Page 17 of The Banished Bride
The same signal echoed back to him from within the cottage. After a moment, the door swung half open. “The Peninsula is hot,” said a low voice.
“But not as hot as London these past few months,” replied Alex.
A figure slipped out from the darkened interior. “Ahh, Major Lord Fenimore—that is, Lord Woodbridge. I had expected you rather earlier.” The man’s pistol was still at the ready as he shot a look over Alex’s shoulder. “Where is Urquehart?”
“Dead.” Alex dropped his own weapon to his side. “Along with the fellow who set the ambush.”
The other man frowned. “Damnation. What happened?”
“I’ll explain in a bit. But first let me fetch my horse.”
“You can tether him behind the rocks, along with mine. It’s well out of the view of any casual observer. By the way, sir, I’m Wheatley.”
Alex acknowledged the introduction with a curt nod. “I’ve heard a good word about you from the general. You’re Sedgewick’s son—the one who helped pluck Captain Hinchley from the coast of Brittany. A neat piece of work.”
The younger man dipped his head in awkward acknowledgement. “Rather it is you whose exploits are legendary, milord. I look forward to working with a man of your experience and ability.”
Ha! thought Alex to himself with a wry grimace. Not in a moment you won’t.
He was, however, a bit more circumspect when he spoke aloud. “There has, I’m afraid, been a bit of a complication addedto the original plan. I do have someone with me, though not the man either you or I expected.” Before Wheatley could voice the question that was forming on his lips, Alex finished off in a rush. “I’ll explain that later as well, but it would be safer for the person in question if our real identities remain a secret, in case of any trouble. There is to be no mention of Woodbridge or Fenimore. Just call me Alex.”
The man nodded in understanding. “Very good, sir. The I imagine I am to be simply Jack.”
“Right. Now I’d best go get her.” Under his breath he added, ”Before she takes it into her lovely head to make off with my mount.”
“Her!” exclaimed the other man in disbelief, but the earl was already around the corner. “Hell’s Teeth.”
Some minutes later, Jack couldn’t help but repeat the oath on seeing a willowy figure clad in skirts duck through the door.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance as well,” retorted Aurora, her chin lifting a fraction. “You may be sure, sir, I am no more pleased with the situation than you are.”
Unaware that his words were quite so audible, the agent from London had the grace to color. “Er, I did not mean, that is, I?—”
Aurora ignored his stammering. With a toss of her head, she undid the strings of her bonnet and shook out her curls, causing the man’s words to become even more jumbled. Her eyes raked over the small wooden table, the bare earthen floor and several wooden crates, then fell back on Alex.
“Now what?”
He kept his expression remained impassive, though her feisty reaction nearly drew a grin. “I’m sure you would like to rest for a bit,” he said smoothly. “No doubt there is a pallet of some sort in the other room where you might lie down, is there not, Jack?”
“Yes. Though it’s hardly the sort of thing fit for a … lady,” croaked Jack. “I did not expect?—”
“Nor did I,” interrupted Aurora dryly. “I’m sure it will do.” She reached for her valise before Alex could picked it up and stalked to the flimsy door that divided the already small space in half. “I take your hint, sir, that the presence of a mere female is deemed unnecessary, now that there are serious matters to discuss.” There was no mistaking the edge of sarcasm undercutting her words. “Well, it is to be hoped that two male brains will be sufficient to come up with a suitable plan.” Her tone, however, indicated she wasn’t betting on it.
“Good lord,” breathed Jack, wiping at his forehead with the sleeve of his jacket once the door fell shut with a rather loud bang. “Who in the name of Hades is that?”
“That,” replied Alex with a twitch of his lips, “is Mrs. Aurora Sprague.”
The other man gave him a look that bordered on reproach. “I have heard whispers of your, er, reputation with the ladies, sir, but?—”
“The redoubtable Mrs. Sprague has offered up not her virtue, but her timely assistance. Without her help I would likely not be alive.” He then went on to explain all that had happened since his landing near the town of Ayr.
Jack gave a low whistle when the account was finished. “So they knew when and where you were coming, as well as your exact identity.” He shook his head and his expression became very grim. “Things are even worse than we imagined. There are only a handful of men who knew all of that information. And I would have been willing to bet my life on it that they all were above suspicion.”
Alex rubbed at his jaw but said nothing.
“The devil take it,” continued Jack, giving vent to his frustration with the low oath. “It makes no sense. Each of them has an exemplary record in the service of his country.”
“No debts or gambling losses or other such pressures that might drive a man to desperate acts?” asked Alex.
