Not by Sight Read Free

section of the British Intelligence Agency, MI5, had received a tip. An unknown German agent was to arrive at the ball tonight and meet with a man already under the Admiralty’s watchful eye—the man disguised as Charlie Chaplin. Once an exchange was made, Jack would follow the German from the ball to his lair, where New Scotland Yard could make the arrest.
    He lifted his glass to take another sip of champagne. So where was he—?
    A shimmer of bright green near the door caught his eye. Jack turned . . . and then forgot everything else.
    She was a vision. Jack swallowed as he stared at the exotic beauty only a few yards away. Her cloud of fiery auburn curls looked ready to burst from the green ribbons holding them in place, and her gown, a wispy emerald-green affair, clung to her alluring figure, swaying gently as she turned with a regal air and surveyed the room.
    “I say, is that Pandora?”
    It took a moment for Lord Chumley’s question to penetrate Jack’s senses. But yes, he’d already glimpsed the small gold box she held against her lovely bosom.
    Cleopatra spoke up. “According to myth, the gods made her the most beautiful woman on earth—”
    “To ensnare Epimetheus, the brother of Zeus’s enemy, into marriage,” Lady Godiva finished. “She would cause him mischief by opening her box and releasing trouble into the world.”
    “I could do with a spot of trouble,” Chumley muttered under his breath.
    Jack heard him, and the unexpected rush of anger he felt took him aback. He said nothing, unable to tear his gaze from the auburn-haired beauty near the door.
    “Who is she?” Lady Bassett demanded. “I cannot see her clearly from this distance.”
    Jack’s pulse quickened as she started in their direction. “Excuse me,” he said, breaking from the women at his side. He ignored Lady Bassett’s frown as he moved apart, waiting to catch Pandora’s attention.
    Halfway across the stretch dividing them, she paused. Only half aware, Jack did so too, holding his breath as she lifted her head to scan the room. When she turned back to him, their gazes locked, and he offered his most dazzling smile.
    Immediately she straightened and blushed. Then she frownedat him, and Jack wanted to laugh. Air eased from his lungs when after a moment she flashed a determined look and resumed her trek.
    All conversation stopped when she came to stand directly before him. Jack caught the heady, exotic scent of flowers—jasmine?—as they continued staring at each other. He took in her exquisite features, the porcelain skin and dainty nose set beneath wide emerald eyes. Her full lower lip crying out to be kissed . . .
    Ever so slowly, the green-eyed beauty held out a gloved hand. Delighted, he smiled and gently grasped her fingers, bringing them to his lips.
    Only when she pulled away did he notice the gift she’d given him.
    ———
    Grace watched, breathless, as he looked down at the white feather of cowardice. Uncertainty over his reaction warred with the effect his nearness was having on her senses. She discovered he was even more impressive up close. One could drown in those midnight-blue eyes, and his smile . . . sweet heaven, it made her almost giddy.
    She had to remind herself again of his cowardice, and as he looked at her, Grace was satisfied to note his smug expression had turned to a look of pure astonishment . . .
    Before he grinned and tucked the feather behind his ear.
    She glared at him, her moment of righteousness quashed. When he silently offered her his red rose, she set her jaw. Did he think she played some game? Grace had risked her reputation in order to aid her brother and her country. Did this man now think to turn her serious act into a joke? His arrogance was unbelievable! Jack Benningham wasn’t just a coward; he was a conceited, overbearing, womanizing . . . turncoat.
    Abruptly, he shifted his attention past her and let out a snarl.Grace drew in a breath at his look of fury. Had the