Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) Read Free

ridiculous thought from her head. She’d only been married to Lord Maxwell for a few short years, but when he died, there was no grieving on her part. No, her beast of a husband was better off six feet under than walking this earth and making her life pure agony.
    Although the man was well-loved by the community—and the king—he was not a very good husband and Mercedes felt only happiness when he was gone.
    She glanced heavenward and knew the Lord would strike her down for thinking ill of the dead. But the only good thing Fredrick had accomplished in his life was finding traitors against the Crown and turning them over to the King. Being an agent suited Frederick well, and oft times his activities kept her intrigued as she eavesdropped on some of his meetings. Every so often she had followed him to see how he went about capturing the traitors—until she accidentally discovered him sneaking off to join his mistress. That had promptly ended Mercedes’ inquisitiveness.
    Unfortunately, with his death the money stopped as well. If only she could do something to earn a living. If only she could be a good agent like Lord Maxwell had been. If only…
    Her thoughts skidded to a halt and she straightened in the leather seat. Why can’t I be an agent? Kat had let it slip about her traitorous husband, William Braxton. If Mercedes could get enough information on the man to turn over to the King’s army, surely they’d see her value as an agent for His Majesty and enable her to pay for Kat’s care.
    A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She could do it. She’d spied on her husband often enough and he’d never had an inkling of her activities. Confidence grew in her chest and she straightened her shoulders.
    There was only one problem she could foresee. It had never been in her nature to act bold and forward. Could she possibly get the information she needed and force the King’s army to listen to her?
    Assertiveness had always been a part of Kat’s character. Now it was Mercedes’ turn to be aggressive—and it frightened her nearly to death.
    * * * *
    Philadelphia, two weeks later
     
    Mercedes Maxwell stepped down from the stagecoach, breathing a heavy sigh. The trip had been too long, and jostled her around so much the coiled hair style at the base of her neck fell in a disarray of curls. The constant sway of the coach made her feel like she’d been on a ship at times, especially when she closed her eyes. If not for all the dusty dryness coating her mouth, she would have thought she’d been tossed by waves instead. Thankfully it was mid-spring and not yet summer or the humidity would have suffocated her.
    “Lady Maxwell? Are ye all right?” Timothy trudged up behind her, pulling her trunk.
    “Yes. I will be fine.” She surveyed the busy street, pushing strands of hair out of her eyes. “So long as we can find lodging before I am jostled again.”
    Her servant, a man old enough to be her father, straightened and walked in front of her. “Although we’ve few shillin’s left, I’ll find a conveyance. Ye stay right ‘ere with the trunk. It shouldn’t take much time to locate transportation to yer brother-in-law’s.”
    Sweeping the unruly mass of hair over her shoulder, she sat on the trunk and clutched her satchel. She must find lodging soon. Funds were low, which placed a greater urgency with her plans.
    Especially now.
    Tears stung her eyes as she reached into the pocket of her cloak and pulled out the letter she’d received from Dr. McClain at the asylum.
    Lady Maxwell, I regret to inform you that your sister, Katherine Braxton, died after you left the hospital. She found a knife and cut herself. When I found her she’d lost so much blood, it was too late to save her. Accept my apologies and my deepest sympathy. I will send you the bill since your sister didn’t have the funds to cover it. Respectfully, Dr. McClain.
    Mercedes swiped the tears from her eyes and placed the letter back in