Page 29 of Love Abandoned

“Hopefully it will tide you over until you secure a protector,” he’d said when she’d peeked into the purse.

Now, on his third visit, he’d grown even more weary of her circumstance. He’d become a man with her tutelage, and although he’d made an effort to do right by her when they’d parted, he felt he owed her for it. He worried this information gathering would end badly for her.

“Don’t look so pensive, Thornwood. You need not worry about me,” she said, as though she’d read his mind. She seductively ran a hand along her scantily clad body. “My charms have always seen me through.”

He headed to the door.

“Thornwood.”

He turned. Her smile gone, her hand clutching the purse, she sat up and swung her legs over the bed. “I do thank you for this. You have always been nothing but kind to me.”

Richard left, paying Mrs. Tate the fee before heading to White’s. Patricia’s voice haunted him all the way. There had to be a better way than this for her to survive. He chewed it over as he sipped his cognac, waiting for Walford.

“You could lose your manly bits out there tonight. Snap them right off,” Walford said as he dropped into the chair across from Richard. “Why is town always chillier than the country?”

“Any sign of anyone?” Richard asked, not interested in discussing the weather in London or anywhere else.

Walford shook his head. “No untoward movement at all.” He plucked a cognac from the servant’s tray and took a long sip before continuing. “And that’s it for me. I’m out. The Home Office wants me to distance myself from it all. Apparently I’m too obvious an intermediary for you. The second bit of information got them all fired about not jeopardizing this line of communication in any way. They’ve finally assigned an agent. Two, as a matter of fact.”

Richard’s mood diminished. He’d hoped this would be a short run, but it would seem he must continue. And without Walford. “I’ll miss your reliable companionship.”

“As long as I’m in London, there’s no reason we can’t run in our usual social circles together. It’s the frequency and consistency of these meetings they worry will somehow interfere.” Walford shook his head slowly, clearly not in agreement with their assessment of the situation. “You’ll be in better hands. These men are trained. They’re also going to watch Mrs. Tate’s fine establishment, cataloging comings and goings. As well, they’ll have your back during visits. One will get my privy duty. Lucky sod.” Walford grinned, then grew serious again. “There’ll be an agent out front ensuring you exit after each visit. Much safer. Which may be their greater concern. It would not do for a peer to come to harm at their direction.”

Richard nodded, although he’d not perceived any threat to date. He reached into his jacket, and Walford raised his hand, signaling him to stop. “Not to me anymore. It will go to the agent. Who, for whatever reason, must remain unknown.”

“How the devil do I pass it on to an unknown person?” Richard said, becoming increasingly irritated by it all. He should never have agreed to any of it.

Walford chuckled. “I know. But apparently it is imperative for the safety of both you and the agent that you not know who it is. You are to put the information at the back of the first book on the first shelf in the first case.”

Richard looked at the shelves lining the far wall. “First on left or right?”

“Left. Both the case and the shelf,” Walford said, eyeing him over his cognac.

“First shelf top or bottom?”

“Bottom.”

“What if someone else finds it?”

“When do you see anyone touch these books?” Walford laughed, catching Richard off guard. He could see no amusement in the situation.

“Apparently, most books grabbed randomly are the ones at eye level. The first shelf is far below that. And no one in this room would admit to reading this one, never mind be seen holding it in public.” Walford’s face again lit with merriment. A stark contrast to Richard’s mood.

“The book is a woman’s novel.Love in Excessby Eliza Haywood,” Walford said, leaning forward in his chair. “Relax. I’d wager the agent is in the room already and will watch you do it. He’ll preempt anyone getting it.”

Richard ran a hand through his hair and surveyed the room. He recognized most faces. Was the agent someone he knew? He shook his head. “Confound it all. Soon I’ll be cloaked with a hidden dagger like some damn melodrama.”

Walford guffawed, and some of Richard’s tension eased.

“Do you know when the next exchange will occur?” Walford asked.

“Patricia doesn’t seem to know when she’ll get information. She said she’d contact me when she had something further.”

“Good. Perhaps before she does, these agents will deduce who is giving her this material, and you will be freed of the obligation.”

“It would be of some relief,” Richard said, knowing it was an understatement. His head was spinning. He’d wanted a distraction from Elizabeth, but this was insanity. Nights at a brothel with a half-naked woman, men skulking in the dark, hiding information in a book. He was not built for intrigue.

“While I am left out of the game now, I shall be around to assist should you need it. Catherine has decided to linger in town for longer than planned. She does so enjoy your wife’s company. And the countess’s. A daunting trio, don’t you agree.”

Richard smiled with relief. He’d escaped quickly each day and had hoped Elizabeth was keeping busy, so was pleased to hear that friendship had been warming her days. He’d not liked picturing her lonely in town any more than he’d liked imagining her rambling around the manor alone.

“Please indulge Catherine and join us for some of the entertainments she is queuing up. It was a long four years when I was gone to the continent, and confinement will bring renewed quiet and waiting. I’d have her not dwell on her upcoming isolation yet.”

Richard remembered their own trepidation and exhilaration with William. He also remembered the dread of loss with Sebastian. He would not begrudge them this time of joy with no burden of worry. Or guilt. Besides, a few evenings in Elizabeth’s company, shielded by amiable friends, might be exactly what he needed. “I look forward to it.”

“Good,” Walford said, getting to his feet. “I’ll leave you to your task. Do keep your dagger out of sight,” he said with a laugh and a wave before leaving.

“Will do,” Richard said with a sigh, sizing up the bookcase. When to do the deed and how to ensure discretion? At least he had something to contemplate, and more than enough time to execute the task, while he prolonged returning home.

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