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  A Secret Code

  The Code Breakers Regency Romantic Suspense Series

  Book 11

  Jacki Delecki

  About the Book

  Enter the emotional, suspenseful Regency world of USA Today bestselling author Jacki Delecki’s Code Breakers spy series. Undaunted by danger or scandal, these intrepid lords and ladies discover true love as they risk it all to save England from Napoleon’s treacherous designs.

  Two Unattainable Missions

  Joie and Reggie are back. And while it’s no secret they are in love, convincing her father that the titleless Reggie will be a good husband is a failed mission—at least so far. However, they won’t give up. Joie must return to London for her first season, pretending to accept her fate, that her father has picked an eligible man for Joie to wed. Help will come in the form of Lady Henrietta, who has personally assumed the task of sponsoring Joie to stifle any scandal and to help make the match with Reggie work.

  And only one is on assignment from the Crown.

  Reggie is in London, tasked with finding the mole inside the head code breaker’s household. Joie immediately tries to help Reggie with his assignment by befriending Lady Henrietta’s uncle who is a codebreaker—and fraternizing with the servants in effort to find the spy, despite Reggie telling her not to interfere this time. But when Joie discovers how the mole is sending the messages to France, the enemy must retaliate. But this time, she’s not the target. She’s jeopardized someone else.

  Who will live and who will die? And will Reggie and Joie ever be able to wed?

  Copyright

  A Secret Code

  Copyright © 2021 by Jacki Delecki

  Excerpt from A Code of Joy © 2020 by Jacki Delecki

  Excerpt from Mission: Impossible to Resist © 2018 by Jacki Delecki

  This is work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, without expressed written permission from the author.

  The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products in this work of fiction, which has been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  ISBN: 9781735567945

  Published by Doe Bay Publishing, Seattle, Washington.

  Cover Design by The Killion Group, Inc.

  Interior Formatting by Author E.M.S.

  Table of Contents

  A SECRET CODE

  About the Book

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from A CODE OF JOY

  Excerpt from MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE TO RESIST

  Also by Jacki Delecki

  About the Author

  Dedication

  To Luna, our newest canine family member. A rambunctious Sato—a Puerto Rican street dog who soon will make appearances in my books. And to Gus and Talley who were incredible companions and continue to inspire my characters by their steadfast devotion.

  Chapter One

  Lieutenant Reginald Talley paced in front of the door. Anticipating a less than warm reception, his heart pounded against his chest like cannon fire. He felt greater trepidation about this meeting than he’d ever felt charging into battle. He had never before asked for a woman’s hand. And this was not just any woman, but the esteemed Archbishop George Henry James’s only daughter.

  From a lifetime of contending with his father, “the General,” Reggie had acquired practice in standing up to powerful men. He had developed superb negotiating skills with explanations always at the ready.

  Except for the time he had been sent down from Oxford for bringing sheep into his older brother’s rooms, he had been quite adept at defending himself. His justification at the time—that his older brother had been a royal pain—had proven inadequate. This time, he had no argument except his love for Joie and Joie’s love for him. And the archbishop wouldn’t be swayed by Reggie’s or Joie’s feelings when Reggie was not a titled gentleman, despite his large inheritance and lands. His Grace valued one’s standing in society above all else.

  Reggie planned to be a buffer between Joie and her disapproving father. After years of not caving under the general’s bullying, Reggie knew how to protect Joie from unwanted censure.

  A skinny man with a prominent Adam’s apple and a gray-streaked widow’s peak opened the office door. His dark morning coat drooped on his narrow shoulders. “His Grace will see you now.”

  Reggie nodded to the man who held the door as he entered the spacious room lined with red velvet drapes and ornate dark wood. A carved mahogany pulpit stood next to the rows of books stacked from floor to ceiling. Reggie expected the smell of burning incense in preparation for services. The office recalled the chapel at Oxford and all the painful hours spent on wooden benches listening to boring sermons.

  The archbishop didn’t stand or acknowledge Reggie’s arrival but continued to browse the papers on his desk.

  “Your Grace.” Reggie bowed his head before moving into the dark and heavily furnished room.

  With his strong forehead, broad nose, and beady eyes, the archbishop bore no resemblance to his daughter. Joie, who had expressive black eyes, thick hair the color of crow’s wings, and porcelain skin, must have inherited her beauty from her mother.

  “I appreciate you taking time to see me, sir. I’m sure your schedule is quite demanding.”

  “Lieutenant Talley?”

  “Yes, sir.” Reggie, in his full regalia, held a military stance, his feet planted apart, his shoulders back, and his chin tucked in. The archbishop raised a contemptuous eyebrow as his gaze traveled over him, but it failed to disturb Reggie as the archbishop no doubt hoped. A man of the cloth who spent his life studying and working with the clergy wasn’t the least bit intimidating to Reggie. He had withstood years of censorious perusal by his father and then other high-ranking military men hardened by war. Yet the importance of pleasing this austere figure wasn’t lost on Reggie. This was the man who held Joie’s happiness in his hands.

