Michael stared at him. “You’re braver than me, or stupider. Yeah, we’ll go with the latter.”
“Probably,” Collin replied. “Probably. Nevertheless, at least it’s done. Parliament will have new evidence to make the changes to help prevent the smuggling, and I, among others of theton, will no longer have our good names used for nefarious reasons.”
“All in a day’s work,” Michael replied.
“Indeed.”
Michael turned to the men taking information from McKensie’s office. “I’m going to stay and make sure they get everything. Check the unusual hiding places, make sure nothing is left behind.” Heslapped Collin’s shoulder. “And you, I believe, have a trip to plan for.”
“Indeed, I do.” Collin slapped Michael’s back as well. “Indeed, I do.”
Thirty-two
A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world. He that has these two has little more to wish for; and he that wants either of them will be little the better for anything else.
—John Locke,Some Thoughts Concerning Education
Collin stepped away from the duke’s Cambridge lodgings while the carriage was being loaded. He had a half hour or so before it would be ready to embark, and he had a very important errand to run beforehand. He took the now familiar road toward Michael’s house, a smile tipping his lips at the events of the day before. In truth, he’d been unaware that Michael had been working both sides until two days ago, but it had worked out brilliantly. Michael had gleaned all the information he’d needed from both Olsen and McKensie, and likely the man who had received the black eye from Luke would be arrested soon enough. Michael needed more assistance in arresting them, and Collin was able to procure it, and quickly. After they’d discussed their plan, he’d dispatched a messenger tothe War Office in London, and they’d sent a small group of officers to assist. Everything from then on went to design, at least mostly.
Collin had one regret: not being able to see Olsen’s face when he realized he’d been double-crossed. Beautiful.
As he approached Michael’s door, he knocked twice and waited.
After a moment, the door swung open. “Ah, miss me already?” Michael asked, stepping aside for Collin to enter.
“Desperately,” Collin replied with sarcasm. “Actually, I just had a little unfinished business.” He withdrew the final payment, plus a generous bonus, from his pocket and handed it to Michael.
Michael’s eyes widened, then smoothed in understanding as he tucked the money into his front pocket. He grinned. “All actual money, right? No cut-to-size parchments in between?”
Collin chuckled. “All authentic.”
“Good, thank you.”
“No, thank you. I can say that this was a successful endeavor because of you and your insight and expertise…even if you did wait until the eleventh hour to tell me what you’d known all along,” he added with a wry tone.
“Sort of known, it wasn’t all pieced together.” Michael shrugged. “But you did the piecing, so for that, thank you. We certainly made a good team.”
“We did. If you ever want to dabble further in the War Office’s work, let me know.” Collin extended his hand. “I can’t think of a better man, or friend, Michael Finch.”
Michael took his hand. “Thank you, it’s been mostly a pleasure, my lord,” he teased.
“Mostly,” Collin agreed.
He took his leave and headed back. The carriage was ready when he crossed the street, and he took a final moment to study the building, the street, Cambridge itself. It was time to say goodbye. But what a hell of an experience it had been. He approached the loaded carriage and soon was on his way to London and Elizabeth.
Nearly seven hours later, the carriage turned in at the Westmore residence. Collin hadn’t sent word ahead of him, but Joan knew he’d arrive as soon as the loose ends were tied up in Cambridge.
It was a lovely sight, even if it wasn’t his own home. It was where the people he loved were, and that was enough. As the carriage rolled to a stop, he glanced out the window toward the door and grinned as the butler opened the door and Joan, followed by Elizabeth, came rushing out.
Collin grinned wildly, his gaze flicking past his sister and landing on Elizabeth. Dear Lord, he’d missed her. As the footman opened the door, he stepped out and, before saying hello, strode toward Elizabeth and, propriety be damned, pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Good God, Elizabeth, I missed you.”
“You’re well? Not hurt? It’s over?” she asked, her voice muffled against his coat as she melted into him.
He’d never felt anything more right, more benevolent and true, than Elizabeth in his arms. “It’s over. I’ll tell you all about it later. Just let me hold you for a moment. I need to feel you in my arms.”
“I need to feel you in mine, safe and sound.” She sighed softly. “Drat you for making me worry so much.”
