“No siesta for me yet,” Owens answered and sat back upright.
Everleigh set his glass down and cleared his throat. “There is more to tell. The driver who had been in confinement was found hanged.”
Catalina did not know why, but hearing that news made her whole body feel chilled. “Was it by his own hand?”
“My suspicion is no,” Everleigh replied quietly. “It was made to look as though it was a suicide.”
Catalina’s mind raced. Although her instinct told her this went far deeper than Dion and the Spanish contingent, she had no suggestions to offer otherwise. “And what of our new task?”
“We have a list of people to follow, but if my suspicions are correct, Knight will return with a more detailed list and we may narrow our suspects.”
“May I see this list?”
Owens and Everleigh exchanged glances again.
“What is it?” she asked, though in her heart she knew. “My father is on the list,” she said, not bothering to phrase it as a question.
Chapter Eleven
Felix rode to a small café that Lady Catalina had recommended to meet his brother, Edmund. He wore his disguise in order to see how effective it was. With a full beard that he had not shaved since prison, and dressed in his commoner’s clothing, peasant’s hat pulled low, it ought to be—and he had done this often enough that he was not worried. Edmund should be in no danger from the French at this distance from the encampment.
Bright red and purple flowers poured from windowsills and seemed to crawl up every wall in the coastal town. He traversed the steep, narrow paths and streets, winding through the white stone terrace houses that were small but tidy. He left his horse at a posting inn a few streets from the café and walked in a stooped fashion to practice.
There was no one else there when he arrived, several minutes early, and he sat down to wait with a rich cup of coffee. Many thoughts had swirled through his head as he had ridden there this morning, until a few things had become clear to him. The kiss between Catalina and him should not have happened. She had initiated it, but he had not resisted – in fact, quite the opposite. It did not mean it was a good idea. There was no future for them and he would have to make certain she understood that.
There was a reason spies were told not to become involved with their colleagues… although this was a highly unusual situation. Catalina was not precisely a colleague, yet he had been ordered to work with her, to protect her. If the accident had not occurred, Felix could have kept his feelings at a distance. However, there was no denying that Lady Catalina was a beautiful, attractive woman, and to him that was more seductive than practiced wiles would ever be. Nevertheless, his mind must remain sharp without any distractions, he cautioned himself severely. How was he to accomplish that with her always in his pocket? She was also used to his way of life, and understood him like no protected society lady in England ever would. Part of him would like to snatch her up and take her to England, where she would be protected from this, but Felix still resented his brother’s efforts to do the same to him, and he knew better than to let his mind wander down that path.
The only thing which had worked so far was to think of Eugenia. He smiled down into his coffee cup when he thought of his little sister. He almost wished he could be there to see whomever fell into leg shackles with her! When he had left, their old neighbor, Tinsley, had been squiring Eugenia about to protect her from her most damaging inclinations. He shook his head and looked out over the sea, becoming lost in his thoughts once again until he heard the waiter directing a couple to a nearby table. His heart gave a squeeze of affection at the sight of Edmund, and even Isabella. She was perfect for him.
When Felix had left England, he had not known what the outcome of Isabella’s situation would be, but he had sensed Edmund’s and her rightness for each other. They smelled of April and May, or some such silly saying the old dowagers liked to use.
They must have married as he had suspected they would. Both were glowing with happiness, and he felt a small twinge of jealousy in his heart. What a ridiculous feeling! And to think how he had shunned their domesticity only a few, short weeks ago…
He watched them order coffee and pastries and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. They seemed not to even notice him, but perhaps Edmund was only being cautious.
After a few minutes, Felix coughed—in his best imitation of an old, consumptive man—and saw the hint of a smile on Edmund’s face. So his brother had realized the peasant was him. Isabella looked over at him pityingly, no hint of recognition in her expression. Good.
“The poor man. He sounds consumptive,” Isabella said, full of concern.
Edmund began to rise, but Felix signaled for him to stay where he was. It took a great deal of strength for Felix not to go to his brother and embrace him. Not here, he reminded himself.
After they had sipped their coffee and consumed their pastries, Edmund removed the packet sent by Rowley and, as they rose to leave, slipped it carefully beneath the napkin on the table.
He watched them leave, feeling pulled by some unholy force to go after them. As soon as it was safe to do so, Felix stood and left coins beside his cup before retrieving the packet from Edmund’s table. Moving as quickly as he dared, he caught sight of them as they strolled arm in arm down the street and followed at a safe distance until he was certain no one was watching him. Spies were everywhere, noticing every little thing and dismissing millions of unconscious items every day. It was highly unlikely that anyone had followed Lady Catalina and him to Villa Blanca, and likewise him on to Bilbao, but one did not stay alive by simply following probabilities. This was his family, and he would never forgive himself if he caused them harm.
Edmund and Isabella clearly admired this beautiful coastal town as they walked leisurely through the ancient stone streets, where terraced gardens spread fragrance and a palette of color, making it a romantic’s dream on this sunny day. In another life, he would have enjoyed walking this path with Catalina, not a care in the world but savoring each other’s company. What was happening to him?
