Chapter Nine
For nearly two hours they spoke of family, of how they had spent their lives, often talking over each other.
She had never known many of the feelings rushing through her, but they did not frighten her.
Instead, she felt at peace, even though she held no memory of much of what Lord Marksman described of her short life in England before they were separated.
Therefore, she said tentatively, “For the time being, I think, if you do not object, it would be best if I still think of myself as Audrey.”
Lord Marksman opened his mouth to pronounce his protest, but just as quickly closed it again. “If I had my choice, I would escort you to Marksman Abbey and establish you as Lady Annalise Dutton, but I am fully aware of the situation in which we find ourselves.”
She nodded her agreement. “You have alluded to what my uncle…” Audrey paused. “I suppose he truly is not my uncle.”
His lordship reached across the table to squeeze the back of her hand. “We may both be thankful Lord Honfleur rescued you from the bayman’s household.”
“He is not really a marquis,” she said in staid tones. “However, I imagine you are already aware of his pretending to be one.”
“I am,” he confessed. “I knew of Jacobi Moreau’s real identity, or, at least, what we suppose to be his real identity, before Lady Godfrey’s masque.
Despite the French detaining Englishmen visiting their country, the English government has men living there and monitoring what takes place on French shores.
Our contacts have followed Moreau for some time—actually followed each of you, even before you departed France for England.
One of the men we suspect of forging banknotes on a large scale has regularly corresponded with Moreau. ”
“Forgeries!” she gasped. “Surely my uncle…” Again, Audrey did not know what name to present the man who had provided for her when others did not.
“Let us simply refer to Moreau as your uncle,” Lord Marksman suggested.
She nodded her agreement once more. “Surely, my uncle is not involved in something so nefarious as forging banknotes.”
“As well as uttering them,” he added.
She swallowed hard as a new reality arrived.
“Although I have never been made privy to any of his schemes, I have eyes and ears and a curious mind. Each of which permits me a basic understanding of his attempts to right what he terms as life’s inconsistencies.
Though I inherently know many of his actions affected rich families, I never truly considered his manipulations as unlawful, which they surely were.
For the last seven or eight years, we have lived much as you view us here.
We took on the mantle of French aristocrats, who were invited to a variety of gatherings across parts of Europe.
We enjoyed the food and the accommodations.
However, no one was left to go bankrupt before we moved on to our next venture, but surely this cannot be true with this latest scheme. ”
Marksman patted the back of her hand again.
“I fear you are a bit na?ve, my dear,” he said softly.
“And I am not complaining or berating you for being so. I am glad of it. Yet, you should learn the truth of Moreau’s manipulations.
For example, Lord Amgen was paid his rents for this house for the first month, but not since.
This is prime property in London, which brings in a steady income for Amgen.
The season will soon be over, and Amgen will not know another renter until autumn.
His lordship inherited a title and estate deeply in debt.
He has attempted to bring it into solvency; yet, his creditors press for compensation, and without Moreau’s regular payment, Amgen suffers.
The only good thing is Moreau has not offered Amgen fake notes. ”
“I was unaware,” Audrey said in regret.
“I guarantee Moreau was not ignorant of the situation when he made a contract with Amgen,” Marksman declared with a bit of venom.
He paused before adding, “I despise asking this of you, for, no matter your involvement, I mean to stand with you when all is resolved in the case against Moreau, but I must be made aware of your participation in what Moreau has enacted upon English society.”
Audrey knew her eyes went wide in shock, but she could not control the emotion.
“Do you mean to say the English government suspects me of some sort of treachery?” The idea frightened her, but, more importantly, the idea Lord Marksman meant to stand with her both pleased her and had her immediately on her feet and pacing the crowded kitchen.
She could not allow this gentleman to suffer because of her.
“I shan’t permit you to place your inheritance in jeopardy to defend me. ”
“Are you saying there is something to defend?” he asked. He stood to catch her by the shoulders. “Tell me if such is so. I shan’t judge your actions.”
She looked up at him. His features had become more familiar with each second they spent together.
Audrey could view something of her mother in his eyes and the lift of his nose.
