Surrender (The Spymaster's Men)

by Brenda Joyce

  He could hang if he were ever arrested. She was sick with even more fear.

  Laurent touched her arm. “He left another soldier out back. How will Jack return for us?” He spoke in a rushed whisper. “They are watching this house, hoping to capture him, and if they do, they will arrest us, too!”

  Evelyn inhaled. She did not think Barrow’s threats idle ones. Who would take care of Aimee if she were ever arrested? “The British have watched his sisters’ homes and his uncle’s, yet they have failed to catch him. Jack is very clever, when it comes to eluding the authorities.”

  Laurent grimaced. “Do you think he will dare come back here? And if he does, we can hardly leave with him now, not with two soldiers outside.”

  Evelyn suddenly realized why she was feeling so ill. Once, she had been afraid to leave her home in Paris, where she had been watched and guarded by the people and the gendarmerie. Suddenly it felt like déjà vu. She was a prisoner in her own home, afraid to leave, and incapable of doing so.

  “If he does come back, we cannot simply walk outside, climb into our carriage and leave.” She took a deep breath, aware of being both highly alert and exhausted at the very same time. “I do not think Jack has left the tunnels. Not in his condition.”

  “What do you wish to do, madame?”

  She realized she did not know. “We must wait a bit and see if Jack is still here. If he is, he will probably slip into the house after dark. If he doesn’t do so tonight, it means he is gone. In which case, we should travel to London without him.”

  “It is a three-day trip—if we can change horses, which we cannot. And I am not up to the task of driving us for three entire days.”

  “I know you are not.” Should they simply remain at Roselynd? Should they go to her uncle and plead with him for his hospitality and help? Jack did not think her safe at Faraday Hall. “If I leave you behind, I can afford tickets for Aimee and myself to take a coach.” Oh, how she wished she did not have to make such frightening decisions now.

  “That is what you should do,” Laurent said unhappily. “We will be fine here.”

  Evelyn’s head suddenly ached. She rubbed her temple. “I would send for you when I can.”

  “Madame—why don’t you lie down?” Laurent said. “You are exhausted. After a nap, we can finish this discussion. Besides, you will be better able to think after you rest.”

  He was right. She hugged him impulsively. “I am so sorry I have endangered you.” She turned and went into her bedchamber, closing her door. She walked right over to the window, and stared at the soldier outside. It pleased her to realize he was sleeping under the elm tree where he sat. It made her feel savagely satisfied—as if, somehow, she had won a small victory.

  Her head hurt more now. Had the British authorities become her enemy now, too? Oh, it was a horrible thought. She lay down on the bed, not even taking off her shoes. Then she pulled up the throw at the foot of the bed. And she fell instantly asleep.

  Jack’s voice awoke her, as did his hand on her shoulder as he gently shook her. “Evelyn. Wake up.”

  She blinked and saw him sitting by her side, a single taper lit. Otherwise, her chamber was in darkness—it was evening now.

  She sat bolt upright, throwing her arms around him. “Are you all right?”

  He held her for a moment, before releasing her. “I am fine.” He tilted up her chin and stared at her. “So you have met Captain Barrow.” His tone was hard, but not as hard as his eyes.

  She recoiled. “He knows you have been here. It isn’t safe for you to be here now.”

  “I am not staying.” He stood up. She instantly saw he had his pistol and knife, as she had thought. “He is now watching your home.”

  She slipped to her feet, alarmed by his set, determined and closed expression. “Were you hiding in the tunnels?”

  “Yes. What did he say to you, Evelyn, exactly?”

  She inhaled. “He told me that if I was hiding you here, then I am an accomplice to your crimes.”

  Jack nodded, his gray eyes flashing. “Go on.”

  She hesitated. “He has threatened to arrest me.”

  “I am not surprised. And?”

  She felt tears arising. She fought them. “He wished to question Aimee. She would have told him that you were here. Obviously I would not let him speak to her, and he left. However, I believe he will be back.”

  “Welcome to my world, Evelyn.” His tone was thick with disgust and anger.

  She hugged herself. “I am worried.”

