Clasping her hands before her, Tess braced herself. “What do you know?”
“Managing agents is a delicate task. One must take risks, and inherent in any gamble are the inevitable mistakes. Reynolds was one of them.”
Bills made a noise of disgust. “A bit of an understatement, don’t you think? He murdered a young woman and tried to kill Lady Golding!”
Sir Lee held up his hand. “This is a nasty business, and sometimes even the most level-headed man cracks under the pressure.”
Wrapping her arms around herself, Tess shuddered. “Reynolds was never level-headed. He’s sick.”
“The facts do speak for themselves,” Sir Lee agreed.
“What are the facts? Why did he kill Fiona? Why did he try to kill me?”
“Miss Reed was working for him.”
The betrayal tasted bitter on Tess’s tongue. “So it’s true that Reynolds was the mysterious ‘sir’ that Fiona was meeting.”
“Yes. If it makes you feel any better, he told her and another employee of yours, a footman named Paulson, that you were in danger and that keeping an eye on you would help keep you safe.”
Recalling Paulson’s words when Heath had stormed her carriage, “Your safety is my only concern!” Tess did feel a little better. But if Fiona and her footman Paulson worried over her safety, why didn’t they simply ask her about it? Why did they have to sneak about?
Tess gritted her teeth, knowing that some questions might never be answered. “But why did Reynolds set my employees to watch me? Did he think I’d turned? That I was working for the French?”
Sir Lee’s lip curled. “Nay, that would have made sense. It seems that Reynolds had developed an unnatural fascination with you.”
Tess raised her hand to her chest, appalled. “With me? I never even liked the man!”
“As I said, Reynolds was not stable. I’m sure that there was nothing that you did to invite such interest, but it grew, nonetheless. Neither Miss Reed nor Paulson knew of your connection to the Foreign Office, by the way. Their orders were purposefully vague. Reynolds simply asked them to keep an eye on you and to recount anything at all that pertained to you. They reported to him every third day.”
Tess scratched her arm, feeling violated. “On what? What I ate for breakfast?”
“That, too. But apparently, when Miss Reed reported certain goings-on between you and Mr. Bartlett…Well, Reynolds did not take that intelligence too well.”
“Not too well? Fiona was beaten to death!”
Sir Lee scratched a craggy cheek, his green eyes sad. “I know. Reynolds had cracked, and in a fit of rage killed the messenger, so to speak.”
Bills shook his fist. “Why didn’t anyone notice he was round the bend before this? Who put this man in charge?”
“I assure you, Mr. Wheaton is quite torn up about it all.”
“Why, because he has a mess to clean?” Tess didn’t bother to hide her disgust. “Is he going to try to kill me, too, now? Just to keep things tidy?”
Sir Lee pinched his nose as if distressed. “No one is going to try to harm you, Lady Golding. The attack at Newgate Prison was another of Reynolds’s mad schemes. He wanted you to take the blame for Miss Reed’s murder and simultaneously wanted to keep you from making a connection to him at the Foreign Office. Stupid plan, actually, since it would have brought more attention to your claims, but that’s neither here nor there.”
Crossing her arms, Tess shook her head.
“So what happens to Reynolds?” Bills asked.
“Reynolds is finished. You will not see or hear from him again.”
Bills’s eyes narrowed. “Finished? That’s it? No indictment, no trial…”
Opening his hands, Sir Lee shrugged. “It wouldn’t serve anyone at this point.”
“Nay, can’t have anyone know what a brilliant bungle the Foreign Office made of things!” Bills scoffed.
Sir Lee motioned to Tess. “Lady Golding would not fare well if news of this got out. And at this point all actions are predicated on the goal of making things right.”
“Right.” Tess’s laugh was mirthless as she pressed her hand to her suddenly aching head. “A young woman murdered. People reporting on what others eat, with whom they sleep, where they go, what they say, and in whom they confide. I’m having trouble making the correlation between these foul deeds and safeguarding our beloved country. And I’m not just talking about the things that Reynolds did.” Although this wasn’t the first occasion that Tess had questioned her work, it was the first time she was actually tempted to leave it all behind her.
