Lord Hopkins said nothing until they were further from the house. He stopped at a shaded sitting area where he took a seat. Anton followed suit and waited for the man to speak. “I wish to thank you for the sacrifice on behalf of this country.”
Anton narrowed his eyes on the man. How much had he been told?
“My daughter, along with Lord and Lady Atwood know I sit on committees and am involved in many aspects of the government.”
Anton nodded. Sophia has said as much earlier.
“What they do not know is that I am with the Home Office.”
Anton shifted in his seat with shock. One does not usually come right out and admit such a connection to a stranger.
“At one time I wished to work outside of London,” Lord Hopkins began. “I had just begun my training when my father died. Being the heir, I had to release that desire. However, I was able to remain with the Home Office.”
Anton relaxed. Surely he could trust this man with more than just asking for the use of his carriage to catch a highwayman.
“One of my duties was overseeing the information that came in and out of Russia. We were concerned with the Czar’s alliance with Napoleon.” He smiled. “The information the Ghost gathered and forwarded was invaluable.”
Clearly, Lord Hopkins knew more than Anton ever anticipated.
“The death of the Ghost in St. Petersburg was a devastating loss and had we known you were not dead, we would have found a way to free you.” Lord Hopkins sobered. “We searched for Dimitri but never found him, dead or alive, either. When Sophia was telling me what she had overheard, everything fell into place.”
Anton nodded. If only the Home Office had known where he was, he might have been freed earlier and he would have never believed the worst of Natasha.
The older man grinned. “I, for one am glad to see you are very much alive.”
“As am I,” Anton chuckled. It was freeing in a way that he didn’t have to skirt the issue of everything he had done in Sankt Peterburg. Though those in the household knew of his former spying activities, it was still not something that was shared with everyone. Lord Hopkins had all the information already and would be more likely to be of assistance.
Lord Hopkins leaned back. “Tell me of this other ghost.”
Quickly Anton explained what he and Vanko suspect and that the other man stopping carriages.
The older man nodded. “And you think the Ghost now taking documents from carriages might have had something to do with your arrest, or knows enough that he might have the answers of who betrayed you?”
“Or at least he knows enough of the Ghost in Russia to duplicate his methods,” Anton explained. “We need to find him and determine if it is a coincidence or someone setting out to harm England.”
“What is your plan?” Lord Hopkins asked after a moment.
“Allow me to travel with you to London. If the man stops your carriage we will have the opportunity to apprehend him. He was seen not long ago traveling in this direction. It is only a matter of time.” Anton studied Lord Hopkins for a moment. “I am assuming it is no secret of your involvement in the government?”
“It is common knowledge what committees I sit upon,” Lord Hopkins offered. “Except the Home Office, of course.”
Anton nodded. “I suspect when the Ghost sees your carriage, he will not be able to keep himself from stopping you and taking your papers.”
“If he doesn’t?”
“Then I will keep your carriage and return this way, leaving you in London, hoping the man eventually stops me.”
“Very well.” Lord Hopkins stood. “We will leave later this afternoon, so we are on the road at night.”
“Your father is a spy?” Eliza asked Sophia with wide-eyed amazement when the gentleman walked away to return to the house.
“He only works with the Home Office,” Sophia said slowly. She shouldn’t have come along with her friends to eavesdrop on her father and Mr. Kazakov, but leaving the two alone was never a good thing.
“How very exciting.” Rosemary sighed.
Sophia shook her head. “I doubt it is as thrilling as you believe.”
“I wonder what secrets he knows,” Eliza continued.
“It does not matter as he will not be sharing any with us.” Perhaps she shouldn’t invite the two to her home any longer. No doubt they would snoop about her father’s papers hoping to find something of intrigue. She hated when they meddled at all, but it would be a personal affront if they did so in her own home.
“I wonder if there are any female spies.” Rosemary asked.
Sophia shot her a look. Surely her friend was not thinking of becoming one. The idea was almost laughable. “There probably are, but I doubt spying is as romantic as books make it out to be.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Eliza disagreed. “Wouldn’t it be grand fun to pretend to be someone you are not and find out all kinds of secrets?”
No doubt there were other reasons Eliza wished to be someone else and all of it having to do with her family. “I see nothing fun in getting shot at.”
“There is that, I suppose,” Rosemary agreed. “Besides, I am not sure I am cut out for a life of intrigue.”
None of them were, though Sophia wouldn’t be surprised if Eliza didn’t try to figure out a way to become a spy. Hopefully, she would put the matter to rest before she did something dangerous or stupid.
Natalie tried to keep from watching outside where Anton met with Lord Hopkins. Would Sophia’s father agree to their mad plan? If he did, would her husband be in danger? She didn’t want to lose him after getting him back again.
The gentlemen stood and turned toward the house. She shifted in her seat to focus on those around her. She didn’t want Anton to know she had been watching.
Sophia and her friends slipped into the room behind her father. “Are you going to help, Father?”
“Of course.” Lord Hopkins laughed. “You already knew I would.”
Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “Might I go with you to London? It would be a grand adventure.” Behind her, Eliza and Rosemary’s heads bobbed in agreement, curls bouncing against their shoulders. Natalie cringed at the thought of what kind of mischief they could get into even.
Anton stiffened at Sophia’s request though Natalie already knew what the father’s response would be. A surge of panic must have shot through him at the idea of these girls being in the carriage and what could go wrong.
Lord Hopkins narrowed his eyes on his daughter. “You know better.”
“Very well, but I had to ask.”
Anton relaxed.
“Now, I am going to take my daughter so the two of us can visit,” Lord Hopkins announced. “We will leave later this afternoon.” Lord Hopkins escorted his daughter back outside. She was animated talking and Lord Hopkins threw his head back and laughed, but Natalie could not hear what was being said outside.
Lady Atwood stood. “Eliza, Rosemary, you have lessons to attend to.”
The students groaned and followed her from the room.
Atwood came to his feet. “I will leave you to your plans.”
With that, Natalie was left alone with Anton and Vanko. While Vanko studied her with interest, Anton looked as if he wanted to ask her something.
“Will both of you be going with Lord Hopkins?”
“Just I,” Anton answered.
“I will remain here,” Vanko added.
Natalie nodded. Part of her wished it were Vanko going. What if Anton was injured or worse?
“I will be safe,” Anton assured her, as if he read her mind.
Anton turned toward Vanko. “Why don’t you prepare and I will be along shortly.” He nodded and left the room. Once alone with Natasha, he grasped her hand tightly, looking deep into her eyes. “Come with me now. Let’s just forget about everything and be together.”
She longed to do just that. They could return to the manor and make a home, begin anew. She could be with her husband and her friends would rem
ain close. Her life would finally be what she wished. “What of the Ghost?”
“I don’t care about him,” Anton growled and took her lips.
As much as she wished to drown in his kisses, she could not. Her knees grew weak, but Natalie forced away her desire to be as intimate with him as a wife could be. She broke the kiss. “He may be the one who caused your imprisonment.”
“As much as I wish vengeance, it almost caused me to lose you. I will not let it destroy me again.”
“You don’t know if revenge is misplaced this time. Can you truly pick up where we left off on our wedding night and not at least wonder who the man is and if he was the cause of everything bad that has happened?”
Anton studied her for a moment. “You are correct. Eventually, I would have to pull myself from our bed because it would begin to eat at me.”
A smile tugged at Natalie’s lips. “Then go find him so there is no reason for you to leave our bed in the future.”
Anton grinned down at her. “The prefect incentive to be quick about this business and return to you.”
“Perhaps I should be the one to go with you,” she suggested, no longer wishing to be apart from him.
He grew serious and his jaw tightened. “I cannot allow you to do so.”
Natalie eyed him askance. Had she been too quick in her forgiveness and trust? Was Anton hiding something else? “I assure you, I can protect myself.”
“Of that I have no doubt. I have the scar to remind me.”
How could she have forgotten for even one moment that she had shot him? It hadn’t been intentional, but what if she had grievously harmed him? A chill ran down her spine at the mere thought that she could have easily killed Anton that night. It didn’t matter that he had scared her and she was only protecting herself and the girls. She would have never been able to forgive herself if he had died.
“I am fine,” he said gently as if reading her mind.
“I didn’t mean to shoot,” she blurted out.
“I didn’t expect you to have a gun,” he chuckled.
“Why can’t I go with you?” She needed his answer and she watched his eyes and expression, hoping to be able to tell if he lied to her.
“I have some fear for your safety but that isn’t the whole of it.”
Natalie frowned. What other concern could Anton possibly have?
His arms tightened about her again. “He kisses the women in the carriage. That I cannot allow.”
“I wouldn’t let him,” Natalie insisted with a grin.
“Ah, but what if you shot him before we could question him? Or, if he did kiss you, I might just have to shoot him.” Anton shook his head. “It is better this way.”
She laughed with him. It was probably best if she remained behind. There were preparations to make if she were to move to the old manor and she wished to discuss this decision with her closest friends as well as break the news to Mrs. Wiggons that she would need to find another replacement.
He grasped her hands in his. “Does this mean you will finally come home to me?”
She looked deeply into his eyes. This was the man she loved. The man she had forgiven. In her gut, she knew she could trust. “Yes.”
26
How different were her present sensations from those of the preceding day. Her anxiety
had now evaporated in joy, and she experienced that airy dance of spirits which
accolades delight from every object; and with a power like the tough of enchantment,
can transform a glooming dessert into a smiling Eden.
A Sicilian Romance
Ann Radcliffe
Anton was whistling when he entered the old manor after leaving Natasha. Once they were done with this business with the Ghost, he could return here and make a home with his wife. Already the new servants had begun to make the formerly stark, dusty and cobweb-ridden rooms habitable. He could not wait for Natasha to join him in making this their home.
“You seem in better mood,” Vanko observed as he came from the library. “Has Natasha finally forgiven you?”
He simply grinned. “When we are finished, she will return here and all will be as it should.”
“That is good, my friend.”