  “You should be worried—there is no habeas corpus now, and you could be thrown in prison, without ever being charged.”

  She gasped. “Are you trying to frighten me?”

  “You need to know the facts. I am leaving, Evelyn. I intend to elude those two guards and make it to my ship. Once there, I can elude anyone. Meanwhile, I want you to go to Trevelyan. Tell him I am financing your trip to London. He can advance you the tickets, and I will repay him within the week. Take the next coach—there should be one departing Fowey tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Julianne?”

  “I will send her a letter, and I will call on her and Dom as soon as I can. However, you may explain everything to Paget—and I do mean everything.”

  She hated the idea of simply showing up on Julianne’s doorstep, begging for her charity.

  He knew. He said softly, “My sister is an angel of mercy. She will love taking you in. I know you think it an imposition, and that you are being terribly bold—when you do not have a rude, self-serving bone in your body. Evelyn, it is what is best for you and what is best for Aimee. Promise me you will go to Julianne.”

  He was so right—she hated being so bold—but it was best for Aimee.

  Evelyn met his gaze, which remained frighteningly hard. How had her love for Jack come down to this moment?

  “I am sorry I have put you and your daughter in so much danger,” he said harshly. “I regret being so selfish.”

  Tears finally filled her eyes. “I have no regrets! I love you!”

  He flinched. “You would hardly say such a thing if Aimee had been questioned by Barrow, or if you were now separated from your daughter and in a cold prison cell.”

  “I did not realize it would come to this.”

  “No good could have come of our association.” He was final. Then, he said, “I have something for you.”

  Her heart cracked. “Will I see you when you are in London?”

  His expression hardened. “No.” He reached into his pocket and produced a very small cloth bundle, which fit into her palm as he placed it there.

  She looked at it briefly, confused. Tears wet her cheeks as she opened the cloth. Evelyn gasped when she saw her sapphires there.

  She glanced up at Jack, stunned. He had retrieved the jewels stolen by Whyte. What did the gesture mean?

  “I could not let him get away with the theft,” he said flatly.

  Pain stabbed through her now. The gesture meant that he cared. “This is goodbye, isn’t it?”

  “This is goodbye,” Jack Greystone said.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “HAVE NO FEAR,” Trevelyan said. “You will not be turned away.”

  Evelyn smiled grimly at him. They had just arrived at Bedford House, but had yet to get out from their carriage. She had gone to Trevelyan as Jack had directed her to do, and when she had showed up on his doorstep, at once brokenhearted and afraid, he had taken one look at her white face and red eyes and demanded to know what had happened. She had told him most of the truth—she had told him what pertained to their flight from the Bodmin Moor now. Trevelyan knew that Captain Barrow had come to Roselynd to arrest Jack, and that he had almost questioned Aimee, frightening her terribly in the process.

  And once he had been apprised of the situation, Trevelyan had insisted on escorting her, Aimee and her staff to London. As it turned out, he knew Julianne almost as well as he knew Jack; he had known her since she was a small child. He was, he had expl
ained, a rather frequent visitor at Bedford House now, and in the past few years he had become good friends with Dominic Paget.

  Of course he had—they were all spies and ex-spies, they were all in that same secret circle playing terrible war games. They were all the spymaster’s men.

  He had been terribly kind from the moment she had appeared at Blackmoor, and throughout the entire three-day trip to town. But what she had refused to do was discuss her personal relationship with Jack. While he had never asked why she was so aggrieved, she knew he realized something was terribly wrong. He surely guessed that the affair was finally over.

  Evelyn allowed Trev to help her out of the carriage, meeting his gaze. “We are being so bold, inviting ourselves to stay with Lady Paget,” she said. She was anxious. She hated being so forward. She disliked being an imposition. And what if Julianne turned her away?

  “She will welcome you with open arms when you explain to her and Dom what you have explained to me.” He now smiled, reaching for Aimee and taking her down from the coach with a grand flourish. Aimee laughed as he swung her about before setting her down. Her daughter had become very fond of Trevelyan.

  “Look, darling, have you ever seen such a grand home?” Evelyn cried, smiling and taking her daughter’s hand.

