Lucinda’s heart twisted in her chest. It could have all gone so wrong. She had feared for her life, yes, but she was more worried about Tony and those she had come to love. How upset they would have been had Stafford’s plan for her to disappear gone ahead. “Me either. I hated that the last time we saw each other we quarreled.”
“I was wrong.”
“You trusted him. I understand that.”
“As soon as we knew what it was, we should have destroyed it.”
“I still would have fought to keep it, because my father gave it to me. But now I see it was not the token of love I thought it was. It was simply a hiding place for his dirty deeds.”
“You did the right thing, throwing it somewhere no one will ever find it. I am very proud of you.” He kissed her neck, and she leaned back into his embrace.
Warmed by his jacket and his love, she started to drift off to sleep, but then a thought came that made her wide awake again. “With Stafford gone what will happen to the Ring? Your position?”
“It will most likely be disbanded, and in any case I was an idiot. A position does not make a man. How he conducts himself is more important. I will find my way because I will have you with me.”
Everything that the man had told her when he was tying her up to the chair came to her in a rush. “Stafford said there is anger brewing between the Prussians and the Austrians. I guess we will never know who really wanted the formula.”
“It does not matter. We may not know what the future holds but we can be safe in the knowledge that we did not contribute to it.” Tony hugged her close “He may have killed your father for it, but now at least your father’s sacrifice was not for nothing. No one can be hurt by it now.”
They had reached Warrington House. The family came rushing out to meet them. Marianne was crying, as was her mother, and Edward looked weary too. Once ensconced once more in the safety and warmth of the parlor, Lord Dunstan produced something from his pocket.
“I found this on the table in the shack.”
“What does it say?” Marianne asked as they all milled around Lucinda as she broke the seal.
“It is a letter. It says that I have been a burden to you all and that I wanted to make my own way in the world. It says I thank you for your help, but I need a fresh start. It ends withplease do not look for me.” She looked at Tony. “This proves he was going to make me disappear.”
At one time, she may have thought this, but Stafford did not know her heart. He did not know how much she loved Tony and his family. To abandon them in such a way would have been unforgivable and unlike her. She was sure that Tony would have figured it out quickly enough and would have searched for her. She knew deep within her he would always protect her with everything he had.
They spent the next hour telling them all what had happened at the shack by the Thames. How Dunstan had tried to warn them through the painting. “I will, of course, repaint over the letter behind his back,” he had said.
“No. You should leave it,” Lucinda said. “It will make a great story one day to tell our future children.”
“I will file an official report tomorrow, though who I would give it to is up for grabs it seems.”
“You can give it to me. I will make sure it reaches the right people,” said the duke.
“The Ring will be no more, surely,” said Dunstan.
“Oh, I would not say that. Someone will step up to take over.” The duke sat by his mother, who smiled at him with pride.
“You?” Tony asked.
“Good Lord, no. I have enough on my plate. I am sure a good candidate will show up sooner rather than later.”
Dunstan laughed. “Well, it will not be me. I have had my fill of this life. I loved it once but now… I think I will stick to painting. I do hope, Miss Sterling, you will forgive me for my part in this sorry tale.”
She nodded. But she was simply too weary to know how she felt about Dunstan right now.
Tony walked Dunstan to the door just as dawn was breaking over the London skyline. “I should thank you for your help.”
“It was the least I could do for my part in this mess. I wanted to come to you directly as soon as I found out, but I knew Stafford was watching the safe house intently. I knew if I just put enough clues in the painting, that you would confront me. I was unaware at the time you were at the safe house.”
“I wish you had told me when I came to your house.”
“I did not know then.”
“It does not matter now. It is over. Go home, Dunstan.”
