Page 88 of Love Abandoned

“Wherever you sent her, I imagine.” Miller sniffed in the blood and coughed as he tried to free an arm.

The two men tightly held him in place. Walford growled and raised his arm, and Miller flinched.

“I didn’t need her to get the money. You’re an easy mark,” Miller said, turning his attention to Richard before looking back to Walford. “I knew you would be more of a challenge. You were supposed to be holed up at yournewestate.” He struggled, but the men did not loosen their grips.

“Was the Home Office in on this?” Walford asked, staring past Miller, at the domino, who shook his head.

“You don’t want your good name sullied, now do you?” Miller asked, returning his attention to Richard. “Mrs. Tate keeps records of payment. She was kind enough to share them with me. Clever woman also ensured there were gentlemen witnesses to your presence. It would seem she’s not particularly fond of you.” He tsk-tsked, then licked the blood off his lips. “I’m sure Lady Thornwood would enjoy seeing and hearing your name linked with a common whore’s.”

This time, it was Walford who stopped Richard from landing another punch. The more Miller talked, the more Richard’s anger grew. The blood was pounding in his temple, and for the first time in his life, he understood what drove a man to kill.

“There’s the small detail of sharing information from the Crown,” Walford said.

“You can’t prove I had anything to do with it. No trail. None at all.” Miller smiled.

“Is that true?” Walford once again directed his question at the domino, who shook his head.

“So you can call off your dogs now.” Miller looked far too confident for a man who’d just tried to extort a lord, never mind one who was on the hook for spying on his own government.

“They’re not my dogs,” Richard said quietly, and Miller struggled to look at the two men. It struck Richard that Miller had not arranged for backup. The scoundrel thought the men holding him were hired by either him or Walford. It was clear Walford knew exactly who they were, although Richard still hadn’t figured it out.

There was a commotion by the gate, and Richard turned in time to see Sophia shake her head at the two pirates who’d arrived. Sophia stood and walked toward them, her breathing now returned to normal. “My men will take him.” She scanned Miller from head to toe and back up again very slowly. “They will travel the long way to the Home Office.”

Her composure was magnificent, and Richard marveled at it. He’d always known her as daring and determined, but she was tough as old boots too. She was unmoved by Miller’s blanched and bleeding face and the panic that was clear in his eyes. More surprising was how the men readily handed Miller over to the pirates without question.

“I must see to my guests,” Sophia said. “Fino a domani.” She turned and followed her men. The domino thrust his chin in the direction of the departing trio, and the other man nodded and disappeared after them.

The domino raised a finger to the lips on his mask as Walford was about to speak. He turned and headed toward the lake. Richard and Walford walked behind him, neither saying a word. Richard had many questions, but he kept them to himself for now. It was enough the culprit had been caught and, it appeared, Patricia had never been in jeopardy.

They mounted the stairs and entered the summerhouse. Richard and Walford stood silently as the domino walked to the fireplace and grabbed the tinderbox off the mantelpiece. A minute later, he lit a candle, walked over to a side table, and lit the lantern. He turned to the two of them and slowly untied his mask before dropping it on the table.

“By God, it really is you.” Walford’s voice was hoarse as he stepped toward the domino and pulled him into an embrace. The domino hugged him tightly back.

Richard had no idea what was going on, but he’d had enough adventure for one night. His legs were unsteady, and his hand ached. He sat on an overstuffed chair and put his head back. Whatever this back pounding was about, it wasn’t his business. He was finally done with all the cloak-and-dagger. Done with hiding. From Elizabeth. From himself. He smiled at the ceiling.I’ll be home soon.

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