  Aimee’s eyes widened. “Oh, Mama, is this a palace? Will we really stay here?”

  With its imposing facade, its magnificent grounds and the stunning water fountain in the center of the drive, Bedford House most definitely resembled a royal palace, not an earl’s city home. She squeezed Aimee’s hand. “Mr. Greystone seems to think so, and we will soon find out.”

  Laurent, Adelaide and Bette were now alighting with a happy Jolie. They had come in one hired coach, changing horses every half day, so in the end, they had left everything behind, except for their clothing. Trev took her arm in his and they approached the house, going up pale, wide stone steps. A pair of liveried doormen stood there, as still as statues, until one came to life and opened the door instantly for them.

  Trev handed the fellow his card. “I must see Bedford, or Lady Paget. Are either the earl or the countess in?”

  The doorman blinked at him, perfectly coiffed in a white wig, his livery royal-blue and gold. “They are both in, my lord,” he said, bowing.

  Evelyn knew the request was an informal one, but considering his relationship with Julianne and her husband, she suspected they did not stand on formality often. Footsteps sounded and the butler, Gerard, appeared. “Good day, my lord, my lady,” he said, smiling.

  “Gerard, my good man, please rouse Bedford. We have had a difficult trip and the countess is exhausted, as is her daughter.”

  Evelyn was grateful. Trev had been taking care of them for days, which allowed her to worry about her relationship with Jack and his escape from Roselynd. The heartbreak rose up again, its force threatening to consume her. As if he knew, Trev caught her elbow and steadied her.

  It was Julianne who appeared first, before Gerard had even left the front hall. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of them. “Trevelyan!” She smiled, but her eyes remained wide, and they were on Evelyn now, a huge question there. She went to Trev and gave him her hands; he kissed both at once. “We are imposing, Julianne. The countess is in need of your hospitality.”

  She stared at him for a moment, as if trying to discern what was happening by gazing into his eyes, and then she turned to Evelyn and hugged her warmly. Relief began. Julianne was happy to see her!

  “Darling, I am so glad to see you, and of course you are welcome here—at any time.” But her gaze was searching. She then turned to Aimee. “You must be Aimee! Hello! I am Lady Paget, and I have heard so much about you!”

  Aimee smiled shyly. “Good day, my lady,” she whispered.

  “I have a daughter, too, but she is much younger than you. However, she loves older children. She is playing in the nursery. Would you like to meet her?” Julianne smiled.

  Aimee glanced at Evelyn, who nodded. “I think you should meet Jacquelyn. Bette can take you up.”

  “What about Jolie?” Aimee asked.

  Evelyn turned to Julianne. “Aimee has a dog.”

  “How wonderful—we love dogs. I have three! Why doesn’t Jolie take a walk in the back gardens, and then she can go up to the nursery, too.”

  As Bette took Aimee’s hand, Dominic Paget, the Earl of Bedford, strode into the hall.

  He was a tall, muscular, handsome man with dark hair and an unmistakable air of power and authority. He was elegantly dressed in a sapphire-blue satin coat, a lace shirt, pale breeches and stockings. He did not wear a wig, and his unpowdered hair was pulled back into a queue. Rings glinted from his hands.

  He was smiling, but his eyes were hard. He exchanged a quick look with Trevelyan, before greeting everyone. “I am pleased to see you again, Countess,” he said.

  “Thank you, my lord,” she returned nervously.

  “Why don’t we adjourn to the salon?” Julianne said. “Gerard? I imagine our visitors would like some refreshments sent up to their rooms.” She turned to Trev. “You will stay for the night?”

  “I will stay until Evelyn is safely settled,” he returned, directing his gaze to her.

  Evelyn smiled gratefully. She truly could not have a more loyal friend—or a better champion.

  Then she thought of Jack and it simply hurt so much. How could it be over? And where was he now? Had he made it safely back to his ship? She hadn’t heard and she was so worried!

  Julianne had turned and was looking at Evelyn, and Evelyn suspected she was wondering about her relationship with Trev. Then she gestured everyone inside, and closed both doors behind them.

