Which was true enough, although it pierced his heart to see the gleam in Tabitha’s eyes fade.It was only for an instant, for she smiled as she pushed her untouched wine aside.
“Come, my love,” she said to Lily.“We must say goodnight.”
It was time, past time, that he told her the truth.And yet before Meade, he felt tongue tied.Instead, rising when she and Lily did, he murmured, “I have to follow Smith.”
“Of course you do.Do keep us informed.”She barely looked at him, merely bestowed a smile upon Meade.“We look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Lieutenant.Good night.”
She was walking away from him, and it was only right.He had made promises that he would offer for Lily, if she did not dislike him.The girl might even expect it.At any rate, it appeared to be his duty.Lying to her, of course, was hardly a great start to their relationship.In fact, his irresponsible adventure was threatening misery all round.
Or perhaps Tabitha had merely dismissed him from her thoughts.After all, she was a lady of sophistication and must have men in constant pursuit.
“Sir, are you well?”Meade broke into his thoughts.
Immediately, Jack smoothed his brow and produced a smile.“Oh, perfectly.Forgive me, I was wool gathering.”
Meade leaned forward.“About our friends?”He nodded toward the next table.
“Yes.”
“What exactly is the problem?Because he came via France?”
“In war time, smuggling has become more than a revenue problem,” Jack said.“If goods can come in and out unchecked, so can people.”
Meade stared at him with some respect.“Good God.I never thought of that.”
“I have read certain reports,” Jack said apologetically.Although he had never formally taken his seat in the House of Lords, the influence of his title and his guardians ensured he was kept dutifully informed.
“But the man sounds as English as you or I.”
“I have heard him speak French too, like a native.Hardly a crime, I grant you, but it does raise certain suspicions concerning his story.”
“He must surely report his arrival to the authorities...What do you intend to do?”
Jack almost fell off his chair in surprise.Had anyoneeverasked him his intentions before?He was much more used to peopletellinghim what to do, what was his duty, what best for his health, his family, his land, and his people.Yet here was this soldier, not so very much older than Jack, perhaps, but with considerably more experience of the world, of commanding men in war, askinghim...And Meade didn’t even know he was the duke.
“Follow him and alert the authorities if I need to,” Jack said.
“Do you need company?”Meade asked seriously.“I am happy to help.”
Jack smiled.“I shan’t try and fight them.I know my limitations.”
“Not sure you do, old fellow.”Meade raised his glass to him.“I must admit, I never expected to run into such charming people when I stumbled across this place.I even locked my door before I fell asleep in case I was robbed.”
“You still might be, though I suspect Rains has enough on his plate right now.I’d lock your doors again, including cupboards.”Jack had read of thieves’ inns and rookeries full of secret passages and traps...And he hadn’t warned Tabitha.
He rose abruptly.“I should retire and be ready for an early start.”
Meade rose with him and held out his hand.“Pleasure to have made your acquaintance, sir.I hope we meet again.”
“So do I,” Jack said in surprise, gripping the offered hand before he went in search of someone to show him where to sleep.
Mrs.Rains did the honours somewhat ungraciously, leading him along dark and none too clean passages where cobwebs brushed his face.He caught occasional glimpses of closed doors in the solitary candle flame, and then abruptly they were at the end of the passage with a door facing them, and one on either side.
If his sense of direction had not been addled by the winding corridors, they were at the back of the house.“Where are the ladies staying?”he asked on impulse.
He more than half expected her to bridle and tell him off, and to claim, however insincerely, the respectability of the house.In his experience over the last few weeks, innkeepers were extremely careful of their reputations.
Mrs.Rains merely cackled and jerked her head at the end door facing the length of the passage, while she opened the one on the right.She walked in first and lit a solitary candle.By its light, he could make out a narrow bed with his saddle bags dumped upon it.The room smelled musty, as if it had not been slept in for years.
