Alec made his way to the dining car and slumped into a booth, but his mind was still fixed on the past, and how he had come to be the man she thought so little of.

He had always assumed his deeper feelings for Lottie began on the night of her coming out ball, but the first spark had been a year earlier when he attended a small dinner party at Sir Alfred’s London town house. His guardian had been talking of his future for months, but Alec was reluctant to make any firm commitments. He assumed the invitation was Sir Alfred’s version of a peace offering, but during predinner drinks, Alec was introduced to several men—two from the Home Office and one from Naval Intelligence. Then he understood the true purpose of the evening.

Alec excused himself shortly before dinner was announced—under Sir Alfred’s disapproving glare, but he needed to be alone. Blessed relief had flooded through him as soon as he stepped into the silent library. Alec let out a heavy sigh and walked toward the hearth. A fire had been lit and he was immediately drawn to the comforting glow.

“Tell him you won’t do it,” Alec muttered as he stared at the flames. “Tell him you don’t owe him anything more. For God’s sake, how long are you supposed to be indebted to him?” He curled his fingers into a fist and was about to pound it against the mantel when someone loudly cleared their throat behind him.

Alec spun around and found Lottie tucked up on the window seat with a book on her lap. She gave him an amused smile. “Are the guests really so boring you’d rather converse with the fireplace?”

How would he ever be a spy if he couldn’t even deduce when he was alone? “I didn’t know you were back,” he blurted out once he recovered from his shock.

Lottie had spent the summer traveling the continent with the family of a school friend. They had not seen each other since Easter. She set aside the book and placed her feet on the floor. As she crossed them, Alec caught a flash of slim ankle. She must have slipped off her shoes. “After the French Riviera Abigail’s father decided he had seen enough of the continent, so we came home early.” Her mouth briefly tightened with disappointment. Then she brightened. “Now, tell me why you’re skulking about the library instead of talking with my uncle’s boring friends.”

Boring indeed. Lottie hadn’t any clue just how powerful her uncle was. Alec himself hadn’t realized it until a few months ago. And he couldn’t say a word to her about it. Guilt settled deep in his belly.