  “I cannot thank you enough for taking me and my daughter in,” Evelyn began, looking at Bedford.

  Julianne went to stand beside him, no longer smiling. Dom said, “What has happened?”

  Trevelyan stood beside her, but Evelyn did not look at him. Aimee wasn’t present so her fear and grief surfaced, causing her to speak thickly. “Jack was beaten by his enemies. I was taking care of him at Roselynd,” she said.

  Julianne cried out. “Is he all right?”

  “I don’t know,” Evelyn said. “He survived the beating, with bruised or even broken ribs, and a gash on his head, so he was on his way to recovering fully. But Captain Barrow learned he was at Roselynd. Four days ago, Barrow surprised us. Jack hid in the tunnels below the house while Barrow and his men searched everywhere for him. They did not find him, and Jack returned later that night, telling me he planned to evade the guards Barrow left behind and get to his ship. He instructed me to come here, my lord, my lady.” She trembled. “I have not heard a word from him, so I do not know if he escaped the soldiers, if he made it to his ship or where he now is.”

  Evelyn was so distraught that she had to sit down. Julianne came to sit beside her, putting her arm around her.

  “We will hear from Jack, sooner or later,” Dominic said. “And if he had been caught and apprehended, I would have heard such news by now.”

  “I am very worried,” Evelyn managed. “He was hardly in full health when he left.”

  “Jack is clever,” Julianne said. “He has been outwitting the British authorities for most of his life. Once he reaches his ship, he will be able to escape all pursuit.” She took Evelyn’s hand and held it. But her gaze was searching. Evelyn had to avoid it.

  “Lady D’Orsay,” Dominic said. “Why did Jack insist that you come here? Once he had left Roselynd, what made your home unsafe?”

  She inhaled. “I overheard Jack speaking with a Frenchman, discussing a British military plan.”

  Julianne stared, and so did her husband. Both were stone-faced. If surprised, they did not show it. Obviously they knew Jack ran the British blockade, but did they also know that he was spying for the French?

  Trevelyan explained, “She has heard information that she should not have heard. And the French republicans know it.”

  Dominic said, �
�But why would Jack think you in danger—so much so that he has sent you here, to us? Have you been threatened? Were you discovered?”

  She so did not want to tell them the entire truth! But Julianne squeezed her hand. “It is all right. Dominic was once a spy. He can help you, Evelyn.”

  She brushed a seeping tear. “Jack was giving away our plans to invade France and aid the rebels there. Yes, I was discovered. And I was also threatened—in my own home.”

  Julianne stared grimly at Dominic.

  Evelyn was taken aback. Didn’t they care that Jack was a French spy? For, if they had not realized it before, they certainly did now!

  “Who threatened you? Whom was Jack speaking to?” Dominic asked.

  “Jack’s French ally is Victor LaSalle, the Viscount LeClerc. Unbelievably, he was once a friend and neighbor of ours, of Henri’s and mine, in Paris. And he not only saw me, he recognized me, too. Two weeks ago he sent someone to threaten me—and my daughter—at Roselynd.” She tried to breathe slowly, her heart lurching.

  Julianne paled.

  “You were told to keep silent?” Dominic asked.

  Evelyn whispered, “I was told that if LeClerc were betrayed, I would pay—and so would Aimee.”

  Julianne held her tightly. “You are safe here.”

  “I am so worried,” Evelyn whispered. But why hadn’t anyone reacted to what she had said—and to the fact that Jack had been betraying Britain to her enemies? It seemed that no one was surprised.

  Yet everyone in the salon was a patriot. Indifference was impossible.

  “You will be safe here,” Dominic said firmly. “I do not want you to worry, Lady D’Orsay, and you are welcome to stay as our guest, until the danger passes. Trev, will you join me for a drink? I have a fine scotch whiskey in my library, and we can give the ladies a moment alone.”

  Trev nodded, but he paused before Evelyn. “Are you all right? Surely, you feel better now?”

  She smiled up at him. “Thank you…for being kind, for helping us get to London…for everything.” She took both of his hands and held them, hard.