What would it be like to have a normal life? No more spying, no more juggling Wheaton’s demands and her own wishes. No more reports. A normal life.
With Heath.
Her heart ached with longing and she blinked back tears. She wanted Heath. By her side. Forever. She wanted to bear his children, desperately and with a yearning that stole the breath from her throat.
The idea of life without him…
Hugging herself, she shivered, thinking of the long, lonely years without the man she loved by her side. Watching him marry another would be worse than Newgate. The only escape she would have would be death. And without Heath, she wondered if she’d welcome it.
Tess dropped her face into her hands as grief pierced her heart. Oh, dear Lord in heaven, what have I done?
“Are you all right?” Bills moved beside her.
Swallowing, she looked up. “I’m fine.” But she wasn’t; she was dying inside.
“You’re white as a sheet. Perhaps we should return to the guest house? You’ve had quite a time of it.”
“No, no. I’m fine.”
“I’m curious…” Sir Lee stepped forward. “Would you please tell me how you got out of Newgate Prison? I know from Janelle that her escape plan was never executed. How did you manage it?”
Tess bit her lip, overwhelmed by Heath’s sacrifice to help her. No one had ever given up anything for her. No one had ever loved her the way that he so clearly did.
And I told him to marry Miss Whilom!
“Oh God, I feel ill.” Pressing her hand to her middle, she groaned.
“Tess, sit down.” Bills grabbed her arm and led her to the chair.
She sank into it, distantly wishing that it was a shallow grave. I can’t live without him. And I sent him away…
A sob escaped.
Sir Lee thrust a handkerchief into her hand. “Please don’t tell me! I’m sorry I asked about the prison.”
Pressing the handkerchief to her mouth, she shook her head. What have I done?
“You really love him, don’t you?” Bills’s tone was gentle.
Sniffing, she nodded. “And…I…I told…him…to…marry…her!” A dam broke within her and tears gushed forth. Howling, she sobbed into the handkerchief, her shoulders shaking. Her heart ached so badly, it was like a knife spearing her chest.
Leaning down beside her, Bills laid a hand on her back. “Then fight for him, Tess! He loves you.”
Tess wept harder.
Sir Lee leaned forward. “Whom did she tell him to marry?”
Bills explained, “Miss Penelope Whilom. Bartlett’s engaged to her.”
A sob burst from Tess’s throat as she pressed her palms to her eyes so hard they hurt.
A hand shook Tess’s shoulder. “Lady Golding.”
She curled forward, wanting to be left alone with her despair.
The hand shook her shoulder harder. “Lady Golding! Janelle told me that she sent you a note at Newgate, but you must not have gotten it!”
Sniffing, she looked up. “A note?”
Sir Lee’s face was animated. “Janelle is quite the spy when she sets her mind to it. She found out that last night Miss Penelope Whilom ran off to Gretna Green with her dance instructor!”
Tess blinked as the words sunk in.
She didn’t realize that she’d stood until she saw her hand gripping Sir Lee’s lapel. “Tell me!”
“According t
o Janelle, after the notices were sent to the papers last night, Miss Whilom got into a terrible row with her parents. Then, just before dawn, her dance instructor climbed into her bedroom and the two took off down the servants’ stairs. The scullery maid spied them and reported the goings-on to Lord Bright. He scrambled to give chase, but was slow to rally and—”
“Is she married or not?” Bills demanded.
Tess’s heart was racing, her mouth dry as dust. Is it too much to hope? Too propitious to be believed?
Sir Lee’s mouth split into a smile. “Miss Whilom and her instructor are on their way to Gretna Green and Lord Bright abandoned the chase. The deed is done.”
Swallowing, Tess released Sir Lee’s lapel and sank into a chair, her mind a jumble. “Heath can’t marry Miss Whilom?”
“Of course I can’t marry Penelope!” Heath strode into the chamber, his dear gaze seeking hers. “As I tried to tell you before, I love you and I’m not about to let you tell me who I should or shouldn’t marry. I know you’re upset about the notices but—”
Jumping up, Tess ran into his arms, hugging him so tightly as to never let him go.
