At the Earl's Convenience

by Maggi Andersen

  “If only you could have come and told me, said goodbye…”

  “I left word for you to be returned safely to Bath. I could only hope that I’d survive, and that you’d forgive me. The last thing I expected was for you to go to Halcrow Hall. It was in such a bad state. But you wrought miracles didn’t you, sweetheart? I couldn’t believe my eyes. Thought I was hallucinating when I arrived, suffering from fever.”

  “I did it for you, Giles.”

  “I know you did, and my gratitude has no bounds.” He kissed her lightly on the mouth. “I couldn’t reveal anything about my mission. If I’d come to see you at the inn, I knew you wouldn’t have let me go without an explanation, and I would have had to lie.” He stretched out beside her. “Funny how important that seemed, not to lie to you.

  “Wellington was happy for me to resign my commission and attend to important family matters, but first, he needed me to act as an agent in France. I returned there. I had been in the country earlier, gathering intelligence information. The fact that my mother was French made me perfect for the role the general chose for me. I’m fluent in the language and have useful connections in Paris.”

  “What was the mission? Can you tell me more?” Selina asked.

  “I had worked previously under Lieutenant-Colonel Colquhoun Grant as an exploring officer, gathering information near the Spanish-Portuguese border. I wasn’t with him when the French captured him. They hoped to milk Grant of information about Wellington, but they got nothing from him. Whilst the French held him captive, Wellington received word that Marshall Marmont, Napoléon’s trusted Commander, was willing to make an exchange of prisoners. Wellington was suspicious because the letter was written en Clair.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “In plain script rather than a cipher. Wellington wished me to aid Grant’s escape from Paris where he was continuing his work as a spy, and this I did.”

  “Just like that?”

  “A story for another time, my love.” He put a finger to her lips.

  “A little more, please.”

  “In Paris, Grant and I passed ourselves off as American officers to get closer to Napoléon’s spy network. In France, the police deal with spies. They threw a man who worked with us, Pierre Delaunay, into prison. I dressed as a French officer and used false papers to get him out.”

  “I found his daughter’s letter in the library, thanking you for rescuing her father.”

  “On my way out of the country, I was recognized and arrested. The French knocked me around a bit, trying to get me to reveal my mission, but a chance to escape came when the guard fell asleep. You saw the sorry state I was in when I returned.”

  She caressed the lean muscle of his stomach and laid her head on his chest, listening to the steady thud of his heartbeat. “You must go soon,” she urged, hating to say it.

  “Not if you do that.” His hands on her bottom pulled her against him, and she felt his erection. “Damn, I want to make love to you again.”

  “We shall have the rest of our lives for that.” She moved away and imbued her voice with meaning, although it cost her a lot to say it.

  “You’re right, my sensible wife.” He drew the words out regretfully, his voice gravelly. Did he truly believe he’d survive and return to her?

  “Who are these men after you, Giles?”

  “Napoléon has a personal vendetta against me. He’s sent his agents to deal with me.”

  “Oh, no!” Were Scovell’s men in position? She wanted Giles safely away from this house. Every minute he spent here was dangerous. “I’m frightened, Giles.”

  “Don’t be, my love. When I show myself, the spies will enter the trap and be dealt with.”

  But what if they weren’t? What if they got to Giles first? She desperately wanted more reassurance, but how could he give it? She wouldn’t ask for it, and she wouldn’t cry.

  “I need to tell you all of it. When I came home and saw how hard you’d worked, how strong and resourceful and brave you’d been, I felt deeply ashamed. I was disappointed that I hadn’t contributed anything to Halcrow Hall’s restoration. In the beginning, Selina, I have to admit I desired you as I did many pretty women. But I came to care for you. I became alarmed at who might be lurking on the estate, so I sent you to your sister in Bath. I planned to make things right when you returned. Then I received a letter from a true friend and colleague, warning me some people were denigrating my name. Wellington was too busy on the Continent to support me. Word was out that I was working for Napoléon as a spy and members of the government, as well as the French, were after my head. Even Halcrow Hall had become a dangerous place, perhaps for you too. I came to London to try and sort it out but was immediately forced into hiding.”

