The servant still didn't leave. "Was there something more you wanted?"

"Will Princess Alesandra be leaving us?" The worry in the servant's tone was evident.

"There is a good chance she'll move in with my father and mother."

"But, milord…"

"My father is her guardian, Flannaghan."

"That may be," the servant countered. "But you're the only one fit enough to watch out for her. Begging your pardon for being so blunt, but your father is getting along in years and your brother has his wife and child to look after. That leaves you, milord. 'Tis the truth, I would be very distressed if anything happened to our princess."

"Nothing's going to happen to her."

The conviction in his employer's voice appeased Flannaghan's worry. Colin was acting like a protector now. He was a possessive man by nature, stubborn, and just a little bit obtuse, in Flannaghan's estimation, because Colin was taking forever to come to the realization that he and Princess Alesandra were meant for each other.

Colin turned his attention back to his ledgers. Flannaghan coughed to let him know he wasn't quite finished bothering him.

"What else is on your mind?"

"I just thought I would mention… that is, the incident in front of the Opera…"

Colin shut his book. "Yes?" he prodded.

"It's affected her. She hasn't said anything to me, but I know she hasn't gotten over the incident. She's still blaming herself for Raymond's injury."

"That's ridiculous."

Flannaghan nodded. "She keeps apologizing to her guard and this morning, when she came downstairs, I could tell she'd been weeping. I believe you should have a talk with her, milord. A princess should not cry."

Flannaghan sounded like an authority on the topic of royalty. Colin nodded. "All right, I'll have a talk with her later. Now leave me alone. For the first time in months, I'm actually close to being caught up and I want to get today's totals entered. I don't wish to be disturbed until dinner."

Flannaghan didn't mind his employer's gruffness. Colin would take care of the princess, and that was all that really mattered.

The butler's cheerful mood was sorely tested the rest of the afternoon. He spent most of his time answering the front door and turning away potential suitors. It was a damn nuisance.

At seven o'clock that evening, Sir Richards arrived on their doorstep. He didn't request admission. The head of England's Security Section demanded to be let in.

Flannaghan ushered Sir Richards up the stairs and into Colin's study. The distinguished-looking gray-haired gentleman waited until the butler had taken his leave before speaking to Colin.

"You're looking none the worse for wear," he announced. "I wanted to look in on you to see how you're doing, of course, and also compliment you on a job well done. The Wellingham business could have gotten sticky. You handled it well."

Colin leaned back in his chair. "It did get sticky," he reminded the director.

"Yes, but you handled it with your usual tact."

Colin caught himself before he snorted with laughter. Handled with tact? How like the director to summarize in gentlemen's terms the necessary killing of one of England's enemies.

"Why are you really here, Richards?"

"To compliment you, of course."

Colin did laugh then. Richards smiled. "I could use a spot of brandy," he announced with a wave of his hand in the direction of the side bar against the wall. "Will you join me?"

Colin declined the offer. He started to get up to see to the director's request, but Richards waved him back to his seat "I can fetch it."

The director poured himself a drink, then went over to sit in the leather-backed chair facing the desk. "Morgan's going to be joining us in just a few minutes. I wanted to talk to you first, however. Another little problem has developed and I thought it might be just the task for Morgan to handle. An opportunity, you see, for him to get his feet wet."

"He's joining the ranks then?"

"He would like to be of service to his country," the director told him. "What do you think of him, Colin? Forget diplomacy and give me your gut reaction to the man."

Colin shrugged. His neck was stiff from leaning over the ledgers for so long and he rolled his shoulders, trying to work the knots out. "I understand he inherited title and land from his father a few years back. He's the Earl of Oakmount now, isn't he?"

"Yes," Sir Richards replied. "But you're only half right. The title and land came from an uncle. Morgan's father ran tail years ago. The boy was shuffled from one relative to another during the growing years. There was talk of illegitimacy and some think that was the reason the father abandoned the boy. Morgan's mother died when he was four or five."

"A difficult childhood," Colin remarked.

The director agreed. "It made him the man he is today. He learned to be clever early on, you see."

"You know more about his background than I do," Colin said. "All I can add is superficial. I've seen him at various functions. He's well liked by the ton."

The director took a long swallow of the brandy before speaking again. "You still haven't given me your opinion," he reminded Colin.

"I'm not hedging," Colin replied. "I honestly don't know him well enough to form an opinion. He seems likable enough. Nathan doesn't particularly like him, though. I do remember him making that remark."

The director smiled. "Your partner doesn't like anyone."

"That's true, he doesn't."

"Did he have specific reasons for disliking Morgan?"

"No. He referred to him as one of the pretty boys. Morgan's a handsome man, or so I'm told by the women."

"Nathan doesn't like him because of his appearance?"

Colin laughed. Sir Richards sounded incredulous. "My partner doesn't like charmers. He says he never knows what they're thinking."

The director filed that information away in the back of his mind. "Morgan has almost as many contacts as you have, and he would be a tremendous asset to the department. Still, I'm determined to take it slow. I still don't know how he'll handle himself in a crisis. I've invited him here to talk to you, Colin. There's another delicate matter you might want to consider handling for us. If you decide in favor of taking on the assignment, I'd like Morgan to get involved. He could do well to learn from you."

"I'm retired, remember?"