“Ah, I’m glad to see you, too,” he murmured in her hair, holding her close. “I suppose this means you’re no longer angry with me?”
She looked up at his beloved face. “I thought I’d lost you.”
He placed his palms on her cheeks and drew her lips close to his. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” His heady kiss banished any remaining doubts from her mind. As she melted into his embrace, Tess was filled with a heavenly joy so profound, she wondered if her feet had left the ground.
“Congratulations, old chap!”
With obvious reluctance, Heath broke the kiss but did not release Tess from his close embrace. Tess’s cheeks burned and she knew that she should be embarrassed about her display in front of Bills and Sir Lee, but she was so happy, she was finding it hard to care.
Bills stepped forward, beaming. “You owe me one hundred and fifty pounds! But consider it my wedding present to you. Congratulations!”
Breathless, Tess blinked. Wedding?
Bills motioned to Sir Lee. “This is Sir Lee Devane, by the way. Janelle’s friend who used to work at the Foreign Office.”
Sir Lee bowed. “Mr. Bartlett.”
“He was just telling us that that bugger Reynolds is no more.”
Heath nodded. “So you know.”
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“I met Wheaton. The man’s a cold-hearted snake, but I managed to get the whole sordid tale.” Shaking his head, Heath looked down at Tess. “I don’t know how you deal with those—”
Stopping, Heath pursed his lips. “I’m sorry, Tess, I know you love your work. I know it’s important, and I’m terrifically proud of you for doing it. But I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. It’s grossly unfair of me to ask you to give it up. But I must.”
Furrowing his brow, he went on, “I’m not telling you what to do. It’s not an ultimatum. But I’m asking you, as the man who loves you more than anyone else in this world, would you please consider it, for my sake?”
Exhaling, Tess looked deep into those cocoa brown eyes and saw his love and his vulnerability. He was afraid for her, and for their future. She understood exactly how he felt. “I choose you.” The words came easily because it was what she wanted.
His mouth fell open. “You do? You can give it all up, for me?”
“You sacrificed your career to save me.”
“But I don’t want you to feel indebted. I want it to be your choice.”
Tess’s heart was filled with gladness and love for this wonderful man. “I love my book business and will miss it terribly. But the spying…I’m ready to move on to other things. What I really want—what I really want is a family. With you.”
Heath expelled a breath as if amazed. Then his handsome face transformed to a look of glowing happiness. He wound his arms around her and hugged her close. “I love you, Tess,” he whispered in her ear.
“I love you, too.” Tess closed her eyes, cherishing his strong embrace, his generous heart, and the way he made her feel so treasured. She inhaled his earthy scent that had grown so dear. “I want to marry you, Heath. Can we…will you marry me?”
“What the blazes are you doing here, Bartlett?” Solicitor-General Dagwood walked into the room. “Lady Golding?”
Reluctantly Tess pulled back, her heart racing, her unanswered question still lingering in the air.
Sir Lee waved his cane. “Ah, you’re finally here, Mr. Dagwood. Thank you for responding to my request.”
Mr. Dagwood’s sharp dark gaze traveled to each person in the room and finally settled on Heath. “I take it by the woman in your arms that you’ve heard the news.”
Heath’s brow furrowed. “What news?”
“About Miss Whilom running off with her dance instructor.”
Heath’s smile widened. “No, I hadn’t heard. But I can’t say I’m displeased!”
Exhaling, Mr. Dagwood tilted his head. “It seems that my marriage advice to you was wide of the mark, Bartlett.”
Disengaging from Tess, Heath stepped forward with an outstretched hand. “You were only trying to help me, sir. And I greatly appreciate all of your efforts on my behalf.”
Moving closer, Dagwood clasped Heath’s hand and shook it. “It seems I was mistaken about Lady Golding as well. Today I received a visit from a Mr. Wheaton.” Turning to Tess, Dagwood bowed. “My apologies for how I treated you, Lady Golding. In my defense I can only say that I had no notion of your true character and had no idea that you work for the Foreign Office.”
“Worked. I am no longer in that position.” Tess’s gaze met Heath’s, and the love she saw within filled her with a happiness that brought tears of joy to her eyes.
“They sacked you over this?” Dagwood asked.
