Anastasia Whittig, a master code breaker and inventor for British Intelligence, stays in the background not attempting fieldwork as her two cohorts. Ana prefers this self-imposed exile while she grieves for her beloved husband. Unable to face society, she retreats into a safe comfortable world of her making. This changes when her dearest friend Emily is wounded on assignment. Ana takes over Emily's role and teams with agent Lucas Tyler.
Lucas Tyler's latest case consumes him. His best friend Henry took a bullet meant for Lucas. The attack left Henry in a wheelchair. Lucas will find the traitor, using any means necessary to expose him. When his superiors team him with a female agent, Lucas cannot hide his disdain, especially when his partner appears as timid as a mouse. He challenges Ana every step of the way to aggressively investigate and pursue the leads. Along the way, Lucas falls in love with Ana and comes to admire her character and intelligence.
DESIRE NEVER DIES is the second in the Charlie's Angels Regency-era trilogy. Ms. Petersen emphasizes the sizzling romance between Ana and Lucas, while the espionage plot is weak with its obvious villain.
Lady Anastasia Whittig is a true lady in every senseβand an
absolute master at code-breaking. She has never operated in
the field, yet I feel confident this beautiful, talented
agent can triumph in the face of even the most dire peril.
Her mission: Working with master spy Lucas Tyler, she must
expose the mastermind who is attempting to bring down our
secret organization. She must maintain a strictly
professional relationship with the admittedly attractive
Tyler throughout, for even a hint of scandal could
compromise their operation.
Potential weaknesses: Ana can be most passionate when
provoked. And Tyler is a seductive scoundrel who's never
failed to win a lady's confidence.
The temptations of this man might prove irresistible . . .
EXCERPT
Chapter 1
London 1813
The crash jolted Anastasia Whittig out of her
concentration. She blinked, pushing her spectacles up the
bridge of her nose as she looked at the ceiling with pursed
lips. What in the world were the servants doing up there,
teaching each other to dance? She hated interruptions,
especially when she was so dratted close to finding the key
to this latest invention.
Glaring at the stairs that lead from her secret workroom to
the main floor above, she returned her attention to her
efforts.
The second crash made her jump. It was followed by more
pounding feet and, to Anaβs surprise, the door above her
stairway flew open. Normally, the servants knew better than
to invade her private area, so for them to open her door,
without even knocking, was an indication that something
serious was afoot.
A maid came down two steps. Her cap was crooked and her
eyes wide and wild. Ana cocked her head.
βWhat in the world is it, Mary? Iβm in the middle of-β
The girl panted, fear painted across her face in pale
colors. βLady Allington, my lady, she-she-β
The bottle of kerosene in Anaβs hand slipped free, hitting
the floor with a crash that she hardly heard above the
sudden rush of blood roaring in her ears. Lady Allington
was her best friend, Emily Redgrave, mistress of the house
they shared. She was also a spy.
Just like Anastasia.
Emily had been out that night on a case. There would only
be one reason for Maryβs terror, for her intrusion.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
βWhere is she?β Ana cried as she ran for the stairs. She
stumbled as she grasped the banister to pull herself up.
Panic rose in her chest, choking her, making it hard to
breathe as she followed the girl through the kitchen.
βShe came in through the back, Lady Whittig,β the girl
panted. βAnd we carried her to the parlor.β
βCarried her?β Ana repeated in shock. βOh my God.β
Mary burst through the parlor closest to the back of the
house. Ana shoved past her to see a circle of sobbing,
trembling servants surrounding the settee. Elbowing her way
through the crowd, she stopped in horror at what she beheld.
Emily lay on the couch, eyes shut. Her skin was pale, her
brow sweaty, and even the stir of the noisy staff didnβt
wake her as she rested in unnatural slumber. Another maid
knelt over her, pressing a dishrag against her side. Ana
could already see blood seeping through the cloth.
She dropped down beside her friend. βLet me see, Hester.β
The girl darted a glance in her direction and then pulled
the cloth away. Ana recoiled. Emilyβs torn gown revealed a
large wound. The fabric was soaked in blood and edged with
the remnants of gunpowder.
She had been shot.
Grabbing the towel from Hesterβs shaking hands, Ana
returned it to its place and pressed to ebb the flow of
Emilyβs blood.
Nausea washed over her, fear froze her, but Ana shook it
off. Now was not the time to get the vapors. The servants
looked to her for what steps to take next. The next few
decisions she made could save her friendβs lifeβ¦ or ensure
it bled out on the settee in the parlor.
She measured her tone carefully. The household was already
hysterical enough, there was no need to make the situation
any worse. She turned to one of the men in the
group. βRobert, ride as fast as you can to Dr. Adam
Wexlerβs. You know the way. Tell him we need him. If he is
with company, do not tell him anything else. Once you are
alone with him, inform him Lady Emily was shot.β
Her driver nodded. βYes, my lady, Iβll be back as quickly
as I can.β
She turned to Benson, their butler. He was pale, his eyes
fixed on Emily. He might be a stodgy fellow who disapproved
of female spies, but he was loyal to a fault. All their
servants had to be in order to keep their secret safe.
βBenson, listen to me,β she said softly, drawing his
attention. βFetch Henderson and tell him to get Charles
Isley. Make sure he tells Charlie nothing except that it is
an emergency. Have him come to the back and be sure no one
sees his entrance so late at night or it will arouse
suspicion.β
Benson bowed as he moved for the door. βYes, my lady.β
βThe rest of you, prepare Lady Allingtonβs room for her
convalescence.β She choked, hoping her injured friend would
survive to have one. But it gave the servants something to
do besides stare as Emily bled. Keeping them busy was a
kindness. One she couldnβt grant herself. βMake her room as
comfortable as you can. And please,β she added for the
benefit of those who werenβt already aware of her secret
life, βdo not speak of this. Your indiscretion could
endanger her ladyship even more.β
The servants nodded and began to leave, whispering in fear
as they departed. Ana could only pray for their silence as
she returned her attention to Emily.
βEmily,β she whispered, pushing a tangled lock of sweaty
blonde hair away from her friendβs eyes as she fought back
tears. Her mind spun, taking her to places she didnβt want
to remember. Taking her to her own husbandβs bedside over
five years ago. He had also died from a bullet, a hunting
accident on their country estate. Heβd been hurt so badly,
nothing could save him.
She shook her head. No. She would not lose someone she
loved again. She would not lose Emily. She pressed the
cloth against Emilyβs wound harder and her friend let out a
little cry. Ana leaned close.
βIβm here. Youβre safe now.β She bit back a sob. Emily
wouldnβt want to hear her crying. βYou are home.β
Emily groaned as her eyes opened, a shocking bright blue
even when clouded with pain. βAlone?β she coughed.
βYes, the servants have all gone. Youβll be fine, dearest.
Adam is coming.β Emily drew a ragged breath, fighting for
words, but Ana shook her head. βSave your strength. Donβt
try to talk now.β
Ana winced as she realized her statement was more for her
own benefit than Emilyβs. She simply didnβt want to hear
her best friendβs words of good-bye. Couldnβt accept that
this was truly happening.
Emily gave a pained growl of frustration. βTrap, Ana. It
wasβ¦ aβ¦ trap.β
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