Page 3 of The Hired Hero
Caroline, already at the butler’s side, was horrified to see an ugly splotch of dark crimson spread across the front of his shirt.
The man’s face was caked with mud and sweat, his lips chapped and bleeding. “The duke…” he whispered, barely loud enough for them to make out the words. “Papers…”
He clutched at a small oilskin packet that was hanging by a cord around his neck as a cough welled up in his throat, bringing a trickle of blood to the corners of his mouth.
“Steady now. You’re safe here.” Darwin took the man’s hand in his own.
The man’s eyes fluttered open. “From France. Names…he’s trying to get…” His chest gave a convulsive heave, and the faint words trailed off.
“We must send for Doctor Belding immediately,” cried Caroline. “The poor man
must…”
Darwin looked up at her. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” Gently removing the packet from around the man’s neck, he straightened and took Caroline by the arm. “Ned and William will see to the poor fellow.”
He guided her back to the library and then placed the travel-stained packet in the middle of the duke’s desk. They stared at it wordlessly for a few moments.
Darwin cleared his throat. “It seems His Grace had every right to be concerned,” he said softly.
Caroline only nodded, then reached out slowly…
“Lady Caroline!”
She took up the packet, then reached for her father’s letter opener.
“Lady Caroline!” repeated Darwin. “What in heaven’s name do you think you’re doing?”
Caroline regarded him calmly, her eyes as steely as her father’s. “The man gave his life to get these papers to my father. I have to know what they contain so we may decide what to do.”
“You…you don’t mean to read them?” Darwin’s voice cracked slightly.
The letter opener had already severed the thread holding the oilskins together. “That is exactly what I intend to do.”
Several leaves of thin paper, folded together and sealed with wax, fell out. Caroline picked them up and, with just a hint of hesitation, broke the seal.
Darwin let out a strangled sigh.
It took only a minute or two to read the contents. Her eyes came up slowly to meet those of the butler. “Good Lord,” she breathed. “This is a list of contacts and addresses of our intelligence-gathering rings from Paris to Brussels.”
They both stared at each other as the implications sank in.
“If it were to fall into the wrong hands…” She drew in a ragged breath. “These papersmustreach the minister in London without fail. Tell Crocket to have the carriage ready to leave as soon as possible.”
Darwin seemed to read her mind. “You can’t mean to…”
“Yes—I mean to take the papers to London myself.”
“Lady Caroline, whoever is after these papers has killed once to get them. He will not hesitate to do so again!” he protested.
“Yes, and can you imagine how many shall die if he does get his hands on them?”
Darwin’s lips tightened. “But your father made it clear he didn’t want you anywhere near those papers—and with good reason!”
“My father would agree that these papers must get to London, no matter what.”
“Lady Caroline.” The butler’s voice resonated with emotion. “Icannotlet you put yourself in such danger.”
“I don’t see that you have any choice. Do you think I would be so cowardly as to send one of the grooms or footmen—or anyone else?” She stared pointedly at him, taking in his reedy legs, slowed now by a touch of rheumatism. “Besides, that is exactly what our enemy will expect—a lone courier on horseback. On the other hand, I imagine he will not be on the lookout for a nondescript carriage carrying a lone female and her maid, especially if we stay off the highways.”
