by Anne Herries
‘He has been questioned, but he won’t break,’ Jack said and fingered the spiralled glass stem before lifting the goblet to drink the deep red burgundy. ‘We know his name is Raoul Viera and that he is working for Bonaparte, but more than that…’ He shrugged. ‘He claims that he is here on legitimate business and had no part in what took place on the beach that night.’
‘He has not named Humble as his accomplice?’
‘He says that he knows no one of that name,’ Jack replied. ‘We know what his business is, for certain documents have gone missing from Headquarters. We believe that these would have been passed on to Humble for money, and he would have sold them to Raoul. The culprit is being watched, because we hope that he may still attempt to pass the documents on. Humble will know that the smugglers were taken, but he may not know that we have the Frenchie. And it is possible that we may strike a deal with Raoul Viera.’
‘What kind of a deal?’
‘We want Humble,’ Jack told him. ‘He was responsible for the deaths of several men—and he has been selling secrets for some months now. We lost sight of him for a while, but then we realised that he had changed his name to Hambleton. As regards the Frenchie, he has some powerful friends this side of the Channel, and unless we have more evidence we might be forced to release him.’
‘Then I wish I had finished him when I had the chance!’ Drew cried angrily. ‘He might have killed Marianne if I had not realised she was there and heard her cry out.’
‘Do I know the lady in question?’
‘I doubt it,’ Drew said. ‘What was all this for if you have decided to let the spy go?’
‘It is the way things work in the diplomatic channels,’ Jack said and smiled wryly. ‘I dare say the life would not suit you, my friend. Sometimes it is better to have half a cake than nothing at all…’
‘How do you know you can trust this Frenchie?’
‘We don’t, of course,’ Jack said. ‘We shall be very reluctant to let him go, make it appear that his friends have won the day. The papers have been changed, though the courier has no knowledge of that and will pass them on in good faith. He will be watched and followed, and arrested once he has done his work. If he makes contact with Humble, we shall keep him under surveillance until he passes the papers on to the Frenchie—and then we shall arrest him. We shall allow Raoul to return to France with the false information.’
‘Did you have this in mind from the beginning?’
‘It was always a possibility,’ Jack said. ‘We’ve known that information was getting out for several months, but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I realised that our traitor might be a part of the chain.’
‘And that is when you came to me. I am sorry I made a mess of it for you. I don’t think I am cut out for this kind of work.’
‘Perhaps not,’ Jack said and laughed. ‘You would prefer to shoot the lot of them and be done with it—lead the charge and mow them down come hell or high water!’
Drew smiled ruefully. ‘It was different in those days, Jack. We were wild and heedless of life.’
‘And now you have something to live for?’ Jack grinned wickedly. ‘Would that be Marianne?’
‘Perhaps,’ Drew said and sipped his wine thoughtfully. ‘I cannot get her out of my head, Jack, though God knows I have tried, because I should not make her happy. Even so, she haunts me waking or sleeping. But seriously—do you think there is a chance that this clerk of yours will lead you to Humble?’
‘Yes, I think there is a good chance. He may not realise that we know as much as we do—and he is probably desperate. He knows the smugglers were caught and he has lost his investment—it was a big cargo, Drew. If he can earn some French gold to tide him over…’
‘I suppose it is worth a try,’ Drew agreed, ‘though I don’t like the idea of letting that Frenchie loose.’
‘He will be watched until he sets sail for France,’ Jack said. ‘He is but one of many, Drew. We have to deal with them as best we can. In this business there is no black and white, but only a murky grey. If we hung him, another would take his place. This way we might gain something from it.’
‘Like the heads of some mythical creature?’ Drew nodded. ‘Cut one off and another grows. So is there anything I can do to help you?’
‘Were you thinking of returning to Cornwall?’
‘Yes, in a matter of days. My business is nearly finished here and I have a wedding to attend.’
‘Not your own?’ Drew shook his head. ‘I trust you will invite me when that happens?’