  “My daughter hasn’t stopped singing your praises since she’s arrived in London.” Disdain laced his deep baritone voice. The man, a trained orator, pitched his voice perfectly for cutting effect. Reggie didn’t care if the archbishop didn’t like him, but he was insulted on Joie’s behalf. Her father should appreciate how rare his sensitive and insightful daughter was among women.

  Reggie approached the desk, forcing the man to look up at him—a trick Reggie had learned from all the dressing downs before the general.

  The archbishop waved his hand toward a chair. Reggie resisted being positioned like a penitent and sitting across the imposing desk with Joie’s father looking down at him from his seat of power, a high-backed chair with intricate scrollwork.

  “As you are aware, the circumstances of meeting your daughter were unusual, sir.” He wouldn’t mention the scandalous manner in which he mistook an archbishop’s daughter for a French spy and the mistress of Jerome Bonaparte. Confusing Joie for his contact on his first clandestine mission hadn’t been the best beginning of his career in British intelligence.

  “Joie was on her way to her aunt as punishment
for her scandalous behavior during the pre-Christmas season. Instead of returning home chastised, she returned from her sojourn in the country in love with a solider. A soldier she hadn’t been properly introduced to but encountered at a public inn.”

  Her father framed their meeting in the worst possible way. Anger blistered under Reggie’s skin and crawled into his gut. There was nothing untoward or sordid about the immediate connection between them. How dare he treat an innocent and trusting Joie in such a condemning fashion? Again, her father saw only the worst. Instead of defending his daughter for innocently believing a hardened London dissolute who tried to seduce her at a ball, her father had held her responsible.

  “Miss James is blameless. She did nothing scandalous when she was in London. She trusted a dishonorable man parading as a gentleman.”

  “Except there was gossip about her and nothing of the gentleman. She understands that she must show the most refined behavior now that she is rejoining the season. She has already acquired notoriety for her lack of judgment. I promised my wife on her deathbed that Joie would enjoy all the delights of the season and make a match with a respected, titled gentleman. I will not have my daughter’s name bandied about because of questionable indiscretions during travel.”

  Reggie didn’t want to contemplate her father’s reaction if he learned of Joie caring for Reggie after he had been shot by the French spies who had kidnapped her.

  “Sir… You do both Miss James and me a disservice.”

  “I’m relieved that no rumors have made their way to London about her behavior in Rye.”

  Of course, there was nothing out in society. Information about a British intelligence agent capturing French spies and involving an innocent woman would remain a protected secret.

  “Miss James acted in a most discreet manner befitting her station during her forced stay. She had no control over the weather or her carriage’s broken axle. There was nothing in her behavior that would warrant censure from society or yourself.”

  Reggie’s thoughts flashed on their passionate kisses and kept his reactions hidden.

  “If you’ve come to ask permission to court my daughter, the answer is no. You are not worthy of my daughter and never will be.”

  Reggie thought he had been prepared for the rejection. But he felt the familiar stab to his gut and the sting of recrimination. It was reminiscent of his childhood when he could never measure up to his father’s impossible standards.

  “Sir, I agree that I’m not worthy. She is a beautiful, loving woman, and I’m not sure how the fates were in my favor. But I’m an honorable man who serves His Majesty.”

  “I’ll allow that you make a dashing figure in your uniform.”

  Reggie now regretted that he had chosen to wear his uniform to impress the archbishop with his service to Crown and country.

  “And like any flighty young woman, Joie believes she is in love with you. With the death of her mother, she had no one to guide her while going into society. Or to urge her to keep in mind a match befitting my station.”

  “I know that Miss James misses her mother deeply. And wishes her mother were here for her debut in society.”

  Did the archbishop’s eyes soften at the mention of his wife? According to Joie, theirs was a love match, but since his wife’s death the archbishop had turned into a hard and unbending man.

  “Surely, your wife would have wanted Joie’s happiness with a man who will be devoted to her and will protect her against the harshness of life. I’m a wealthy man with an extensive estate. I can provide for Miss James’s future.”

  “And how do you defend your reputation, sir? You’re known in society for your dalliances with opera dancers.”

  Reggie shifted in the chair. Heat burned up his neck to the tops of his ears. He hadn’t expected the archbishop’s knowledge of his past.

  “Surely you aren’t surprised that I would investigate a man that my only daughter believes herself in love with. I’m sure you’re capable of finding a woman who needs to marry to increase her family’s coffers. But that isn’t the case for Joie. She has a large dowry and is in no need of a wealthy man to provide for her. What she needs is to take up her position in society as befitting her rank as my daughter.”