“I will finally have everything I’ve wanted. A home, my wife, settled and secure. I will be at peace.”
Vanko’s eyes hardened for a moment, taking Anton aback.
“Are you not happy for me?”
The man blinked and grinned. “Of course I am pleased.” He turned away and strode into the sitting room. “I am just thinking about what I will do next. That is all.”
“You were to return to Wales and renew your acquaintance with a certain widow. Have you changed your mind?”
“No,” Vanko chuckled. “I have everything ready. You only need to pack some clothing,” he said, changing the current topic of discussion.
Anton nodded. He would not need much as they anticipated it would not be long before the Ghost was caught. If the man knew anything of Lord Hopkins, he would not be able to resist the carriage, if he was still in the area. The thought gave him pause. What if the Ghost had moved on? Did he want to spend days, weeks, or even months searching for the man? The last year had been wasted as he sought out Natasha, and Anton didn’t want to be away from her longer than necessary. “If we do not find him between here and London I am going to end the search.”
Vanko stilled and looked at him. “You cannot give up when you are this close to capturing him.”
“I don’t want to spend more time away from my wife,” Anton insisted. “Too much time has been lost already.”
Vanko smiled slightly and nodded. “I will continue the search, if necessary.”
Anton turned expectedly toward Vanko. His friend had no need to hunt the Ghost, but perhaps he wished to seek him out. “Let’s see what happens.”
After packing a small satchel with the few items he would need, Anton paused to glance around his chamber, one of the few rooms in the manor that was warm and clean. He and Natasha would be quite comfortable here.
He grabbed the bag and exited the room, anxious to be done with this last task so he could return. Having Natasha in his arms and in his bed could not happen soon enough. Never again would he doubt her.
Vanko was standing inside the foyer when Anton walked down the stairs. “I will keep an eye on your wife while you are gone,” he offered.
Anton lifted a hand to shake Vanko’s. “Thank you, my friend. I am sure Atwood would watch over her, but it gives me peace of mind to know you are here.”
Vanko smiled slightly. Did his friend wish he were coming with them? Anton had offered, but Vanko refused. Perhaps he was just tiring of the traveling and living one day to the next not sure of what would happen as much as Anton.
“I hope to return quickly.”
“I wish you luck,” Vanko said as Anton strode out the door.
By the time he arrived back at Atwood’s estate, the sun was already dipping into the horizon. As the Ghost did not stop carriages until it began to grow dark and into the night, they had not wanted to leave too early, not knowing where he might be.
“I’ve decided to ride ahead,” Anton announced.
Lord Hopkins regarded him with confusion.
“I will be seen if I follow, if I can’t trail from a covered area. By going ahead, I can watch the area for where the Ghost may be hiding and once I am out of sight, he will feel more comfortable in stopping you.”
“What if you don’t see him and I face him alone?” Lord Hopkins demanded.
“That will not happen,” Anton laughed.
Natasha walked toward him. “Be careful.” She went on her toes and kissed Anton’s cheek. “Be safe.”
He longed to grasp her in his arms, kiss her and hold her tight, but her friends, as well as three students, stood at the front of Atwood Manor watching them and such a display would not be proper. Soon, however, he would be back and the two of them would finally be a
lone.
Natalie sighed and wandered through the rooms of Atwood Manor. Supper had been early this evening, as was Tess’ habit, which left Natalie with empty hours to fill before she could find her bed. Claudia was taking tea with Tess and Atwood, but Natalie had no desire to sit and make conversation. She was too agitated with worry for Anton. Besides, her friends would probe and ask questions she didn’t wish to answer.
Would they understand and support her decision to return to Creighton Manor with Anton? Or, would they discourage her and remind her what he had done to her? Natalie couldn’t explain it to herself, let alone her friends. The decision to leave with Anton as his wife felt the right thing to do. Would they understand it was a feeling that made her decision?
At least Tess and Atwood would soon find peace. Claudia was to return to the school with the students tomorrow. There was no longer a need for her to be here as a decision had been made, even if it hadn’t yet been voiced. Deep down, Natasha was aware that they knew she would be returning to Anton upon his return.
Natalie rubbed her eyes. They were scratchy from lack of sleep, but her mind had not allowed her to find slumber last night as she fretting and worried. Had they encountered the Ghost last night or would they need to continue their travel into London? How long would it be before they returned? Now that she had forgiven Anton, she wanted to be with him, not wait further. She had waited long enough, over two years, to set up a household with her husband.
She paused before the doors leading to the gardens. How soon would she have news or when would Anton return?
“I’m worried too, Miss Pritchard.”
Natalie turned to find Sophia standing just inside the door. “I am sure they will be fine,” she assured the young woman.
Sophia offered her a weak smile. “I hope so, but I wish they would return.”
Natalie smiled. “You should probably go find out what Eliza and Rosemary are up to.” She did like Sophia, but she was a student and couldn’t begin to understand the thoughts and feelings Natalie was experiencing. Besides, she wished to be alone.
Ghosts from the Past (Wiggons' School for Elegant Young Ladies) Page 17