  “But why would Wellington treat you so poorly after what you’d done for England? They should acclaim you a national hero. Not disown you.”

  “Spies are easily dispensed with. That’s part of the job. Don’t take it personally. I don’t.”

  “Well, I do take it personally, and if I ever meet Wellington, I’ll tell him so.”

  Giles chuckled. “A spy can never confirm or deny their position. George Scovell advised me to go into hiding to save my skin. At least until he could bring Wellington’s attention to it, to sort the problem out. Scovell had arranged for me to liaise through another man, but when that man was murdered, I went to ground.

  “I was considering my options when I read your message in The Times. The spy network sometimes places messages there, but I hadn’t expected that! Your words made me laugh, Selina. For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful for the future.”

  “I couldn’t help wondering when you found the time to socialize with Lady Rowntree,” Selina said, hating the jealous tone of her voice.

  “I’ve never met her. I knew a Phillip Rowntree at Cambridge.”

  “What about her cousin, Rafe Brocklehurst?”

  “He’s a stranger to me too, Selina. Stay away from them both.”

  “They are in thick with Lord Pemberton. And he is watching for you.”

  “I can’t believe that Pem would wish ill of me,” he said thoughtfully, “but patriotism can turn friends into enemies.” Giles went to the window and peeked through the curtains. “The full moon makes things difficult. I can see movement down there. I’ll go over the rooftops. Don’t worry. It’s how I came.”

  The thought of him leaping over the rooftops made her still with horror.

  He came back to kiss her, his naked body against hers, his mouth taking needy possession of her lips. She reached up to stroke his hair, dreading letting him go. Would she ever see him again? When he drew away, she bit her lip to stop from crying, not wanting him to remember her that way. “I’ll wait here for news.”

  He shrugged into his clothes. “No. Go back to Halcrow Hall, Selina. Wait for me there. I’ll come as soon as I can.”

  Before Selina could argue the point, he climbed onto the windowsill and was gone. A shout rose up, and she dragged back a corner of the curtain to peer down into the street. She stiffened at the sound of a pistol shot ricocheting through the air, to be followed in quick succession by two more.

  “Giles!” She moaned and shivered with cold and fear as someone ran down the street. It was too dark to make out what was happening. Had Giles escaped over the rooftops? When she heard the pounding footfall of more men, she held her clenched fists to her mouth.

  Then it was quiet.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Spring had come to Halcrow Hall. The trees in the park were in fresh green leaf and the air filled with the sweet sounds of birds nesting. Selina marveled at the miracle the changes had wrought to the gardens. The breeze carried the scent of lilacs, roses, and wisteria through the carriage window.

  The windows of the old house gleamed in the sunlight, the ivy-covered walls trimmed as carefully as the sideburns of a dandy.

  Frobisher, Joseph, and a new footman, Adam, waited to greet her.

 
Against Giles’ instructions, she’d waited in London for a sennight. She hadn’t dared consult Scovell. She was afraid of what he might tell her. At least Amelia and Rafe hadn’t contacted her again.

  She felt drained, hollow, and lifeless. Halcrow Hall was resplendent, but the beautiful place meant nothing without Giles. Joseph helped her down from the carriage, and Selina went to greet Frobisher, aware that she must prepare herself for the uncertainty ahead.

  Selina had been home for ten days. She wandered the rose garden cutting blooms and placing them in her basket. A horse’s hooves rang out on the gravel as a rider approached the house. Throwing down her basket and scattering roses, she fisted her gown and ran, her bonnet sailing off behind her.

  In front of the house, Giles jumped down from his horse and threw the reins to Joseph.

