Mrs. Pritchard appeared in the doorway. “Pardon, my lord. Major Townsend has arrived. He says it is an urgent matter concerning Mr. Fenwick.”
Lila went still.
Marcus straightened. He nodded once. “Show him to the study.”
Mrs. Pritchard nodded and withdrew.
Lila turned to Marcus, calm but wary. “Has something happened?”
“I will know shortly,” he said. Stay here. I won’t be long.”
She nodded, grateful he had not shielded her with false reassurance.
The study doorshut softly behind them. Major Townsend was not sitting. He stood near the window, hat tucked beneath his arm.
“You said the matter was urgent,” Marcus said.
“It is.” Townsend handed him a folded dispatch.
Marcus read it.
The communication was foreign. Dated nearly two years prior. From Baden.
“It concerns the daughter of a cadet branch connected to a ducal line,” Townsend said quietly. “Not central. But not insignificant.”
Marcus said nothing.
“Her father arranged a marriage meant to secure the branch’s standing. She refused and disappeared before the contract could be formalized. The family kept the matter discreet. No crime. Only… embarrassment.”
Understanding threaded itself into Marcus with slow, precise clarity.
“The lullaby you heard her hum,” Townsend added, “belongs to that branch. Passed from nurse to child. A Morgenwald song.”
Marcus’s breath caught.
Bow Street. Her voice. Henry leaning toward her.
It’s a lullaby my nurse used to sing to me when I was your age.
He had heard it—and not truly listened.
“She is safe here,” Townsend continued. “But if word travels to the wrong ears, her family may attempt to reclaim what they believe they’ve lost. Not from cruelty. From lineage.”
Marcus pressed a hand flat against the desk.
“She will tell me,” he said quietly. “When she is ready.”
Townsend inclined his head. “I trust she will.” He paused. “I will see myself out, Marcus.”
“Thank you, Felix.”
The door clicked shut behind him.
Marcus remained still, the dispatch resting beneath his palm, the echo of the lullaby lingering in the room.
Not in shock.
Understanding.