‘Naturally. What is it that you wish me to do for you?’
‘Just keep your eyes open,’ Jack said. ‘If Humble is desperate, he may return to his lair like a wounded beast. If he should turn up, let me know and I’ll see to it.’
‘You are warning me not to break his neck, I imagine,’ Drew said, a trace of grim humour about his mouth, because his own inclination would have been to shoot first and ask questions afterwards. ‘I can only promise that I will restrain myself if it is possible…but he could be dangerous to people I care about.’ If it were a question of Marianne’s life or the traitor’s, Drew knew that there could be only one choice.
‘I know how you feel,’ Jack pressed hard, ‘but I want him tried and punished according to the law. Besides, he may have information we need.’
Drew inclined his head. ‘If he dares to return, I shall do what I can,’ he said and got to his feet. ‘I think we have kept my chef waiting long enough, Jack. Let us go into dinner before he breaks every dish in the house.’
‘Temperamental, is he?’ Jack laughed and rose, lifting his glass. ‘To absent friends,’ he said and threw the glass into the fireplace where it shattered into tiny fragments.
‘Damnation to the enemy!’ Drew said and threw his glass to shatter against stone, the shards of their glasses mingling in the fireplace.
Later that night, Drew retired to his bedchamber, sighing as he sat in an armchair and allowed Robbie to pull off his boots. Slightly shabby, they were old friends and he clung to them despite the dozen or so pairs of newer ones in his dressing room. Had he employed a valet instead of his faithful batman, they would not have been tolerated.
‘We shall go down to Cornwall in the morning,’ he said. ‘I had planned to wait another day, but I am uneasy, Robbie. Our business there may be unfinished. I think this time I shall take the curricle, and my groom—also the rascal, for he may come in useful to run errands.’ He spoke of the young lad who acted as his tiger when he drove himself.
‘I should say there is more than one affair unfinished, Captain,’ Robbie said. ‘Or have you got cold feet?’
‘Damn you!’ Drew said and glared at him. ‘What the hell do you mean by that?’
‘You know right enough,’ Robbie said and took the boots with him as he left, because he allowed no one else to clean them. ‘You’ll regret it if you lose her—and don’t scowl like that, because you know I’m right.’
‘Get out!’ Drew barked and reached for the decanter of brandy beside the bed. He was frowning as the door closed behind his batman. The devil of it was that Robbie was right.
He had left Sawlebridge in a hurry, because he had needed to speak to Jack, who was then in London. He had been furious that all his efforts had ended in failure. Oh, it was true that they had taken the French spy, and that was due to Marianne’s warning, for if she had not been on the cliffs he would have got away. But it looked as if the Frenchie would be allowed to leave the country carrying his false information, and no retribution taken for past sins. It might be the way that the diplomatic world worked, but it wasn’t for Drew. He would have liked to see both Humble and the French spy hang together.
It wasn’t going to happen. The knowledge brought a bitter taste to his mouth, because Marianne could so easily have died. He had been furious with her for being there, and she had given him as good back. No, better! A reluctant smile tugged at his mouth. Her demure looks were deceiving. There was f
ire in her, as he had known when he kissed her, and though normally the sweetest of girls, she had a temper when roused.
She had been angry because he hadn’t told her the truth of his identity, and perhaps she had a right, though she must have understood his reasons. After their quarrel that night, she would be within her rights to hate him. Drew knew that he might be able to overcome that if he tried—but he had been having second thoughts. Marianne was beautiful, desirable, brave and spirited—and he wanted her with every fibre of his being, wanted to wake up beside her and know that she belonged to him. And yet he had hesitated, half-afraid to take that final step.
Was this feeling that kept him wakeful at night merely lust or did he truly love her? At times, he felt that he knew, but at others he was uncertain. Supposing he woke up one day and discovered that he was restless, that the urge to return to his wild ways had become too strong to resist. It would not be fair to marry her if he could not be the kind of husband she deserved.