  “Giles!” The breeze caught Selina’s voice, but it was lost in the din of birdsong. Breathless, she skirted a stone wall.

  Giles turned his head in her direction. She rushed toward him with her skirts gathered up around her knees.

  He ran to meet her and swept her up, swinging her around.

  She gazed up into his face, searching for signs of illness. Her breath caught. He looked well, his arms strong around her. “Oh, Giles, I was afraid I’d never see you again.”

  He put her down and brushed a lock of hair away from her cheek, smiling. “Where is your hat?”

  She laughed, threw her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his. His arms tightened, drawing her close.

  “Oh, Lord, my love, have a care,” he said, laughing. “Aristocrats don’t show their spouses affection in public.”

  “It’s good that I am not one,” she said, trailing a finger down his cheek. His face was leaner, but the tension was gone, and his blue eyes were filled with laughter.

  “It is indeed. We’ll be the envy of the ton. Come upstairs. Or should we venture deeper into the garden? I fancy making love to you in the gazebo.”

  “Now that would be scandalous, my lord. We now have a fleet of gardeners.”

  “For another time, then.” His gaze held a promise, which thrilled her.

  They walked arm in arm to the house where Frobisher waited, his lined face a wreath of smiles.

  “Hallo old man,” Giles said.

  “It’s good to see you, my lord.” Frobisher straightened his shoulders.

  Giles stood in the middle of the polished Great Hall, scented with beeswax and lilac. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see this again.”

  Selina’s chin trembled, and her hand on his arm pulled him against her as they climbed the stairs together.

  He gazed around at her bedchamber. “This was my mother’s room.”

  “Yes. Do you mind?”

  “I don’t fancy making love to you here,” he said, amused. “We’ll move into the green suite in the west wing. It has a better view of the lake.”

  “I’ll give the order to prepare it.”

  He caught her by the waist. “I find I don’t mind that much.” Giles spun her around and brought his mouth down on hers and, with an intake of breath, deepened the kiss.

  At the knock on the door, Giles drew away frowning. “Who the devil is foolish enough to knock?”

  “Hush.” Selina put a finger to his lips. “Come in.”

  Alice stood in the doorway, rubbing one foot against the other. “Milady, Cook was wondering what his lordship wished for luncheon. And if you and his lordship planned to take your meal in the library as usual.”

  “We’ll have the game pie, cold mutton, and salad. In the dining room, thank you, Alice.”

  As the door closed, Giles grinned. “I suspect life at Halcrow will be run much like the army.”

  “On its stomach?” She put her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “Shall we go down? I’ll have the green suite made ready, and I confess I can’t wait to hear what happened after you left me.”

  He lifted her chin with his finger and gazed into her eyes. “We have a date after luncheon, then, my lady.” He pressed a brief kiss to her lips then reluctantly released her.

  Selina had never taken a meal in the dining room. The lofty proportions intimidated her even now. The mahogany table was long enough for more than half a dozen people to sleep end to end, the fireplace breathtaking in both detail and scale. Gilt-framed paintings decorated the walls, and a massive crystal chandelier hung from the ornate green-and-gold painted ceiling.

  The servants had laid a place at each end of the table. “I shan’t hear you from here.” She moved to sit beside him. “I’d prefer to eat in the library in future unless we have guests. Now. Tell me all.”

  Giles’ blue eyes widened. “Selina, I cannot tell you all.”

  “Then at least tell me what happened after you exited by my window.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve told you more than I should. My work must remain secret.”

  She examined her fork. “This silver needs a good clean.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You believe you can wheedle it out of me in the throes of passion?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Such is a woman’s power.”

  He laughed. “We shall see who’s strongest then, shall we? I’ve been tortured by experts.”

  “My poor love.” Her breath caught, and she reached out to take his hand and brought it to her lips.

  “Don’t, sweetheart.” Giles groaned. “You’ll be the undoing of me.”

  Their conversation paused as the servants entered with covered dishes. Frobisher hovered with the wine.

