“Please excuse me,” she muttered.
Her sisters watched her with narrowed eyes.
“Where do you think you’re going, Maria?” her mother asked. “We have far too much to accomplish?—”
“His Grace is taking me for a drive—with Heather as chaperone—before we attend the theatre again this evening. I must rest.”
CHAPTER20
“Your Grace.”
Jasper nodded at the footman stationed in his foyer as he strode toward the door. Anticipation buzzed beneath his skin. He was eager to retrieve Maria and resume their search.
“The post arrived, Your Grace.” The footman held out a silver tray with a folded missive atop it.
“Again?” Jasper frowned, accepting the note. “Thank you.”
He recognized the slanted handwriting of the direction, and his pulse tripped.The magistrate. Had he news, at last? He tore the missive open and read.
Your Grace,
I sawMr. Sinclair’s likeness in the newspaper this morning, and I confess I’m disappointed. I have already told you that we have evidence that the man is bound for the Americas aboard a merchant ship. Your interference in our search for Mr. Sinclair’s hired ruffians is unacceptable. I must insist that you publish a retraction in tomorrow’s paper, and halt your obstruction to justice immediately.
Sir Ludlow Vaughan
Magistrate
* * *
Despite the wobblein Maria’s stomach, she strode with affected confidence toward the parlour’s window. The still-fresh wound between her neck and shoulder gave a twinge as she reached to inspect the temporary locking fixture.Secure.
She sighed. The last time she had been in this room, she had been set upon by Francis. No doubt he was too intelligent to repeat his attack of the previous night, but whatever his method, she would be ready.
Muffled footsteps echoed down the corridor, and she wondered who it was. Harris and his men were already stationed belowstairs and in the gardens, many keeping out of sight. And it wasn’t Jasper, for his tread was familiar.
Jasper. Memories of their last moment of privacy filtered through her mind, and her heart hiccoughed. She wanted atrueengagement with him. But how could she tell him, when her words had already failed her? She’d not even introduced him to her brother, for pity’s sake. To tell the man that she desired a devoted love match was too much to be borne.
Indeed, Jasper would likely jilt her once his cousin had been apprehended and hanged. And her heart would break.
Oh no. Her steps faltered as she strode through the dimly lit corridors of Jasper’s home.No, no, no!She could not have allowed herself to lower the walls she’d erected around her heart, and permitted him entrance.
And yet, there he was, secure in her heart with every beat.Jas-per, Jas-per.
“How are you faring?” Grace appeared at Maria’s side, drawing her into the empty dining room.
Maria’s heart gave a littlethwump, but she offered her friend and superior a tremulous smile. “I’m well, Grace. Thank you.”
“A great deal has transpired in a short amount of time,” Grace noted. “I imagine it to be quite overwhelming.”
Maria’s chest squeezed, but she brushed the feeling aside. “Busy, yes. Though I imagine it is naught when compared to your previous life as a spy.”
“Ohpish.” Grace frowned. “I was veritably raised in that life, trained for years in a school designed specifically for Crown spies. You were trained for scarcely a month before you were plunged into a level of danger for which you were ill prepared. Despite the obvious challenges, you are doing an exemplary job.”
Warmth spread through Maria’s middle at the compliment. “Thank you.”
“I see the struggle in your eyes, dear.” Grace gave her a sad half-smile. “I would understand if you felt this position no longer suited you and chose to leave.”
Maria’s heart gave anotherthwumpas she eyed Grace closely.
