“Yetta.” He took the chain and then leaned down for a kiss. He paused two inches away and chuckled when a chorus of impatience sounded from the two coaches. “Guess I’ll save that part for later.”
Tucking her hand in the crook of his elbow, she led him down the walk. Soon enough he would be back to normal, back to work, wherever Pinkerton might send him. But not alone anymore.
He shot her a grin as they neared her family. “You know, my father’s a minister. Our families will all be together…”
Her pulse thrummed. “And?”
That smirk she loved appeared as he leaned close. “And we could be married by this time tomorrow, once my parents stop hating you.”
A laugh tickling her throat, she gathered her skirt in preparation of the step into the carriage. “Tempting.”
“Yeah?” He sounded one part surprised and four parts hopeful.
Foregoing the social whirl of an engagement and forging ahead into a lifetime of new memories? She let the laugh bloom full. “Very tempting indeed.”
Discussion Questions
1. In the first chapter, Marietta learns devastating secrets about the Hugheses. Have you ever learned something about someone that completely redefined your relationship?
2. Would you ever join a secret society? Why or why not? What type might you consider being a part of?
3. Who is your favorite character and why?
4. Brotherhood is a central theme in the book, represented in many different ways. Have you experienced any of the varieties of sibling relationships—or spiritual brotherhood—that the characters have?
5. Marietta’s amazing memory was inspired by true stories I heard of people reading with their eyes closed after glancing at a book’s pages. What are some amazing stories of the human mind that you’ve heard?
6. Slade and Marietta both have what could be called checkered pasts. How do you think the Lord took their flaws and used them to His glory?
7. Several times through the book, Marietta reflects on the truth that forgiveness of sin does not negate the consequences of sin. Have you ever seen an example of this?
8. Walker and Cora and their family will face many changes in the next years, as the nation adjusts to new laws…and in some ways changes very little. What do you think their future will look like? What do you think will become of Elsie?
9. Slade learns by the end of the book that he cannot do anything alone. How have you found that family and friends affect your goals?
10. The secret workings of the Knights of the Golden Circle were really referenced in one of Lincoln’s speeches as “the fifth column”—an actual, if invisible, part of the Confederate war machine. Why do you think they had the successes they did? Why do you think they experienced so many failures? How does this relate to the successes and failures of all the characters in Circle of Spies?
Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed journeying with the Culpers into the Civil War! In the first two books in the series, espionage and intelligence gathering were considered dirty business best suited to lowlife rabble. By this time spies were everywhere, working on both sides. I had so much fun bringing agents from three different organizations into one clash, even if it made me a bit dizzy at times. ;-)
I loved weaving a few threads through the entire series—the pearl necklace, sign language, and the book of prayers. The prayers were taken from Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions compiled by Arthur Bennet and used by permission.
I wanted to take a moment to discuss the Hughes’s railroad ties. Though I based the facts of the railroad culture and locations upon the B&O line, I in no way wanted to indicate that the president of the Baltimore & Ohio was in any way connected to the KGC. He was, in fact, one of the most valuable assets of the Union. Which is, of course, what made me wonder, “But what if he hadn’t been?” And so my fictitious Hughes family was born…and hence why the railroad is never specifically named.
The Pinkertons are another group I have always had fun imagining scenarios for. Despite some of the terrible incidents they were involved in surrounding union strikes, Allan Pinkerton created something new and pretty cool with his team of detectives. They were the Union’s primary source of intelligence in the Civil War, and he is known for his investigative techniques of “shadowing” and “assuming a role.” These were techniques my Culpers were already using, so I thought it right and proper to have them working together, however unbeknownst to my detective at the time.