Edmund and Isabella turned down a narrow alley and he knew it was time to make his move. He was upon them before they knew aught of his presence. Granted, they hardly seemed to realize there was anyone in the world but them, at the moment, but Isabella squealed when Felix touched their shoulders.
“Hush, it is only me,” he said quietly.
He gathered Edmund into his arms for a deep embrace and then gave Isabella a shorter one with a kiss on each cheek. He pulled the packet of letters he had written for his siblings from his coat and pressed them into his brother’s hands.
“Thank you,” he said to them. “It is reckless of me to expose you so, but I suppose I am selfish.”
“Do not apologize,” Isabella said, grasping his arm in reassurance.
“You are well?” Edmund asked, his eyes searching with concern.
“I am,” Felix replied honestly.
Edmund gave a nod, as though he were satisfied.
“I gather congratulations are in order?” he asked them both.
They smiled at each other, and once again Felix felt a deep pang of envy inside. “I am very pleased for you. Will you return directly to England?”
“Only if you require us to,” Edmund replied.
“Not at the moment. Enjoy your travels. Everywhere but north should be safe enough at the moment. Now, I must not tarry. I should not have sought you out.”
“I am very glad you did. I cannot tell you how much strength of will it took to walk away from you at the café.” Edmund’s voice trembled. He was the most tenderhearted of the family, yet the strongest in many subtle ways.
Felix hugged his brother fiercely, expressing his mutual feeling. Words were not his forte, but he knew his brother understood. He kissed Isabella on the cheek once again and turned to leave.
“Go with God,” Edmund said, just where Felix could hear. He turned to offer one last smile before resu
ming his character when he turned back onto the main street and doing his best not to give in to his overwhelming compulsion to weep.
Perhaps he had been knocked in the head when he had jumped from the carriage. He was becoming morose with longings for domestic bliss. How grateful he was for the twenty-mile ride back to Villa Blanca!
*
Catalina enjoyed Captain Everleigh’s and Captain Owens’s company—they were charming and flirtatious and helped to distract her a little from the endless waiting period—yet, if she were truthful, she had been listening for the sound of hoof beats all day long. After years of following the drum, Catalina had thought herself an expert in the art of dissimulation, but today had proven her completely wrong. Over and over she had caught herself thinking about the passionate kiss she had shared with Major Knight and wishing it could happen again. Other gentleman had tried to kiss her before, but she had felt absolutely nothing. When you could think of dead fish while someone was kissing you, it was not an experience you wished to repeat. However, she had felt an overwhelming need—no, compulsion—to kiss him and the force of it had swept her away from reality. It had been heaven and hell in one moment. Becoming lost in passion was something she had never thought would happen to her. The devil of it was, she wanted it to happen again. It was consuming her thoughts and dulling her wits. She had known Major Knight was dangerous, and now she felt the tip of the blade piercing her heart, yet was powerless to prevent it.
Never would she confess to anyone how the drum of hoof beats on the drive sounded like music to her ears. Her heart leaped for joy and some strange sense of wellbeing filled her body. Even though, in her mind, she realized it was infatuation, she longed for more. Toro heard them when she did and scrambled to his feet. Trotting to the door, he barked loudly.
“Our Jack of Hearts has arrived,” Everleigh announced.
“Impeccable timing,” Owens murmured, since they were just about to go in to dine.
“Zubiri, we will put back dinner to give Major Knight time to wash off the dirt of his journey,” she told the butler as he opened the door to let Toro out. Accompanied by the two captains, she followed as the beast ran towards the stables.
Catalina watched as Toro nearly pushed Major Knight to the ground with his effusive welcome.
“Down!” Major Knight commanded with a smile. This order duly adhered to, he then proceeded to fondle the beast enough for his immediate satisfaction. Catalina stood back as his two friends greeted him and called her dog to her side. She hoped her pleasure at his reappearance did not show on her face. Even in his ridiculous disguise, he was the most handsome man she had ever met.
They began walking towards the house, but Major Knight met her gaze and bowed.
“Welcome back, sir. I trust your brother was well?”
They all fell in to step as they returned to the villa. “Yes, indeed. He had his new wife with him.”
“And you received what you needed from him?” Everleigh asked.
They entered the house before he answered. “Yes, but I have yet to read it fully.”
He would say no more, but from what he left unsaid, Catalina assumed it needed to be deciphered.
“We have put dinner back so you may wash. I hope you have an appetite, because Cook has been to a great deal of trouble to please the Englishmen.”
Owens rubbed his hands together with anticipation. “Hurry, old chap. My mouth is watering already.”
Knight chuckled. “You need not wait for me, I will be down shortly,” he said, before taking himself off to his apartments.
“I daresay we may take our seats,” Catalina suggested.
Zubiri filled their glasses with one of their own Tempranillo wines and brought in a tray of figs, cheese and almonds for them to have while they waited.
Indeed, it was not long until Major Knight returned, attired in fresh clothing and with his hair damp and slicked back from a quick wash. She had taken the liberty of having his clothing washed while he was away, and he had put it back on.
