Lucinda said nothing, but she hugged his arm as they continued to walk. “I am ashamed to say,” he went on, “that I had become quite the problem for my whole family. Stafford picked me up one day, off the street as I was walking home from a…” He looked down at Lucinda. “Not nice place. He offered me a job. Something that allowed me to use my skills for the betterment of the country.”
She frowned and then said. “So, what does that mean?”
“I find out information and relay it back to Stafford.”
“Like a spy?”
“Yes.”
She stopped, her eyes wide with shock, and studied his face. “And Captain Markham?”
“He works with us but is still technically in the British army.”
“Does Beckett also belong to your organization?” Tony only nodded. “I know nothing about spies, but it makes sense. Your trunk of old clothes, the proximity to the back garden. Your coming and going at all hours. This house.” She bent to pick up the stick and threw it again for the dog. “Does everyone in the family know?”
“No. Only Edward and he only recently. You cannot tell the others. It must remain our secret.”
“And this is why you cannot be married?”
“Yes. It is a rule: no titles or marriages. They only cause distraction for us and pain for the wife and children we may leave behind if something were to happen to us.”
“I see.” They continued to walk in silence for a short time. “It is time to go back inside. I need time to think about all this.” She disengaged her hand from his and walked back to the house, leaving him to watch her go.
Had he done the wrong thing in telling her? Did the fact that he did love her mean nothing?
Marianne entered Lucinda’sroom; her face was bright with excitement. “I should have known. Tony is Lord A. It all makes sense now… but why are you crying?”
Lucinda looked up at Marianne, her face covered in tears. “He told me he loves me.”
“So, these are happy tears?” Marianne said, sitting down next to her.
She shook her head. “He will not marry me.”
Marianne frowned and put her arm around Lucinda. “Why ever not?”
“Because, obviously, he loves his position with Stafford more than me. He is not willing to give it up even for love, even for me.”
Marianne pulled Lucinda into her arms. “Well, that is ridiculous. No position is worth giving up true love.”
“He thinks otherwise.”
“Well, that is nonsense. Wait until Mother hears this!”
“Please, do not make a fuss. I have already caused you all a lot of trouble. I mean, look where we are! Stuck in this house because of me.” She let out a loud sigh, her shoulders slumped.
“We are not here because of you. It is because of your father. None of this is your fault.”
Lucinda twisted the corner of her shawl. “But if it were not for me none of us would be here in this predicament.”
“I’ll go and get us some… tea.” Marianne scurried from the room before Lucinda could say she really did not want tea.
“Anthony Charles Ashton!”Marianne said as she strode into the room. “Have you lost your wits?”
Tony looked up from the LondonTimesnewspaper. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you or do you not love Lucinda?”
“Not that it is any of your business, but yes, God help me I do love her.”