  “My family is respectable, and I doubt anyone in society would feel the match less than worthy.”

  “I’m aware of your estate and your family’s position in society. It is not enough. I’ve bigger ambitions for my daughter’s future.”

  Reggie was glad his military discipline prevented him from lashing out. What did the archbishop’s ambitions matter? Reggie despised the fact that Joie’s happiness was not considered.

  “And if you’re ever a father, would you want your daughter to marry a man with your reputation? Does my daughter know of your past?”

  “I fully understand your reservations. I’ve had my share of indiscretions as any single man befitting my age and station. Yet, it is all in the past now that I’ve met Joie. I vow to love and cherish your daughter. I will honor my wedding vows as I do my vow to my country if that is your concern. I have a loving mother and four sisters, and I esteem their feelings and would never want Joie to suffer one moment of pain.”

  “Very moving speech. As the third son, you might have considered the clergy instead of the military. Neither your wishes nor Joie’s play any role in my decision. Joie will marry the Honorable Mr. Landry, a dear childhood friend of Joie’s and someone she holds in great esteem. There has been an agreement between our families since they were children.”

  Reggie snapped his head back as if he received a face plant. Why hadn’t Joie told him of Landry? He was acquainted with the second son of an earl, who was a theological scholar making his reputation in the church. Joie had never mentioned an agreement.

  “I can see by your reaction that Joie didn’t disclose her close relationship with Albert.”

  Reggie’s burst of intense jealousy swept over him like breakers on the Channel’s shores. It was true that they hadn’t a great deal of time to talk during their stay in Rye. Once the damaged axle had been repaired, Joie had traveled to her aunt’s, and he had returned to London to heal and take up his next mission.

  And now he regretted that he hadn’t told Joie of his plans to meet with the archbishop before her return to London. He wanted Joie to be assured that his intentions and promises in Rye were honorable. And he admitted he wanted society, especially the male contingency, to know that Joie belonged to him before the season started.

  He was also afraid if she learned of his visit, she would try to plead his case and possibly make the situation worse if she mentioned anything that had passed between them in Rye. A prideful man like the archbishop wouldn’t want his hand forced if he learned the truth of their kisses and her time caring for him alone in his room.

  “I’m surprised that Miss James didn’t share her relationship with Mr. Landry, but I believe it must be that she doesn’t have the same expectations as you do,” Reggie said. “I will honor the lady’s wishes if she believes that Mr. Landry will bring her the happiness and contentment she deserves.” Over my dead body, he thought.

  Reggie stood. “I thank you for your time, Your Grace.”

  Like every good soldier, Reggie knew when to retreat from a skirmish. He planned to win the battle.

  Chapter Two

  Joie’s stomach was aflutter like a swarm of butterflies around a buddleia bush. She was both nervously excited and extremely curious about the invitation to join Lady Henrietta Rathbourne for tea. Joie, wearing a violet spring walking dress, curtsied to the woman who had almost cost Joie and Reggie their lives.

  This petite woman, dressed in a simple green gown with her chestnut hair in an unadorned chignon, didn’t look like a woman that French spies were willing to kidnap or kill. Whatever role the lady played, it must be vital to England’s war against France.

  “Miss James, I’m pleased to finally meet you after all the ‘excitement’ I caused you and
Lieutenant Talley.”

  Joie was at a loss on how to respond. Being kidnapped and held ransom could be called exciting if you didn’t mind being terrified out of your wits. Joie had no idea why this tiny woman was the center of intrigue. No one deemed it necessary for Joie to be made privy to Lady Rathbourne’s role in English intelligence.

  A striking woman in a frothy crimson morning gown was stretched across the settee.

  “I would rise to greet you, but it would take your entire visit for me to get upright.” The lady’s laugh was husky and enchanting.

  “And this is my sister-in-law, the Viscountess Gwyneth Ashworth.”

  Joie curtsied and tried not to stare at Lady Ashworth. By the size of her bulging stomach, she had to be close to delivery or having a very large baby. Her condition usually would preclude a lady venturing out of her home. And Joie remembered that the lady’s husband had been in charge of Reggie’s mission in Rye.

  “I couldn’t miss the opportunity to meet you, Miss James, since I’m afraid that I soon won’t be able to visit my dear friend.” She tenderly rubbed her abdomen. “My husband shared how you became embroiled in danger because of a case of mistaken identity.”

  Reggie mistaking her for the French spy wasn’t the reason Joie had been kidnapped. He had quickly corrected his mistake and had warned her not to get involved. But Joie’s need to help Reggie and her jealousy of the beautiful French spy who had offered to be a double agent—before they realized her intention to be a triple agent—had caused Joie to fall into the wicked woman’s trap. It was Joie’s fault that she had been kidnapped, giving the French the opportunity to exchange Joie for Reggie and his knowledge of Lady Henrietta’s mysterious work.