked up at the building’s proud façade, he paused. If you don’t trust your friends . . .

He sighed. This game he was playing had seemed the wisest course. The only course. The only way to move the pieces on the board. This was what his division in Moscow had always done. Decide what information to give, what to retain, what to do with it.

But this wasn’t Moscow. He was no longer the second in command of the codebreaking division, a man of vital importance to the entire intelligence operation.

Be still, and know that I am God.

If Zivon sent this message to Maklakov, deliberately undermining the allies he’d decided to join, the ones he hoped to serve out the war beside . . . If he deceived them, even though it was for the greater good, then how could he possibly expect their trust in return?

The ruby ring rested heavily against his knuckle. He wanted to help his people. His country. His czar. But the how surely mattered. And was this the kind of man he wanted to be? The kind who would look only at the ends and not question the means?

He pivoted on his heel and strode away from the embassy. He didn’t know how to untangle the web he’d already created there. But he could make different decisions moving forward. Better ones. He set his course for the Old Building, somehow not surprised when he spotted Admiral Hall just exiting as Zivon drew near.

“Admiral! Could I be spared one moment of your time?”

Though his driver already had the rear door open for him, Hall steered himself away from the car. He wore, as always, an easy smile. “Marin. What can I do for you?”