“Lydia, I must leave in the morning for a fortnight. I never dreaded leaving Forde Abbey before, but I loathe the idea now. But I have no choice. I have people expecting me who need what I have.”
“I’m guessing it isn’t tea.”
“That’s what I will tell people if they look, but don’t get too close. I’m meeting Rajesh at Powderham, picking up the cargo, and sailing to Calais.” Keith brushed hair back from her face and drew locks from over her shoulder before smoothing it down her back. “I don’t want to share this with you, then have you think I walked away—or sailed away—with ease. This meant everything to me.”
“I don’t want to regret any of this, but it’s hard not to wonder if it was a mistake if you’re leaving right away.”
“I’m coming back, Lyddie. I’m coming back to you if that’s what you want.”
Lydia glanced down and nodded. She felt vulnerable admitting that, even when he’d already told her more than once he wanted her. How did she know if he was telling the truth? She wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust he wasn’t spinning a tale. But she was in over her head, having shared no type of intimacy with a man, let alone coming so close to coupling.
“I want that.” Their eyes met as she responded.
“This isn’t over between us, little one. At least, I don’t want it to be. Think about what you want while I’m gone. If you change your mind, I will respect that. What happened here is only for us to know.”
Lydia snickered. “And all your servants. They’re likely already talking about it.”
“They don’t know it was you if they know anything at all. They work for a smuggling duke. They’re paid exceptionally well for their silence.” Keith feathered a kiss against her lips. “If you still want me when I return, then we’ll decide what happens. But to be clear, Lydia, I will never ask you to be my mistress. That is not something I will consider. Ever. I would never disgrace you by asking or dishonor you by making such an arrangement.”
Lydia nodded, too tongue tied to say anything. He hadn’t proposed or even asked to court her, but she could only assume that’s what he meant. Her visceral reaction was to scream yes, but she wouldn’t until she was clear about his intentions, and he actually asked. She finally gathered her thoughts and responded.
“I could never agree to such. My parents would kill us both.” As Keith listened, he knew only one of them would wind up dead, and it wasn’t the daughter of the baronet and the princess. “I wouldn’t shame my family that way.”
“I know, sweetling. You must go before it grows dark. I detest thinking about you walking alone as often as you do, but especially at night.”
“I know I’m safe during the day.”
“Daylight is no guarantee.”
“But you are. I know you watch me, Keith. I’ve seen you in the window. I didn’t go to the beach nearly as often before we truly met. Even from a distance, I know I’m safe with you.”
“Lydia, I might see someone approach you, but I could never get there fast enough. It’s not my right to tell you what you can and can’t do. I never want to be that controlling, but I wish you wouldn’t be alone so much. It frightens me.”
“You, the Blond Marauder, frightened?” Lydia chuckled, hoping to ease some of his seriousness.
“Terrified, Lyddie. After what happened to Jemma and Ben, I really wish you wouldn’t. He was armed, and I was still able to overpower him because I came with my men. I won’t speak ill of your parents, but I don’t agree with them.”
“Next time you see me down there, look east to the third hillock before the bend. I’m not really alone. I always have an armed groom with me, usually two, so they don’t grow too bored while they wait.”
Keith’s brow furrowed. He’d always scanned the surroundings when she appeared, and he’d seen no one nearby. It’s to that he objected. “I’ve looked, sweetling. I’ve never seen anyone. I’m not convinced they are where you believe.”
“You can’t see the far side from the abbey. But you can on the beach. I promise, I’m not alone.” Lydia stood, and Keith followed. She rose onto her toes and kissed his jaw. Keith gave a resigned nod. He didn’t want to argue, but he was unconvinced. “I won’t go down there without my groom with me while you’re gone. I don’t want to distract you with worry.”
“Thank you, because I would worry. I will anyway, but this eases it a touch.” They walked to the wall with the hidden latch, but Keith remembered why’d she’d originally come to the library. He gathered the book she had selected and brought it to her. “Today was the first time I found you in here. You’re quite stealthy. You come from good smuggling stock. But I suspected you visited. I hoped you would find this. I put it there for you.”
Lydia accepted the book, staring at the cover.
Travels. It’s to remind me of him. That he’s traveled far afield.
She squeezed it to her chest before rising on her toes once more. Keith lifted her off her feet for a final kiss before she slipped into the tunnel, a torch in hand this time.
CHAPTER3
Keith wiped sweat from his brow as he and his crew unloaded the last barrel of gunpowder. He stood on a makeshift dock near the Calais harbor. He couldn’t sail directly into the French port, since the British government banned its merchants from trading with the French. But it wasn’t a francophone with whom he did business. It was a member of the Royal Navy desperate for ammunition the British government didn’t supply. The East India Company failed to produce enough to meet the demand, so it created a need Keith willingly supplied.
“When can you return with more?” Captain Smithers asked.
“In a month, maybe two. The next batch heads to the Americas. Our soldiers need the tea along the west coast.” No one ever spoke the truth aloud, always using a code. With this sailor, Keith kept it simple.