  “Frobisher?” Giles said, gazing into Selina’s eyes.

  “Yes, my lord?”

  “Go away. We shall call you when we need you.”

  “Very well, my lord.”

  “Giles,” Selina said as the door closed. “I think you’ve hurt his feelings. He has been looking forward to you coming home.”

  “I’ll make it up to him tomorrow. I’ll have him down in the cellar selecting wines for a house party.”

  “A party? How delightful. Who shall we invite?”

  “Friends I’ve seen little of for some time.” He drew a small cloth drawstring bag from his pocket. “I brought these from London. They might have been made for you.”

  Selina took the bag from him and upended it into her hand. A sparkling emerald necklace wreathed in diamonds with matching earrings fell out. “Giles! They are breathtaking. What a way to carry them.”

  “It was safer.”

  “I must have a gown made to complement them.”

  “Yes. But first, I look forward to seeing you naked with those around your pretty neck.” His heavy-eyed glance never failed to warm her to her toes.

  “Giles!” Selina put her hands to her hot cheeks. He had never seen her unclothed in the cold light of day. “What if the servants hear such talk?”

  “They’ll have to grow used to it.”

  A footman brought in a dish of apple pie, an apricot tart, and a jug of cream.

  “I can tell you, at least, that this sorry business I’ve dragged you into is at an end,” Giles said when the servant had gone.

  Selina drew in a sharp breath. “For good?” She could hardly believe it.

  He nodded. “Wellington has finally voiced his appreciation of the value of the intelligence dispatches we provided him. And he’s stated to all concerned that I was working solely for the British. When the war ends, he intends to acknowledge it. His letter mentioned something about consulting the Prince of Wales about a marquisate.”

  “As it should be, for you are a hero,” Selina said passionately. “What about Lord Pemberton, Rafe, and Lady Rowntree?”

  “Pem remains a staunch friend; in fact he wishes to apologize for being taken in by those two. I can count him as one of my loyal friends and hope he will attend our house party. Or a hunt ball perhaps? And it’s time we had your sister visit.”

  Warmth radiated through her body at the real
ization that Giles wanted to settle into life here with her. But she was impatient to learn more. “In what way was Lord Pemberton taken in?” she asked impatiently. “You can surely tell me a little, Giles.”

  He grinned while gently swirling the wine around his crystal glass. “Such an impatient woman I have married.” He took a sip. “Lady Amelia Rowntree, so called, and her bogus cousin were French spies. They inveigled their way into London society claiming Amelia was Phillip Rowntree’s wife. When news reached London that Phillip’s body had been found on his estate in Yorkshire with a bullet in his head, Amelia left England in a hurry. Rafe had been sent to kill me. He was shot that night.”

  Selina gasped. “He was waiting outside for you when you left me?”

  “He and two other men. They were all dispatched to Hades.” Giles reached across and squeezed her hand. You were associating with very dangerous people, my love.”

  Selina shivered. Had Giles killed Rafe? She would never ask him. “I suspected there was something false about that pair, but…murderers!”

  Giles kissed her hand. “Come, we have things to discuss upstairs.”

  As they crossed the Great Hall, Mrs. Lark appeared. “The green suite has been made ready, my lady.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Lark,” Selina said.

  “Please relay my compliments to Cook, Mrs. Lark,” Giles said. “The game pie was superb.”

  They climbed the stairs laughing at an amusing childhood anecdote Giles related. His arm around her waist, she remembered their passionate night together in London. She’d relived every detail over the past few weeks. When she saw the intent in his gaze, heat spread through her body.

  Selina hadn’t turned her attention to the green suite. The intricately carved, heavy walnut furniture didn’t appeal to her. Unattractive green damask decorated the windows and the four-poster bed. Green-and-brown patterned carpet covered the floor. However, the windows did have a splendid view of the lake.

  “This was my father’s room.” With a pleased look around, Giles shut the door.