He might have cut his business short and returned to her before now, but he had hesitated, because he was afraid of himself…afraid that he might hurt her.
What did he know of love? He had never been shown how to love, never experienced the warmth of family affection or the little things that came from having loving parents and siblings. His uncle had treated him with scrupulous fairness, but he had never been loved…except perhaps by the men he had led into battle, which was another thing.
A woman like Marianne deserved so much more. Would it be fair to take his own happiness and perhaps risk ruining her life?
‘You look beautiful, Jane,’ Marianne said. ‘Doctor Thompson chose wisely when he bought this dress for you.’
‘I do look quite nice,’ Jane said modestly. She touched the strand of lapis lazuli beads at her neck, which had been given to her that morning by Lady Edgeworthy as a personal gift as well as the five hundred pounds. ‘Everything is so pretty—especially the bonnet that you made for me, Marianne. You have spoiled me, because you have given me two hats.’
‘I had finished the green one before I saw your dress,’ Marianne told her with a smile. ‘So I thought you should have two. One is from me—but the other was paid for by Lucy and Mama, so it is their gift to you, even though I fashioned it for you.’
‘Well, you are all very kind,’ Jane said and gathered up her posy of flowers, picked from the garden by Lucy that morning and tied with a blue ribbon. Mrs Horne had lent her a white leather prayer book to carry, and she had an old lace garter that had belonged to Lady Edgeworthy as a girl. ‘I think I am ready to go down now, Marianne.’
Marianne nodded and kissed her, following Jane from the room. She stood back and allowed Jane to go down the stairs ahead of her so that everyone could admire her and shower her with good wishes and compliments. And then they were all trooping out to the carriages. Marianne was to go in the first with Jane and Major Barr, who had agreed to give Jane away in place of the father she had lost years before. Lady Edgeworthy, Mama and Lucy would follow in the second carriage.
It was just a short drive to the church, which stood at the edge of the estate. A small crowd of villagers had gathered outside the church to see her arrive, and when the wedding party entered, they followed behind and sat on the pews at the back. Amongst the general noise and chatter, one more guest slipped in unnoticed and took his seat in a pew near the back of the church.
Marianne was Jane’s maid of honour, and Mr Pembroke stood up with Dr Thompson as his best man. The congregation rose for the first hymn and their voices filled the small church with song, for it was a popular wedding. Doctor Thompson was generally liked, even worshipped by some of the poor folk he attended, and the whole village had turned out to see him wed.
Marianne had moist eyes as she watched her friend take her vows, for Jane’s happiness shone out of her like a beacon. She took the bride’s posy when Jane and Dr Thompson went to sign the register, and then the bride and groom were back and the bells were ringing out as they all walked from the church.
Jane was showered by rose petals and ducked her head as she ran laughing towards the carriage waiting to take her back to the house. Lady Edgeworthy was giving a small reception for them, and it would be a merry party that gathered there that afternoon.
It was just as Marianne was about to get into her aunt’s carriage that something made her turn her head. Her eyes were drawn to a man who was staring at her, and her heart began to race as he inclined his head to her.
Drew had come back for Jane’s wedding just as he had promised! For a moment hope soared within her, but in another moment it vanished, for there had been time enough for him to speak to her as they waited for the happy pair to come out of church had he wished it. Besides, he had looked serious, the bold smile that always made her heart sing unaccountably missing.
Was he still angry with her? Her own anger had cooled. She understood that he might have had good reason for not telling her his real name, and yet it did not explain his behaviour since that night. If he cared for her at all, he would surely have written. Even if he were too busy to come down before, he could have sent her a note.
She ducked her head as she got into the carriage. She must hide her feelings of disappointment, because it was Jane’s wedding day and she did not wish to spoil it for her friend.
All Jane’s guests were known to her, other than two gentlemen who were friends of Dr Thompson. One was a man in his late years, who merely smiled at her and walked away to talk to Major Barr about something. However, the second gentleman was a man of perhaps thirty, tall and attractive, with soft dark eyes. He told her that he was also a doctor, but he worked in London and his patients were the poor of the slums of the city.
