Chapter 1 #2
“You needn’t bellow at me. I said I would do as Papa asks. But this all doesn’t make any sense to me. Why should I be in any danger?” She looked at the others, the question in her expression as well as her words.
“More than likely, His Grace is mistaken, but it’s better to be cautious. In all likelihood, you have nothing to worry about, save for a rather uncomfortable journey to Town,” replied Mrs. Graves, with a bravado that sounded rather hollow to all their ears.
Darwin remained silent. In all his years of employment at Cheviot Manor, he had known the duke to make precious few mistakes.
* * *
Caroline let the book drop in her lap as she stared into the blazing fire.
She had come back to the library after supper, knowing full well that sleep would be impossible just yet, even though she had to depart at dawn.
There were too many questions racing through her mind, not the least of which was why her father was so concerned about this particular messenger.
It was not unusual for documents to travel between the Continent, the ministry and the duke, and no doubt many of them were sensitive.
Caroline had long ago figured out what sort of government work her father was engaged in—no doubt a penchant for ferreting out information ran in the family!
So why was this so different?
A loud noise suddenly jarred her from her thoughts.
She shot up and hurried into the hallway.
The sound was coming from the drawing room.
Caroline threw open the door to find that Darwin, armed with a pistol and accompanied by two of their larger footmen brandishing heavy cudgels, was already cautiously approaching the set of french doors that led out to the garden terrace.
The banging came again.
Darwin undid the locks and flung the doors open as he stepped back, pistol at the ready.
A dark-clad figure staggered out of the gloom and crumpled onto the floor. With a cry of surprise, Darwin knelt beside the man’s motionless body and carefully turned him over.
Caroline, already at the butler’s side, was horrified to see an ugly splotch of dark crimson spread across the front of his shirt.
The man’s face was caked with mud and sweat, his lips chapped and bleeding. “The duke…” he whispered, barely loud enough for them to make out the words. “Papers…”
He clutched at a small oilskin packet that was hanging by a cord around his neck as a cough welled up in his throat, bringing a trickle of blood to the corners of his mouth.
“Steady now. You’re safe here.” Darwin took the man’s hand in his own.
The man’s eyes fluttered open. “From France. Names…he’s trying to get…” His chest gave a convulsive heave, and the faint words trailed off.
“We must send for Doctor Belding immediately,” cried Caroline. “The poor man
must…”
Darwin looked up at her. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” Gently removing the packet from around the man’s neck, he straightened and took Caroline by the arm. “Ned and William will see to the poor fellow.”
He guided her back to the library and then placed the travel-stained packet in the middle of the duke’s desk. They stared at it wordlessly for a few moments.
Darwin cleared his throat. “It seems His Grace had every right to be concerned,” he said softly.
Caroline only nodded, then reached out slowly…
“Lady Caroline!”
She took up the packet, then reached for her father’s letter opener.
“Lady Caroline!” repeated Darwin. “What in heaven’s name do you think you’re doing?”
Caroline regarded him calmly, her eyes as steely as her father’s. “The man gave his life to get these papers to my father. I have to know what they contain so we may decide what to do.”
“You…you don’t mean to read them?” Darwin’s voice cracked slightly.
The letter opener had already severed the thread holding the oilskins together. “That is exactly what I intend to do.”
Several leaves of thin paper, folded together and sealed with wax, fell out. Caroline picked them up and, with just a hint of hesitation, broke the seal.
Darwin let out a strangled sigh.
It took only a minute or two to read the contents. Her eyes came up slowly to meet those of the butler. “Good Lord,” she breathed. “This is a list of contacts and addresses of our intelligence-gathering rings from Paris to Brussels.”
They both stared at each other as the implications sank in.
“If it were to fall into the wrong hands…” She drew in a ragged breath. “These papers must reach the minister in London without fail. Tell Crocket to have the carriage ready to leave as soon as possible.”
Darwin seemed to read her mind. “You can’t mean to…”
“Yes—I mean to take the papers to London myself.”
“Lady Caroline, whoever is after these papers has killed once to get them. He will not hesitate to do so again!” he protested.
“Yes, and can you imagine how many shall die if he does get his hands on them?”
Darwin’s lips tightened. “But your father made it clear he didn’t want you anywhere near those papers—and with good reason!”
“My father would agree that these papers must get to London, no matter what.”
“Lady Caroline.” The butler’s voice resonated with emotion. “I cannot let you put yourself in such danger.”
“I don’t see that you have any choice. Do you think I would be so cowardly as to send one of the grooms or footmen—or anyone else?
” She stared pointedly at him, taking in his reedy legs, slowed now by a touch of rheumatism.
“Besides, that is exactly what our enemy will expect—a lone courier on horseback. On the other hand, I imagine he will not be on the lookout for a nondescript carriage carrying a lone female and her maid, especially if we stay off the highways.”
“She’s right, ye know.” Mrs. Graves stepped into the room from the shadows of the hall. “Much as it grieves me to say it, I think it’s the only choice.”
“The duke would never make such a decision,” argued Darwin, though the look on his face was one of resignation.
“The duke is not here. So it is I who must decide,” answered Caroline calmly.
“I shall sew the packet into the bodice of my gown—Mathilde is very clever with her needle and fabric. It will be impossible for someone who doesn’t know where to look to tell.
And after all,” she added, “our enemy cannot be entirely sure the papers have reached us.”
Darwin pressed his lips together, not ready to give up entirely. “I shall send Tom and William with you as well, armed to the teeth.”
Caroline shook her head. “No. That would only attract exactly the sort of attention we wish to avoid.” She gave a tight smile to both of them. “Besides, I have a feeling that it is not force we will need to succeed but wits.”