“I thank you, Mr. Richards, but as much as I would like to—”
“I apologize for interrupting, Miss Wright, but there is something I should like to add before you make your decision.”
She nodded, waiting for him to continue.
“There is one additional advantage to becoming a crown spy. Once your training is complete, you may take on any position in London, be it as a governess, maid…or actress. Whatever you decide, we will ensure that it comes to fruition.”
Mary stood frozen. Her dreams could be realized, as simple as that? With one stipulation; that she become a spy. Could she do it? Could she become a spy for England? She hugged her arms closer around her middle, the cold and humidity of the night seeping easily through her pelisse and dress, soaking deep into her skin. She was chilled, weary, aching, and injured; she wished for nothing more than a bracing wash with a rag, a cup of watered-down tea, and her lumpy but warm bed.
But…what if she could havemore? What if she could be further educated and acquire a position as an actress in London? She could provide for Papa as he aged, realize her dreams,andlive comfortably.
There was no question.
“I would be pleased to accept,” she heard herself say, the puff of her breath against the cool air turning to a wispy cloud of fog before her eyes.
Another grin from Mr. Richards veritably shone in the darkness. “I am pleased to hear it.”
* * *
The following hour was a whirlwind. Mr. Richards escorted Mary home, ensuring that she understood the importance of her silent tongue. She wished that she could tell Papa the whole of the tale, but as Mr. Richards so aptly pointed out, any connection that an enemy may make to loved ones could end poorly, indeed.
They reached her and Papa’s modest crofter’s cottage where she slipped inside to pack her meagre belongings; two dresses, one set of underthings, a pair of half boots, and the beautiful conch shell that had been gifted to her by Gabriel.
She reached between her mattress and the hard-packed earthen floor and retrieved a small pouch of coins. Where she was going, she did not require her savings. This evening’s earnings, where it currently rested in her pocket, ought to suffice for funds. She then strode toward the worn tabletop near the kitchen to one side of the cottage, and placed the pouch atop it, the coins inside clinking. She retrieved a treasured sheet of vellum and penned a note informing Papa that she was to journey to London for a wonderful opportunity and would write and visit soon. She then placed the note beside the pouch and returned outside to Mr. Richards.
It was significantly brighter than an hour before, the moon slowly fading with the lightening of the sky. The air still held a strong chill and Mary shivered, lamenting the loss of her mantle.
Mr. Richards’ gaze flicked down to her attire, then back to her face.
Mary looked down at herself for the first time since her incident with the three men and she could not help the gasp that escaped. Her pelisse and bodice were torn enough to expose the tops of her breasts and a great amount of blood splattered her front, from exposed bosom to the tips of her half boots.
“Oh dear,” she said. “I fear this is far beyond repair.”
He cleared his throat. “We have a modiste and tailor in residence at my estate—Grimsbury Manor. I will have Mrs. McPhee attempt to fix your dress if you like, or she could be commissioned to fashion you an entirely new wardrobe. The choice, of course, is yours.”
Mary looked up at him, amazed. What an ingenious notion. She was, however, short on coin.
She gently shook her aching head. “I fear that my dress will have to go. I have two more in my bag, however; they will have to do until I can earn more coin.”
His grin returned. “I failed to mention, Miss Wright, that our modiste will not work foryourcoin. I employ her just as I do the cook. You may request of her any number of gowns and she shall make them.” His gaze turned meaningful. “If you are to become an actress, you will require a vastly different style of dress. But you shall learn all of that in your lessons.”
Mary nodded, a delighted smile on her lips.
“Are you ready?” Mr. Richards asked.
Mary looked at him. In the dim light of early dawn, she saw how very handsome the man was. He was tall, lean, and had dark waving hair and a grin that surely broke hearts wherever it was brandished.Herheart, however, was unmoved. She supposed that was for the best.
“I am ready.”