‘Simon chose to come here,’ he told Marianne. ‘But I have found my vocation in London, for there is so much poverty and few to care for the weak and the helpless.’
‘You must be dedicated to your work, Doctor Barton,’ she said. ‘I admire you for your compassion. I know that Dr Thompson is much troubled by the condition of many of those he treats here, and I dare say it may be worse in town.’
‘At least here they have fresh air,’ Doctor Barton said. ‘Though I imagine the work in the mines is as hard as the factories and there is not much to choose between the two.’
‘No, I suppose not,’ Marianne said. ‘It is good to know that someone like you does what he can.’
‘I am fortunate enough to have inherited enough money to allow me to do my work as I please,’ he told her with a smile. ‘I have a good house and a comfortable living, and consider that it is my privilege to help others.’
Marianne nodded approvingly. ‘You are a generous man, sir.’
‘Oh, no, I should not want you to think me deserving of too much praise,’ Dr Barton said. ‘I enjoy my life and I have many friends, though as yet no wife. I envy Simon and his good fortune. Jane is a lovely girl and just the kind of wife a doctor needs.’
‘Yes, she is,’ Marianne said. ‘She is looking my way. Excuse me, I must go. Perhaps we may speak again later?’
‘I should like that very much,’ he said, his eyes warm with admiration as they rested on her face.
Marianne went over to Jane, who wanted to show her something. She had a slender box in her hand, which she opened to show Marianne a gold chain set with sapphires and diamonds.
‘Look what Lord Marlbeck sent for me,’ she said. ‘Is it not wonderful? I cannot imagine why he has given me such a gift. It must be very expensive and I could never have expected it.’
‘I believe he is extremely wealthy,’ Marianne said. ‘I am sure he thought you deserved it, Jane. I think he likes Dr Thompson.’ She glanced across the room and saw that Dr Thompson, Dr Barton and Lord Marlbeck were talking together and apparently enjoying each other’s company, because they were laughing.
‘Yes, but it was very kind,’ Jane said, ‘though I am not sure that I shall ever have the occasion to wear something like this.’
‘Then you may keep it for the future,’ Marianne told her. ‘Perhaps for your daughter’s wedding?’
‘Oh yes, if we have one,’ Jane said. ‘Everyone has been generous to us, Marianne. We have so many lovely gifts, and the villagers sent us a cask of brandy…though I am not sure that it ever paid duty.’
‘I dare say it may not have,’ Marianne said and laughed. ‘But I should not let it concern you. It is their way of thanking Dr Thompson for all he has done for them.’
Mr Pembroke came up to them then, engaging Jane in conversation. Marianne walked away to speak to her sister, who was talking to Major Barr and seemed to be getting on very well with him. Lucy turned as Marianne came up to her.
‘Major Barr has a copy of Grimms’ Fairytales, which he has promised to lend me—is that not kind of him?’
‘Yes, indeed,’ Marianne said. Her eyes strayed to where the three gentlemen had been standing, her heart jerking as she saw that Drew was no longer with them. Where had he gone? For a moment her throat was tight and the tears burned as she imagined that he had left without speaking to her.
‘Marianne?’
His voice behind her made her heart race. She closed her eyes for a moment, turning to him in the instant it took to open them again.
‘Lord Marlbeck,’ she said. ‘It was good of you to come down for Jane’s wedding. She was very pleased with your gift. It was beautiful.’
‘A mere bauble I picked up in town,’ Dew said, his eyes on her face. ‘I did not come down just for her wedding, Marianne.’
‘Did you come to catch another French spy?’ Lucy asked. She smiled at him engagingly, her innocent manner free of any restraint. ‘It all sounds very exciting, Lord Marlbeck. Did you catch all the smugglers—or did some get away? Have you caught the traitor yet?’
‘Lucy,’ Marianne reproved gently. ‘This is neither the time or the place to ask such questions.’