Two years ago, Miranda 'Rain' Howerty sent the gossip mill into a frenzy when she married the elusive Duke of Winterbourne, Marcus Dashcombe, a mere two months into the Season. But what was meant to be a dashing love affair turned sour already on th...
Rain tilted her head to look at Mr Thomson, who stood a few feet away watching her, as she placed a little hat on Malvern's head. Crocheting had never been her strong suit, and the hat probably wasn't the best-looking thing she'd ever created, but it did look absolutely adorable on the small hedgehog. The mouth of the dour agent barely twitched. After several days with the man, she couldn't remember even once having seen him smile. This hat for Malvern had been her latest attempt. She was fully aware a hedgehog didn't actually need a hat.
"For what it's worth, I think he looks dashing."
Turning her head, she smiled at Mr Hemsworth, who sat on a marble bench next to her rose bushes. The handsome agent had arrived at Winterbourne Hall two days after her and Thomson, to the latter's obvious annoyance. Maybe he had wanted the sole responsibility of her safety. Or maybe he just didn't like Hemsworth. She wasn't sure, and she didn't get involved.
Personally, she quite liked the new arrival. He'd told her Marcus had personally asked for his presence, and that was all the endorsement she needed. Though she suspected she would have liked him anyway, as he was always quick to smile—unlike Mr Thomson.
"He does, doesn't he?" She grinned at the auburn-haired agent before looking back at Malvern. He was currently busy munching on his nightly plate of food, with his little hat tilting precariously to the side. Not wanting it to get caught on anything, she carefully took it off the animal before standing up and brushing off the skirt of her dress.
The day was waning, and dusk was settling over the expansive gardens of Winterbourne Hall. She loved the house and grounds of Marcus's ancestral home. Until now, she had spent most of her time here alone while he remained in London, and she was feeling strangely excited about the prospect of them living here together going forward. They had only ever spent the one week a year when his mother held her annual Winter event living under the same roof, and they had made sure to spend as little of it as possible together.
With her two guards following closely behind, she walked back towards the house. She hoped Marcus would return soon. He'd not been gone a full week, but she already missed him. Had since shortly after he'd left. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions and painful memories. But also of healing. She had forgiven him for the way their courtship started. He cared for her. She knew he did. And she loved him. Something she had vowed to tell him as soon as he returned. She felt quite certain she could get him to love her as well, if he didn't already. He obviously had a hard time expressing his feelings. A smile lingered on her lips. She'd help him with that, too.
She hoped all was well with her sister and Lord Winter. Whatever was going on had made Marcus leave rather quickly, so it must be serious. And a special license? What was going on?
There was a rustling of leaves up ahead, and Mr Thomson stepped in front of her as he pulled a pistol out from inside his coat. Mr Hemsworth hurried ahead of them, an additional barrier between Rain and whatever had made the sound. A prickle in her side reminded her of the last time she'd come into close contact with whoever had attacked her, and she gratefully hid behind the agents.
When they saw nothing, Mr Hemsworth motioned for them to remain as he ventured further to investigate, disappearing around a row of tall rose bushes. Putting her hand on Mr Thomson's shoulder, Rain almost didn't dare to breathe as they waited. His shoulder shifted beneath her touch, and she forced herself to loosen her grip but didn't fully let go. A moment later, Hemsworth came back around the bushes, his unsteady gait recognisable even in the dusk of the early evening.
"Nothing," he said as he approached.
Rain could feel Mr Thomson relax, but his shoulders hunched a moment later as two people came around from the opposite side. Recognising the height and wide-shouldered frame of her husband, Rain made to move forward, but her guard held his arm out to keep her behind him.
"Marcus!" she called out, wanting to catch his attention.
He stopped and turned towards her. "Rain!"
Again, she tried to move, but Mr Thomson held her back.
"It's Marcus," she said, wondering if somehow he had missed that very simple fact. Looking back at her husband, she tried to see who he had brought back with him, but it was difficult to tell from the distance in the waning light. Why wasn't he coming to embrace her? An icy shiver of trepidation trickled down her back. "Marcus? Is Nick all right?"
"Your sister is fine," he replied, his words oddly restrained.
"How did it go down south?" Mr Thomson asked, still keeping Rain from walking away, which was beginning to frustrate her.
"As well as expected," Marcus replied as he slowly came closer, his steps measured. "We found the Frenchman and apprehended him. They've taken him to the War Office for interrogation. Turns out he wanted Nicola Howerty's estate. The list was a secondary objective."
"Oh? That's interesting." The tone of Mr Thomson's voice belied his words.
Marcus stopped a few paces away from them. "It's almost as if he came here to England intending to find a way to get people and goods into the country, and someone offered him the opportunity of a lifetime. A list of current and former War Office operatives. Something which must have been offered by someone who had access to such information."
"Mr Brown," Thomson muttered.
"Or someone working closely with him."
Something wasn't right. The agent wouldn't let her move, and Marcus stood still a short distance away. Rain was just about to say something when she heard the click of the pistol next to her head. She froze as Mr Thomson pulled her closer, his grip on her upper arm painfully tight.
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