A footman brought in some gazpacho de mango and served it to them. Once the other courses had been brought in, Catalina dismissed the servants and she and her guests dined alfresco so that they could speak freely.
“We will have no more interruptions,” she said, “but I think it best if we speak in English.”
The gentlemen nodded their agreement and Major Knight took out a paper from his coat and unfolded it.
He handed it to Captain Everleigh. “I did a preliminary deciphering, but you are most welcome to check my work.”
Everleigh scanned through the words, a deep crease forming between his brows, marring his dark, handsome features.
“It is much as we expected,” Everleigh remarked, “but I would like to examine it further after dinner.”
Catalina said nothing, assuming the information involved English concerns.
Once the list was put away, Owens spoke. “When we left camp this morning, Wellington was about to cross the Ebro. He received word of French movement towards Vitoria, so it looks as though his strategy is coming together as planned.”
“We have to keep that information from leaking, first,” Catalina added. “How many days do we have left?”
“It is a two-day march, now that Wellington has rejoined the troops. I do not expect it will be much longer than that if the element of surprise is to be kept on our side.”
“And we are to become the shadows of the suspected men?” Catalina asked.
“Precisely.”
“And the list from your brother narrows down possible traitors?”
“It is a list of men Wellington wished to have investigated,” Knight answered.
“So he already suspected them?”
“The commander misses nothing. He takes his responsibility to his troops to heart. Those on his immediate staff he must trust implicitly. No one is there without being investigated or passing a test. It was how he knew exactly where the leak was coming from,” Everleigh explained carefully.
“So this list will be of the men who could have had such knowledge, but of those, is there one who might have a reason to betray their country?” Owens expounded further.
“Wellington will lay some traps and hopefully it will be as simple as that.”
“And these troops will make it obvious?” She hated the feeling that she was having to draw information from them.
“We can only hope. Owens and I will take two of the names and you and Knight the other two,” Everleigh replied.
“When do we leave?” Catalina asked.
“It would be best to be in place before the troops begin their movement. I suggest we snatch a few hours’ rest and then leave before dawn.”
“Then we had better have dessert, if it is to be our last meal here for a while. It would not be a Spanish meal without dessert and café.” Catalina rang a small hand bell, indicating it was safe for the servants to return.
“Music to my ears, my lady,” Owens said in a sing-song voice.
The three men were relaxed and charming, and Catalina found herself dreaming of a future… one with a specific face, which she had no business to be thinking of at this moment. It was gratifying to be treated as an equal – not as an ignorant female, but one with whom they let their guard down and spoke freely; one with whom they exchanged ideas.
Darkness fell and then the clock struck ten. It was obvious the gentlemen all heard it almost as an ominous toll, for as one they began to push back their chairs from the table. By the serious expressions on their handsome faces, they knew it was time to prepare for the morrow and take what rest they may. Catalina was sure her face must reflect the same.
Owens, Everleigh and Knight all took her hand and kissed her cheek gallantly before going up the stairs to their chambers. Catalina went to tell the senior servants she and the gentlemen would be leaving during the night and to ask if they would please pack as much food for them as possible. Catalina did not know how they were to live if
not a part of the camp. She had never done such a thing. Frankly, this next task was the stuff of Gothic novels, she thought, while at the same time excitement pulsed through her veins. She only hoped her body would cooperate and rest during the night, for who knew when they would have the luxury of such sleeping accommodations again. Perhaps never if Napoleon won.
She began to lay out her disguises for the morrow. Camouflage would be her trick to success. No one must suspect she was a lady. She held her broken arm, praying it would not be a liability. Riding was difficult but doable, but many things were not, such as plaiting her hair. As she combed through the tangles, she smiled when she remembered Major Knight performing the task for her.
It was time to set romantic thoughts of him aside, she chided herself. There was no room for any wayward thoughts just now. She crawled into her bed and put out her taper. Bowing her head, she prayed this war would be over quickly, so that her country and her heart could escape without irreparable damage.
Chapter Twelve
They left Villa Blanca under the cover of darkness. Lady Catalina had not uttered a word of complaint and, furthermore, had had the forethought to ask the cook to prepare provisions for them. The horses were even saddled and waiting for them at the front door at the appointed time. Again, the lady had surprised him with her resolute efficiency. He had expected to do all these things himself. The four of them exchanged sleepy good mornings and bid thanks and farewell to the senior servants, who had risen to see them on their journey. Toro had to be held back, not wanting to be left behind again. Felix understood—he wanted to follow the lady as well.
They mounted and set off. Felix was grateful for the bit of leisurely time for his leg to heal. It still hurt like the devil when he moved, but it was healing nonetheless.
Little was spoken for they rode hard when they reached the open road. Everleigh and Owens took the lead, since they knew the exact location they were going to, having left the camp and scouted their prospects on the way to Villa Blanca. Felix and Lady Catalina followed, riding far enough behind to keep the main cloud of dust out of their faces. The road was not wide enough to ride four abreast even at this hour of the very early morning.
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