The director smiled. "So am I," he drawled out. "I've been trying to hand the reins over for a good four years now. I'm getting too old for this business."

"You'll never quit."

"And neither will you," Richards predicted. "At least not until your company can survive without your added income. Tell me this, son. Has your partner wondered yet where the additional funds are coming from? I know you didn't want him to know you've started helping the department out again."

Colin stacked his hands behind his neck. "He isn't aware," he explained. "Nathan's been occupied opening the second office. His wife, Sara, is due to have their first baby any day now. I doubt Nathan has had time to notice."

"And when he does notice?"

"I'll tell him the truth."

"We could use Nathan again," the director said.

"That's out of the question. He has a family now."

Sir Richards reluctantly agreed. He turned the topic back to the task he wanted Colin to accept. "About this assignment," he began. "It's no more dangerous than the last, but… ah, good evening, Princess Alesandra. It's a pleasure to see you again."

She stood just outside the entrance. Colin wondered how much she had overheard.

She smiled at the director. "It's good to see you again, sir," she replied in a soft whisper. "I hope I haven't intruded. The door was ajar, but if you're in the middle of a conference, I'll come back later."

Sir Richards hastily stood up and walked over to her. He took hold of her hand and bowed low. "You haven't intruded," he assured her. "Come and sit down. I wanted to talk to you before I left."

He latched on to her elbow and ushered her over to a chair. She sat down and smoothed her skirts while she waited for him to take his seat as well.

"I heard about the unfortunate incident outside the Royal Opera House," the director remarked with a frown. He sat down, nodded to Colin, and then turned his attention back to her. "Have you recovered from your upset?"

"There wasn't anything for me to recover from, Sir Richards. My guard was injured. Raymond required eight stitches in all, but they were removed yesterday. He's feeling much better now. Isn't that right, Colin?"

She kept her gaze fully directed on Sir Richards when she included Colin in the conversation. He didn't mind her lack of attention. He was fully occupied trying to hide his amusement. Sir Richards was blushing. Colin couldn't believe it. The hard-nosed, steel-hearted director of covert operations was blushing like a schoolboy.

Alesandra was mesmerizing the man. Colin wondered if she had any idea of her effect or if it was deliberate. Her smile was innocently sweet, her gaze direct, unwavering, and if she started in batting her eyelashes, then Colin would know the seduction wasn't quite so innocent after all.

"Have you had an opportunity to look into the other matter we discussed?" she asked. "I realize it was bold of me to ask anything of such an important man, Sir Richards, and I want you to know how grateful I am for your offer to send someone to Gretna Green."

"I've already taken care of that duty," the director replied. "My man, Simpson, only just returned last evening. You were correct, Princess. There isn't a record with either Robert Elliott or his rival, David Laing."

"I knew it," Alesandra cried out. She clasped her hands together as though in prayer and turned to frown at Colin. "Didn't I tell you so?"

Her enthusiasm made him smile. "Tell me what?"

"That Lady Victoria wouldn't elope. Your director has just confirmed my suspicions."

"Now, Princess, it's still a possibility-remote, of course-that she did marry there. Both Elliott and Laing keep accurate records so each can boast the number of weddings performed. It's a competitive thing, you see. However, they aren't the only men in Gretna Green who can marry a couple. Some less reputable gents just don't bother with records. They would fill out the certificate and hand it over to the husband. So you see, my dear, she still could have eloped after all."

"She didn't."

Alesandra was emphatic in that belief. Colin shook his head. "She's stirring up a hornet's nest, Richards. I've told her to leave it alone but she won't listen to me."

She frowned at Colin. "I am not stirring anything up."

"Yes, you are," Colin replied. "You're going to cause Victoria's family additional heartache if you pester them with questions."

His criticism stung. She bowed her head. "You must have a low opinion of me if you believe I would deliberately set out to hurt anyone."

"You didn't have to be so harsh with her, son."

Colin was exasperated. "I wasn't being harsh, just honest."

Sir Richards shook his head. Alesandra smiled at the director. She was pleased he'd taken her side.

"If he would only listen to my reasons for being worried, Sir Richards, he wouldn't be so quick to call my concern interference."

The director glared at Colin. "You wouldn't listen to her reasons? She makes a sound argument, Colin. You shouldn't judge without knowing all the facts."

"Thank you, Sir Richards." Colin snorted.

Alesandra decided to ignore the rude man. "What is our next step in this investigation?" she asked the director.

Sir Richards looked a bit confused. "Investigation? I hadn't thought of the problem in that light…"

"You said you would help me," she reminded the director. "You mustn't become discouraged so quickly."

Sir Richards looked to Colin for assistance. Colin grinned.

"It isn't a matter of giving up," Sir Richards said. "I'm just not certain what it is I'm investigating. It's a plain fact your friend did run off with someone and I believe Colin's correct when he suggests you let the matter go."

"Why is it a plain fact?"

"Victoria left a note," Sir Richards explained.

She shook her head. "Anyone could have written a note."

"Yes, but…"

"I had so hoped you would help me, Sir Richards," she interrupted. Her tone of voice sounded forlorn. "You were my last hope. Victoria could be in danger and she only has you and me to help her. If anyone can ferret out the truth, it's you. You're so intelligent and clever."