“No, I’m quitting.” A flicker of disquiet breached her gladness. “Although I don’t know how I’m going to convince Wheaton to let me go.”
Heath’s fists curled. “Oh, I’ll convince him.”
“There’ll be no need for that.” Sir Lee stepped forward, swinging his gold-topped cane. “There comes a time when we need to give our thanks and allow our friends to live the very lives that we work to protect. Besides, Wheaton wants the whole Reynolds business to go away quietly. He won’t cause a problem.”
“But can you keep your book business?” Bills wondered aloud.
Sir Lee’s lips dipped. “I don’t see why not.” He turned to the solicitor-general. “Now, Mr. Dagwood, our meeting is in the next room and we should be moving along.”
Dagwood bowed to Tess. “Lady Golding.” He nodded to the men. “Mr. Smith. I’ll see you in the morning, Bartlett.”
Heath straightened. “I’m not sacked?”
Waving his cane, Dagwood frowned. “I thought we took care of all that. What else do you want? A raise?”
“Ah…That would be nice.”
“Hmm. We’ll discuss it tomorrow.”
Sir Lee’s green eyes twinkled with mischief. “Lady Golding. Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Smith. If not sooner, I’ll surely see you at my great-grandchild’s christening. When that fortuitous day finally arrives, all of the members of the Society for Enrichment and Learning will be invited.”
Bills’s eyes widened. “We made it? We’re actually members?”
Sir Lee winked. “You didn’t hear it from me. Janelle swears I can’t keep a secret.” Chuckling, he and Mr. Dagwood left the room.
Bills raised his fist in triumph. “Yes! Lucy is going to have to eat her words!” Grinning, he wagged his brows. “If you don’t mind, I’m off to the society. I have some crowing to do.”
Tess gave Bills a big hug. “Thank you, Bills. For everything.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Straightening, he slapped Heath on the back. “I couldn’t be happier for you, old boy. And yes, of course, I’ll be your best man. Now I’m off!
”
Quiet descended on the library.
Heath pulled Tess back into his arms. She was soft in all the right places as her body molded to his as if made for him. They were perfect together, exactly as they were. No longer the master’s daughter or the tutor’s son, they had grown up into very different people who’d come together to be as one.
As he held her close, Heath felt as if every step he’d taken in his life had brought him to this moment. And he thanked the heavens for leading him here.
Leaning her head on his shoulder, Tess sighed.
Heath inhaled the familiar scents of leather, old books, and the lavender bouquet he’d come to adore. “I love you, Tess.”
She smiled up at him, her beautiful face so radiant that he knew she was as happy as he. “And I love you, Heath.”
Furrowing his brown, he hid his smile. “What was that question you asked me, again?”
Playfully she punched his chest. “I don’t like it when you tease me.”
“Liar.” Then he kissed the spy who’d stolen his heart.
Acknowledgments
I will be eternally grateful to my family and friends, especially my mother, who continue to enthusiastically champion my efforts. I want to specially acknowledge the following people for their wonderful support: Susan Grimshaw, Frances Drouin, Dorothy Rece, Bill Eubanks, Laura Goeller, Jennifer and Steven Linowes, JR Mayhew, Ann Rawn, Marilyn Simes and Digitalinstincts.com, Laurie Ann Goldman and Blair Ross, Willa Cline, Barb and everyone at RF Designs, The Paradies Shops, Deb Brink, Becky Rose, Martha Jo Katz, Nicole Kennedy and Kathleen Adey, Nancy Yost, Robyn Freedman Spizman, George Scott, Esther Levine, Julia Quinn, Emily Cotler at Waxcreative Design, Georgia Romance Writers, and The Beau Monde.
My gratitude to the incomparable Avon books team, including but not limited to: The two Brians; Donna, Judy, and the entire Merch Sales Team; Mike, Carla, and the whole Field Sales Team; International Sales, Foreign Rights, and Sub Rights. My heartfelt appreciation for Pam, Buzzy, and Adrienne!!! Thank you!! Tom, Gail, and Patricia—thanks for my gorgeous covers. Special thanks to Carrie, May, and most especially Lyssa!
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