Nevertheless, he was pleased the Consul was keeping watch over his brother, mother, and stepfather, too. Alexander decided he would stay at the dowager cottage with their mother for the duration of Mr. Ness’s illness, for which Crispin was glad.
“I cannot fathom how you kept this part of your life hidden for so many years,” Ben said. “You were eighteen when you were recruited, for heaven’s sake. You had plenty of time to confide in me.”
Crispin shrugged. “I suspect you were too preoccupied with your own interests to notice what I was up to.”
“Yes, because it could not have anything to do with you being tight-lipped.”
“In my line of work, that was a requirement.”
When Crispin had approached Ben about booking passage on one of the ships owned by Hillary Shipping, Crispin was honest about his situation. He was tired of lying to those who would never betray him.
Besides, the papers were already filled with stories of Lord and Lady Van Middleburg’s arrests as well as those of their co-conspirators. The truth would be revealed in time. Miraculously, there was no mention of Lord Geoffrey’s involvement or his murder in the papers—only tales of the Duke of Stanhurst’s heroic rescue of several people from a house fire.
Stanhurst was either very lucky, or he had befriended every editor in Town. Whatever the case, Crispin was pleased for him. The duke had been cleared of any wrongdoing by the authorities, and his reputation seemed to be on the mend.
“Socializing with kings often results in unwanted attention,” Ben said. “If His Majesty insists on an armed escort, you will have an armed escort.”
Crispin grunted. “I would not classify our meeting as a social occasion. I am his servant.” Albeit, Crispin’s duties were no longer beyond what was expected of every other loyal subject.
After Crispin’s audience with the Lord Chamberlain, he had been called before the King. Crispin had expected to be questioned thoroughly, and with prejudice. His Majesty had discovered Farrin and promoted him to head of the Regent’s Consul, after all. In the end, however, the King had simply thanked Crispin for his service and granted his request to be released from the Consul.
Ben shaded his eyes and looked toward the ship’s railing where Sophia, her great-aunt, and their lady’s maid were viewing the fanfare with wide-eyed interest. “You should grow accustomed to attracting attention, Margrave. Your betrothed is breathtaking.”
Crispin turned to admire his brave little bride-to-be. The sun hanging on the horizon lit her hair and created a halo around her that made her appear very much like the angel after whom she was named.
“Sophia is beautiful,” he said, his chest puffing with pride, “but she is more than she appears.”
Ben chuckled and clapped a hand on Crispin’s shoulder. “As a happily married gent, I feel qualified to say the best ladies always are.”
Crispin smiled at his oldest friend. “Thank you for allowing us the use of one of your ships.” He hadn’t expected to be the only travelers onboard the cargo ship, but Ben had insisted.
“My brother assures me Captain Emerson and his crew are to be trusted. He was Daniel’s first mate for many years.” Ben called to the captain on deck. “Patch, come allow me to make introductions.”
The man’s barrel chest was as broad as a bull’s, and he descended the gangplank with powerful strides. Ben presented the captain and asked him all the questions Crispin had posed to Ben earlier. Once the captain answered to Crispin’s satisfaction, Crispin bade his friend good-bye and joined the ladies onboard.
As he approached, Beatrice’s devil-hound wiggled free of her arms, landed with a thump, and tore across the deck.
Beatrice yelled for the little dog to come back, but he paid her no mind as he dashed between the seamen’s legs and barreled toward Crispin. Sophia and her lady’s maid gave chase.
“He is going to escape,” Sophia shouted to Crispin. “Stop him!”
The blasted troublemaker ran straight to him and jumped, but Crispin wasn’t fast enough to grab him before he crashed back to the deck. The dog ran circles around him, yipping loudly and causing a general ruckus. Sophia and her lady’s maid tried to catch him, too, but he evaded their outstretched arms.
“Cupid, look here!” As if by magic, Beatrice conjured a piece of fatty ham from her reticule and waggled it back and forth in front of her face. “Come get your treat, precious.”
At the sound of the word ‘treat’, the poodle stopped in his tracks and cocked his head. He spied the meat in Beatrice’s hands and shot in her direction. Safe in her arms again, she hugged him to her bosom.
“I should take him below deck,” she said. “Joy, will you help unpack my trunks?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The loyal and most certainly patient lady’s maid hurried after Sophia’s aunt.
Crispin sighed and offered his arm to Sophia. They moved to the railing to watch the men unmoor the ship.
She tipped her pretty face toward him, her blue eyes like glittering gems. “Thank you for agreeing to allow Auntie to bring Cupid. I know he can be trying, but she loves him so.”
“This is going to be a long journey,” he muttered, knowing he would endure the little dog’s antics because it made Sophia happy.
“It could be.” Sophia chuckled softly and rested her head on his shoulder as the ship drifted away from the dock. “But I will endeavor to make it an enjoyable one.”
“You already are, darling.” He brushed a kiss across her silky hair and smiled, savoring the warmth of her body close and her sweet scent. “You already are.”
The Gentlemen of Intrigue Series
Book 1: SECRETS TO A GENTLEMAN’S HEART
The truth is in his kiss . . .
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Book 2: RESISTING ROMEO
Love deserves an encore . . .
* * *
Book 3: A LADY TO REMEMBER
A night he longs to forget . . .
Books by Samantha Grace
THE DUKE OF DANBURY: HALLIDAY SISTERS SERIES
Twice Upon a Time
One Less Only Earl
NOVELLA
Charming a Scoundrel
BEAU MONDE BACHELORS SERIES
Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel
Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half
Miss Lavigne’s Little White Lie
Lady Vivian Defies a Duke
RIVAL ROGUES SERIES
One Rogue Too Many
In Bed with a Rogue
Kissed by a Scottish Rogue
The Best of Both Rogues
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About the Author
RITA-nominated historical romance author, Samantha Grace, discovered the appeal of a great love story at the age of four, thanks to Disney’s “Robin Hood”. She didn’t care that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first HEA experience, and she never wanted the warm fuzzies to end. Now that Samantha is grown, she enjoys creating her own happy-endings for characters that spring from her imagination. Publisher’s Weekly describes her stories as “fresh and romantic” with subtle humor and charm. Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever. Part-time medical social worker, moonlighting author, and a lover of history, Samantha lives in the Midwest with her family.
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Lord Margrave's Secret Desire Page 31