“I did, knowing she needed to address what he did to her,” Kendrick responded. “Lady Hungerton only spent five minutes with him, but it was enough time for her to say what needed to be said. Unfortunately for her, she will be going into mourning to at least pretend to grieve the loss of her husband.”
“Not that there is much to mourn,” Caleb muttered.
“We both know that, but thetondoesn’t,” Kendrick said. “Since your engagement has already been announced, it is still acceptable for you to wed Simone during the mourning period.”
Caleb gave him a knowing look. “I would have married Simone whether it was acceptable or not.”
With a chuckle, Kendrick said, “I will admit that you and Miss Delacourt weren’t awful as partners.”
Caleb grinned. “Was that a compliment?”
Kendrick hit the top of the coach and it started to slow down. “That is as close as you get to one,” he said. “Good luck with Miss Delacourt.”
“I don’t need luck.”
Placing his hand on the handle, Kendrick responded, “I knew you two needed one another, which is why I decided to partner you together in the first place.”
“Sir?” he questioned. Had the spymaster truly played the role of matchmaker?
Kendrick opened the door. “Do not read too much into this, Agent,” he said in his usual gruff voice. “You two were terribly distracted, but you eventually figured things out. Just as I knew you would.”
Once the spymaster departed from the coach, it traveled the short distance to Simone’s townhouse. He exited the conveyance and hurried up the steps.
The door was promptly opened and the butler greeted him with a kind smile. “Good morning, Mr. Bolingbroke.”
“Is Miss Delacourt available for callers?” he asked.
The butler nodded. “For you, she is,” he replied. “Please follow me. She is in the drawing room with Lady Hungerton.”
Caleb followed the butler into the drawing room, not bothering to wait to be announced. He saw Simone was sitting next to her mother on the settee, a bright smile on her lips. He thought he would have grown accustomed to her beauty by now, but every time he looked at her, she became more beautiful.
“Simone,” he greeted.
She rose from her seat. “Caleb,” she said. “It is good to see you.”
“I hope I did not come too early,” he responded.
“You could do no such thing.”
Caleb returned her smile as he stared at her a moment longer than what would be considered proper. He reluctantly shifted his gaze to Lady Hungerton to acknowledge her. “My lady,” he greeted with a slight bow.
He was pleased to see that Lady Hungerton’s coloring had returned to her face but she still looked entirely too thin for his liking. Her hair was neatly coiffed, and she was dressed in a fine gown, one worthy of her social standing.
Lady Hungerton tipped her head. “Caleb,” she said. “You are always welcome in our home, at any hour of the day.”
“Thank you,” he responded.
With a knowing smile at her daughter, Lady Hungerton remarked, “I know that Caleb did not come to see me. Why don’t you two take a turn around the gardens?”
“You don’t mind?” Simone asked.
Lady Hungerton waved her hand in front of her. “It is nice to see two such deserving people in love. I want you to enjoy it. I will be fine. You need not worry about me.”
Caleb stepped forward and lowered his voice. “Before I escort Simone to the gardens, I thought you both should know that Lord Hungerton has died.”
Lady Hungerton’s eyes held a profound sadness. “Kendrick told me as much, but I wish it hadn’t come to this.”
“I am just glad that my mother is safe now. My father won’t be able to hurt her ever again,” Simone remarked.
