A Safe House

4

Stone returned from the cockpit and sat down with Jenna and Dino. “We’re about half an hour out,” he said. “Dinner at the house will be awaiting our pleasure. You’ll have time to freshen up and change, if you wish. But dinner will be informal, in the study instead of the dining room.”

“Will anyone else be there?”

“If so, I haven’t been informed of that,” Stone replied. “But Dame Felicity will pop in, unannounced, at some point, and it could even be this evening.”

“I imagine her as looking something like Agatha Christie,” Jenna said.

Stone and Dino both laughed aloud.

“Not in the least,” Stone said. “We’ve started our descent, so you’d better buckle up.” The descent was rapid, and there was only one turn required to line up with the runway.

“Is that your house?” Jenna asked, looking out a window when they were on short final.

“Yes,” Stone replied.

“It’s very handsome.”

“Thank you.”

The aircraft touched down gently and rolled to a stop in front of a large hangar, painted green to blend in with the landscape. A couple of vehicles sat on the tarmac before it. The plane’s engines died, and an attendant opened the cabin door, with its airstairs.

“You’ll meet Major Bugg now. He runs the estate and the house,” Stone said.

The major greeted everyone and was introduced to Jenna without a mention of her name. “We’re very happy to have you with us,” he said to their guest. “My staff and I are at your disposal, if you need anything at all.”

“Thank you, Major Bugg,” she replied and got into the waiting Range Rover, the door of which was held open. They were driven to the house, while another vehicle followed with their luggage. Once there Major Bugg escorted Jenna to a large, beautifully furnished room, with a fireplace and some furniture at one end.

“Mr. Barrington requested that you be next door to him, should you need his attention,” he explained.

“That’s kind of him,” Jenna replied.

Stone appeared in the doorway. “Please join us in the study — downstairs, then on your right,” he said. “Drinks in half an hour. But take as long as you wish.”

Stone unpacked what little he had brought, since he already had a wardrobe in place. He showered, changed, and walked downstairs. He was only a little surprised to find Dame Felicity Devonshire sitting next to the fire with a martini on the small table beside her.

“Felicity!” Stone cried and bent to kiss her lightly on the lips.

“I’d want more than that, if I didn’t have to redo my lipstick,” she said. “So, where is your guest?”

“She’s upstairs doing whatever it is that women do before coming downstairs.”

“I’ve read her dossier,” she said, “courtesy of Lance Cabot.”

“That is a courtesy I was not extended,” Stone said. “Lance went to extraordinary lengths to conceal her departure with us. I didn’t even know she was a woman until we had left New York air space, but I managed to grill her fairly closely on the ride over.”

“That husband of hers is a proper swine, isn’t he?”

“We did not delve into that subject; perhaps tomorrow. It would be kind of you to leave her file with me, so that I have time to brush up on her story and situation before speaking to her again.”

“Her story is fascinating,” Dame Felicity said, “and her situation dire. I hope you can protect her.”

“Dino is along to help, so I think between the two of us and the staff, we can manage that.”

As if on cue, Dino entered, looking well-pressed and thirsty and greeted Felicity properly.

“I see your wife has escaped your clutches again,” Felicity said.

“Yeah, she’s sneaky that way; always off to someplace I can’t pronounce — on business, she claims.”

“Then she doesn’t deserve you.”

“She has never heard those words spoken, so don’t you start.”

Jenna now made her entrance, somewhat tentatively, as if she weren’t sure she had found the right room.

Stone and Dino were on their feet. “Come in, Jenna,” Stone said. “Dame Felicity, may I introduce Ms. Jenna Jacoby? Jenna, this is Dame Felicity Devonshire, of whom I have spoken.”

The two women shook hands. “Just plain Felicity will do nicely,” the elder one said.

“How do you do?” Jenna replied, offering a smile. Stone had not seen her smile until now, and he thought it becoming.

Stone tended bar for everyone, then took a seat next to Jenna. “Felicity has already read what the British call your dossier, so she won’t have to grill you as I have.”

“Thank heavens for that,” she replied. “I’m not sure I have it in me to repeat all that.”

“I trust Stone and his people have made you comfortable,” Felicity said.

“Very much so,” Jenna replied. “It’s a lovely house, Stone, inside and out.”

“I’m glad you think so,” Stone replied.

“My dear,” Felicity said. “If Stone becomes too demanding of your attentions, I’m just across the river, and I’ll send my boatman for you. There you can find peace and solitude.”

“Oh, I think I’ve already found peace here, and lately, I’ve had more solitude than I need. It’s nice to have some company, though Dino has hardly spoken since I met him.”

“I was stunned into silence,” Dino said.

“Don’t worry,” Stone said, “by the time he starts his second Scotch, he’ll be talking your ear off.”

“I’ll look forward to that,” Jenna said.

They dined in the study on Dover sole, and after dessert and cheese, Felicity said, “If you will all forgive me, I’ve had a long day. Stone, will you walk me to my cart?”

“Of course,” he said, and he escorted her out of the house to a waiting golf cart, driven by a staffer.

Felicity kissed him properly, unmindful of her lipstick. “You be careful with that girl,” she said. “I can tell that she’s been deeply wounded. Let her heal a bit before you seduce her.”

“I?” Stone asked in mock outrage.

“If you find yourself in need of a good fuck,” she said, “come see me.” Then the cart drove her away toward the river.

“I’ll count on that,” Stone called after her, then he returned to the house.