Page 87 of The Smuggler’s Escape

Lady Boltwood smiled benignly. Lady Darsington didn’t smile, but neither did she say anything cutting. Perhaps she was becoming resigned to Richard’s marrying Noelle.

No—something smug in the woman’s expression kept Noelle on her guard. She retreated to her bedchamber and sewed her jewelry into the hems of her cloak and the old gown she used when smuggling.

Evening came and guests arrived to dine: Aunt Lucretia and Uncle Matthew, Lord Harry, who brought Mr. Tunbridge’s regrets, Lady Ariadne Luttrow, and the vicar. Lady Boltwood set dinner back an hour, and still Richard did not return. Noelle progressed from fretting to downright worry.

“How odd of Lord Boltwood to absent himself from a celebration of his betrothal,” Lady Darsington said, when Lady Boltwood’s butler finally announced the meal. “Whatever do you suppose can be wrong?”

“He must have been unavoidably detained.” Lord Harry sat to one side of Dorothea, Daniel Davison to the other.

“No doubt about that,” Daniel said with a grin. “He’s head over ears for Mademoiselle de Vallon. Speaking of being detained, word in the village has it that Lieutenant Hale was called away to Portsmouth this morning.”

“I hope they keep him there,” Noelle said.

“I, too,” Daniel said. “I don’t hold with smuggling, but too many people have been injured with Hale in charge.”

“He’s a rough, impertinent man, and his attitude has infected his underlings,” Lady Ariadne said. “Only yesterday they demanded most insolently to search our stables.”

“Perhaps things will return to normal now, my lady,” Daniel said.

“I think not,” Lady Darsington pronounced. “He couldn’t have been removed at a worse moment. I don’t know what the powers that be can be thinking.”

All heads turned, even that of the footman serving filet of sole.

“This is purely in confidence, of course,” Lady Darsington said in a conspiratorial voice. “Imagine what I overheard only a day or two ago. The government is about to pounce on a network of French spies in Sussex!”

“Heavens!” Lady Ariadne cried. “How—How thrilling!”

Lady Darsington glanced around the room as if a spy might be lurking under a chair. “They have been identified in several locations on the south coast. We need as many men as possible, in order to scoop them up all at once.”

“Mother, surely this information should be kept confidential,” Dorothea said.

“Yes, yes, but we’re among friends here.” She paused theatrically. “Not only that, there is a spy amongst the smugglers right here in the village.”

Lady Ariadne dropped her fork into the turnip fricassee. “Oh, no!” She pressed her hands to deathly pale cheeks. “A spy amongst us! Sir William will be frightfully upset.”

“He must be stopped at once!” Uncle Matthew said.

“It won’t be the first time smuggling routes have been used for purposes of espionage,” Daniel Davison said.

Lord Harry grinned. “What fun to catch a spy!”

“Oh, dear!” Lady Ariadne cried suddenly. “I forgot to bring a pattern for a reticule, which I had promised you, dear Lady Boltwood.” Her voice trembled. “I must send for it at once.”

After an incredulous pause, Lady Boltwood said, “There’s no need, Lady Ariadne. Some other day will do fine.”

“Oh, but I must—” Lady Ariadne made a movement as if to stand, but Lady Darsington interrupted, and she subsided into her chair.

“We can be certain the spy will be caught,” Lady Darsington said, her smirk growing. “They’ve already sent someone to hunt him—or her—down.”

Dorothea pressed her palms to the table as if to rise. “Mother, truly, you mustn’t disclose such privileged information. Papa will be most upset.”

“Oh, but we’re all loyal English—” Lady Darsington paused again. A hush fell over the table. Lucretia broke it with a shocked cry. Lady Boltwood’s eyes flashed fire.

Lady Darsington put a hand over her mouth. Not to conceal shock or distress, though. She couldn’t have hidden the smirk if she had tried. “You’re quite right, Dorothea. I should have been more aware of who was in the room.”

“So you should.” A smooth voice came from the doorway, and Richard strolled in.

Oh, thank God, thank God. Noelle wanted to leap into his arms. She managed to keep her seat, but she couldn’t take her eyes off him, couldn’t restrain her smile. He bowed before her and pressed an ardent kiss on her hand. “My deepest apologies, sweet one. I was unavoidably detained.”