"That doesn't mean you can't enjoy stopping mayhem, and you do," Rhys said with a sudden smile. He glanced across the lawn. "I need to talk to Mr. Penrose. You and Tamsyn must leave for France as soon as possible, and I believe that Penrose can arrange a swift ship to take you." He laid a hand on Cade's shoulder. "Travel quickly and return home safely."
"I'll do my best." Cade watched as Rhys headed purposefully toward Merryn's father, thinking of the family Rhys and Gwyn had created, which they called the Tribe of Tremayne. It included three biological children and ten fosters. Cade privately thought it a miracle that all of the Tribe got on so well together, though it was probably not really a miracle but the love and generosity Rhys and Gwyn showed to everyone.
Even though he was looking away, he knew when Tamsyn joined him. He always knew where she was. When she reached his side, she gazed down at the beach as Bran and Merryn turned at the far end to retrace their steps. "This may be the first marriage in the family, but it certainly won't be the last. I wonder if future spouses will blend so seamlessly into the Tribe of Tremayne as Merryn has."
He considered her question. "Probably not. She's powerfully gifted, which must have helped."
"Do you think any of us will marry people who aren't gifted?"
"I expect not, since being gifted is so much a part of who we are, and our abilities are often annoying to those who aren't gifted." He gave her an amused glance. "Wondering about future brothers-and sisters-in-law seems like the sort of thing a female is more likely to ponder."
Tamsyn laughed. "I'm sure you're right. Marriages and matchmaking are important concerns for most females."
Though Cade doubted that was as true for females who were agents of the Home Office. "Rhys just told me that we need to leave for Paris as soon as possible. I wish he didn't feel he had to send you into what is about to become enemy territory."
Tam laughed. "With people like us, saying 'I have a feeling about this' shuts down any argument. You've said that often enough yourself."
He had to chuckle. "True, but I'm usually right, aren't I?"
"Yes, and so is Rhys. And Gwyn. And Bran." She gave him a cherubic smile. "And so am I, big brother. Remember that time... ?"
"No need to mention that unfortunate episode," he said hastily. "I was young and made a mistake."
"And now you are old and wise and never make mistakes," Tamsyn said in a dulcet tone. Turning serious, she continued, "I feel this mission could be very simple and straightforward. Or it might not. There is the potential for complications."
"If so, we'll deal with them. Lord Whitworth has the reputation of being a reasonable man, which helps. I don't know about Lady Whitworth. Have you met her?"
"Yes, and she's a capable woman, but her first husband was a duke and that left her with an exaggerated opinion of her consequence. She would not take kindly to a guard who was lowborn, which is why I'm needed." After a pause, Tamsyn continued, "That's one of the reasons I need to go to France with you. I'm not sure about the other reasons."
The back of his neck prickled. Yes, there were likely to be serious complications on the mission.
Luckily, he was very good at dealing with complications.
CHAPTER TWO
Paris
Traveling at the fastest possible speed, Tamsyn and Cade reached Paris and hired Moreau, a craggy and gifted French driver, to take them to the British embassy. Moreau was part of a loose network of gifted people spread across Europe. The fact that most of the gifted had experienced trouble because of their talents created bonds with others like them, and they helped each other as needed.
"Not far now to the British embassy," Moreau said, speaking around the clay pipe stem clamped between his teeth.
Tamsyn gazed at the tall houses that loomed on both sides of the street. One of her gifts was sensing emotions. Often she kept that ability tamped down because the feelings of others could be overwhelming, but today she was deliberately listening to the city around her. "Paris seems very tense," she said thoughtfully. "Most people worry about the coming war, but others find the prospect exciting. I feel a desire to fight and triumph over France's enemies."