“I have not directly participated in my uncle’s various transgressions over the years, but I cannot claim a total lack of knowledge of his manipulations.
If nothing less, I was aboard his ship on more than one occasion when he captured and plundered another vessel. ”
Marksman lifted her chin with his fingers. “On the night of the masque, you were to retrieve a note left for Moreau by a woman, who the government suspects as part of a plan to fleece the Bank of England.”
“I did not know the note’s subject, and I was only employed because Caroline’s passage to England had been delayed,” she rushed to say. “I was not aware of the note’s content. I swear I was not. Uncle was most displeased because I had failed him.”
Marksman caressed her cheek. “Did Moreau harm you? Even though, at the time, I did not know our connection, I worried for you when I viewed Moreau’s rough handling of your person after I returned you to his side. I knew great sorrow while watching your humiliation at Moreau’s hands.”
“When I was younger, I sometimes physically knew Uncle’s anger whenever I displeased him, but Caroline took it upon herself to protect me. Now, I am often isolated, as I am now, as my punishment. Denied food. Berated verbally. Uncle demands strict obedience.”
Lord Marksman sucked in a quick breath while a myriad of emotions crossed his features, but he offered no comment. From somewhere in the house, a clock chimed three. “It is late,” he suggested. “Do you wish to come with me to Marksman Hall?”
Alarm sounded in Audrey’s mind. “Uncle has forbidden me to leave the house.”
“Moreau will never know,” Marksman countered.
“He will,” she argued. “Cook is hired to come every other day. If I am not here, I imagine she has been instructed to send word to my uncle.”
“There is no reason for you to fear Moreau. I will protect you,” Marksman assured.
Audrey’s mind raced for an excuse. She knew it irrational to remain in a house alone if Lord Marksman meant to claim her as family, but Uncle Jacobi had taught her well. “What of your investigation?” she asked. “Would it not be better if I remain in Uncle’s house? Perhaps I can aid you somehow.”
“I do not want you in danger,” he said adamantly.
“And I can say the same for you,” she retorted. “I could not bear it to know a connection to me placed you in the midst of chaos.”
“I would be in the mix whether you are here or living with me,” he insisted.
“But you would know additional danger,” she countered. “Moreover, if my uncle learns I have gone against his orders, he may warn his connections in England. My leaving with you could have those who the government seeks going into hiding.”
Lord Marksman dropped his hold upon her, and Audrey realized how empty the room suddenly felt. He scrubbed his face with his hands. “My mind tells me you are correct, but my heart screams in revolt at the idea of spending another night without my sister nearby and safe.”
She smiled upon him. “I am nearby.”
He sighed heavily. “Very well. You shall prevail on this night, but I shan’t abandon my purpose.” He turned towards the door to make his exit. “Lock this behind me.”
“My head is so full; I doubt I shall sleep.” She followed him to the door.
He turned once again to catch her arms, this time drawing her into his embrace. “My heart is full of love,” he said softly. “I must say an extra prayer of thanksgiving to God for, at long last, returning my family to me.”
Audrey enjoyed the feeling of completeness of being cherished by this man. A sigh of contentment escaped.
Lord Marksman planted a kiss upon her forehead. “Do you know the brownstone house across the road—the one with the gold lion as its knocker?”
She frowned in confusion. “Yes.”
He grinned. “Either one of my colleagues or I are there watching this house at all times. Likely, that is where Beaufort is waiting for me as we speak. He is my brother. Lord Duncan also took Beaufort in along with three others. If you experience any trouble, signal us or seek assistance there. Otherwise, for the rest of the world, the brownstone will appear empty. All involved in this investigation are lords of the realm or younger sons of lords or the gentry. That is to say, all but my dear friend, Lionel Carter. He was with you and me in the rookeries before I became Marksman. I presented him with a position on my estate. You may trust him. In fact, if there is trouble, I have asked him to deliver you to my home if I am not available to do so personally. Trust him or any of the men involved in the investigation. They will each fight all foes to protect you.”
“I understand, and I am grateful to know someone is near and watching over this house. I shan’t continue to feel so frightened.” She grinned mischievously. “Good night, Axe. It will be comforting to know you are again in my life.”