“She was on the mark, Thornwood.”
“By God, how can that be?” It all seemed preposterous. At the same time, he’d known it when she’d handed it to him. Part of Patricia’s appeal had always been her lack of artifice. He could not fathom how she’d become embroiled in passing intelligence information.
“The Home Office conferred with the Foreign Office, and they concur it is Scovell’s cipher. They can’t conceive of how she managed to get her hands on such important information. Both sectors are beside themselves.”
“One can imagine,” Richard said, sitting back in his chair.
“They want you to pursue this.” Walford lowered his voice. “To see what else she has. They will supply the coin.”
“Why me? They have men to do this sort of thing, don’t they? Trained men.” Richard had hoped to authenticate the information and pass on the contact.
“For the same reason we assume she chose you. She trusts you.”
“Damn and blast.” Richard had decided to bow out of any further involvement, but he knew Walford was right. Still, he was torn. To participate in spying? It was an ignoble thing to do. Besides, he had an estate to run and a partly advanced business proposal, one he hoped to extend to Walford when his end of the deal was sealed. “And what did you tell them?”
“That I’d ask you.”
Richard ran a hand through his hair. “Your thoughts?”
“About intelligence gathering or your participating in it?” Walford grinned, although his eyes remained serious.
“Both.”
“Wellesley is adamant about the use of intelligence, both operational and strategic. It has saved many lives. Although, on occasion it has cost them too. There are sometimes misleading reports. It is why the accuracy of this one stunned them.” Walford took a sip of his brandy. “From a personal standpoint, intelligence reports ensured Marmont and Soult were unable to combine forces at Badajoz. I might not be here today had they managed it.”
Richard rested his glass on his knee, conflicted. On one hand, he’d no desire to become embroiled in spying. On the other hand, there were men like Walford out there, fighting on the peninsula. Their very lives might depend on information.
A light tap sounded at the door, and Lady Walford poked her head in. “Nicholas, I need you.”
The change in Walford’s expression was instant as they both jumped to their feet.
“Are you unwell?” Walford was across the room in seconds.
“What? Oh no, my love. I am fine.” She ran her hand over her midriff. “We are fine. It’s time for dinner.”
He’d not known Lady Walford was with child. He recalled the excitement when Elizabeth had told him about William. How right the world was back then. The look on Walford’s face was too much to bear. The last two years had been too much to bear. Richard swallowed the lump in his throat and waited until the door had closed behind Lady Walford. “I’ll do it.”
Walford looked surprised. “You’re certain? It’s safer here than on the continent, but it does not come without some dangers.”
Richard nodded slowly. “I’m certain. For king and home.”
To have something to keep him physically from home. To keep his thoughtsofhome at bay. But he kept that part of the decision to himself.