“Hmmm.” Trent straightened. “She is a pretty little thing. You know I will help you no matter what, boss. Mr. Bosely will drive you out of town. You’ll need to rent rooms, change horses, feed them. Gonna cost you a pretty penny to make it to Wiltshire.”
“Money isn’t a problem.”
Malcolm’s meeting with his family’s solicitors had gone better than expected. The Duke of Hartwick had hired a reputable land manager all those years ago and the firm had handled the collection of rents. They’d sent him bi-yearly reports since he had turned eighteen. But he had largely ignored the correspondence, when he actually received it. Being at sea did not make for timely post. The solicitors had been surprised, to say the least, when he walked into their office to request a meeting. All the numbers had made his head swim, but the long and short of it was that he had an enormous sum of money saved in his accounts.
Trent raised his eyebrows.
Malcolm sighed. “Look, the Marquess of Kingsbury is not a cover for the assignment. I am he.”
“I knew you come from a fancy family but I didn’t realize you held the title.”
“I lost all my family when I was a child. I have never wished to take up the title and all that it entails. I am just a sailor.”
Trent snorted. “You have been hiding out. But now you have a fancy lady to win. She will want the title for sure. You better get used to it.”
Trent was right. If he wanted to marry Adeline, he must be the Marquess of Kingsbury. His name would help protect her from the scandal when her father was accused of stealing the artifacts. He straightened his shoulders. It was only a name, after all. And it wasn’t cursed like so many had whispered after his brother took his own life. Back then, grown-ups had never seemed to notice that he was sitting right there as they gossiped about his family.
He clapped Trent on the shoulder. “Thanks for your help. You are a good friend.”
“I am. With theConstellationdocked for the next month. I will have to be working under Captain Harris.” Trent grimaced.
They both looked over when the back door creaked open. Adeline emerged with that same large carpet bag she’d had in the bookshop gripped in both hands. Good Lord, the woman had been choosing reading material.
He walked over. “I was about to go searching for you.”
He reached for the bag, but she held fast to the handles. “Allow me to carry your bag.” He gave it a gentle tug.
“It needs to come inside the carriage with me.”
“Not a problem,” he assured her as she allowed him to take the bag. It was heavy. “How many books did you bring?”
Adeline let out a small, choked sound. “Oh, a few. To keep me entertained. And to read when I am rusticating at Millstone. There is no library there.”
She looked quite skittish, her eyes darting around the dark garden like she was considering turning tail and bolting back inside.
Malcolm held out a hand. “Ready?”
“I suppose.” She slipped her gloved hand into his.
The three of them moved through the garden gate and out to the alley.
“Good evening, Commander.” Mr. Bosely tipped his cap.
“Good evening, Mr. Bosely. This is Lady Amberley.” Malcolm looked down at Adeline. “Mr. Bosely is a midshipman aboard my ship. He will be driving us.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Bosely.”
Malcolm opened the door to the carriage he had rented and helped Adeline inside. Then he turned to Mr. Bosely. “You know where we are headed?”
“Yes, sir. The lieutenant filled me in.” Bosely climbed up into the box.
Malcolm turned to Trent. “Thanks again for your help organizing our getaway.”
“No trouble, sir.” He saluted. “Have fun on your honeymoon.”
“Honeymoon?” Adeline’s voice squawked from inside the carriage.
Malcolm quickly climbed inside and shut the door. One small lantern dimly illuminated the interior of the carriage. He flashed Adeline a smile, hoping to put her at ease. “I told the chaps the same thing you told your maid—that we were eloping. Seemed the easiest thing to explain why I was stealing you from your bedroom at ten o’clock at night.”
