They all looked at each other their mouths open.
Lucinda frowned. “Protect me? From what?”
“You know your father was murdered.”
“Foxton was murdered?” his mother asked, her eyes wide.
“Unfortunately, yes. This information is not to leave this room.” He waited for them all to nod. “Lucinda’s father stole something very important to the Prussians while stationed there as ambassador.”
“So not a gambling debt,” Lucinda muttered.
“No. This document that he stole must have been of national importance for him to risk not only his life but Lucinda’s as well. I believe it was some sort of coded message, perhaps military in nature.” He ran a hand through his hair. “He knew the Prussians were after him, so he placed Lucinda somewhere no one would think to look. A girls’ school for merchants’ daughters. He couldhave left her with her grandfather, but that would not have been safe either. He entrusted his good friend, Admiral Markham, to make sure she stayed hidden, but the reason must have died with him. I am sure that Captain Markham would have ensured the message was passed on had he known. Or he figured enough time had passed for the risk to be less. Obviously, this is not the case.”
“Do you think the Prussians are after Lucinda now?”
“All I know is that now the ton knows who she is and who her father is, it will only be a matter of time before they come looking for her.”
Lucinda started to cry, fidgeting with her ring and he kneeled down in front of her. “None of this is your fault. You could not have known what your father did.”
“I am at fault. I have put you all in danger because I so selfishly wanted to find a husband. I am so very sorry I have put you all in this position.”
“That is not true, my dear. Why should you not have a husband if that is what you desired? Do tell us, though, do you have what your father sacrificed his life for, and you are not telling us?”
“I swear I do not know anything. He left me no letter, nothing like that at all. He left me with a kiss and this ring and that is all.”
“It is just as well he did not leave you anything, but it seems it is of no matter whether you have it or not. The Prussians will assume you do or have hidden it somewhere. You are not safe.”
“Edward, what should we do?” his mother asked her eldest son.
The duke put a comforting hand on his mother’s shoulder. “You cannot go to Ashtonvale; that is the first place they would look.”
“What about my grandfather? Will they harm him also? I was to visit him tomorrow.”
“I don’t think so, but you cannot go to him either just in case. Edward will make sure some runners are sent to guard him so he will be safe. We need to find a place no one would think to look.”
“I have just acquired a hunting lodge in Dorset. I am not sure what state it is in as I have not had a chance to go and see it myself, but no one knows I own it, other than the man I bought it from, and he would not be saying why it came to be mine.”
Tony gave Lucinda’s hands a squeeze before turning towards his brother. “That may be our only option, but I must tell Stafford first. I will go and see him now. I need you all to go and pack. No ball gowns, just serviceable dresses suitable for traveling.”
“Can I bring Sasha?”
“I don’t think it will be a good idea. If we have to hide for any reason she could give us away. I’m sorry, Marianne.”
Marianne, visibly upset, hugged the dog to her chest.
“I’ll look after her,” the duke said.
The dowager stood up to announce, “I shall inform the kitchen we will need food for a long journey.”
Tony nodded. “Do not tell them the destination. Perhaps a house party. They do not need to know the details.”
Marianne glanced at her eldest brother. “What about Max?”
“I will ensure arrangements are made. She will be safe.”
“Who is Max?” Lucinda asked, looking overwhelmed.
Tony turned towards her, his heart squeezing at the sight of her misery. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her and tell her he would protect her with his life, but now was not the time. “I’ll tell you all about her once we are on our way. Now, ladies, please go and pack.”
