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“What is it?” Miss Wells breathed, her green eyes alive with curiosity as a red curl tumbled down from her coiffure and brushed gently against her temples. Edward swallowed hard at the sight of her, forcing himself not to become caught up in just how mesmerizing she was and fixing his attention solely on the paper.
It was small and rolled up very tightly and, with gentle fingers, Edward began to unravel it. Miss Wells reached forward and held down one side whilst he continued to stretch it out, his eyes reading the words written on it as he did so.
“They are names,” Miss Wells exclaimed, reading upside-down. “Although they mean nothing to me.” She looked up at him, hopeful. “Do you know them?”
Edward frowned, looking at the four names written and reading them carefully. He was about to state that, no, he did not know a single one, only for the last name to catch at his mind.
His breath caught. His thoughts began to tumble freely through his mind as he stared at the piece of parchment, going cold all over as he realized what it was he was looking at.
“Yes, Miss Wells,” he breathed, taking the paper and beginning to roll it up again. “I know one of the names written here, and I confess to you that there is now a great deal of urgency in what I must do.”
“Oh?” She was searching his face, her eyes wide as she leaned forward. “What is it, Lord Carroway?”
The eagerness in her expression could not be ignored. “There is a belief that Ravel is seeking to disrupt the royal family in some way,” he said, hearing her startled gasp. “There has been, as you know, some difficulties already with the illness of the king and thereafter, the prince regent, but to cause more trouble and even mayhap attempt to overthrow the monarchy would bring nothing but chaos and disruption.”
“And the army would have to give a good many of its men back to England,” Miss Wells murmured, surprising Edward with the sharpness of her mind. “Therefore, weakening their defenses against the French.”
He nodded, finding himself filled with admiration for this woman. “Precisely,” he stated, putting the paper back in the vial. “But on this paper are written four names, and I believe that they are the ones who work for the royal family in some way.” Watching Miss Wells carefully, he saw the understanding begin to creep into her expression. “I know the last one. He is a footman in the palace.” He shook his head, taking in a long breath. “We had thought him a useful source of information, but it seems that the French have also discovered this. It would not be the first time that a man has had his loyalty changed by either the promise of wealth or the threat of death.”
“Goodness,” Miss Wells murmured, her hands clasping together tightly. “So you must discover whether or not they are being used by the French?”
“Indeed,” he stated, not forgetting that Miss Wells was still in danger. “I shall share this with the lieutenant, and he shall set men to the task at once. I must remain near you, Miss Wells, in order to ensure your protection. I must also continue to seek out Ravel.”
Miss Wells nodded slowly, her expression set firm. “Ravel is the one behind this plan to attack our royal family,” she said, as if seeking confirmation from him that she was correct in this statement.
“And there have been many times I have thought myself very close to catching him, only to discover him gone and a button left in his place,” Edward said bitterly. Seeing her quizzical look, he shook his head and let out a long, exasperated sigh. “A large brown button that, when it is turned over, has the initial ‘R’ carved into it. It is as though he wishes me to feel ridicule and mockery over my lack of success, but the truth is, Miss Wells, that I have simply become all the more determined to capture him.”
“I can understand the urgency with which you must do so,” Miss Wells replied quietly. “And you believe he is within society?”
“He could be anyone,” Edward admitted. “But the urgency that you speak of grows stronger with each passing day – although now that I have this paper in my possession, we have the opportunity to prevent the attack on the royal family. They were seeking this, I believe, so that they would know which men to approach. Without it, they are held back from their task.”
“That is a relief,” Miss Wells admitted, quickly glancing over her shoulder at her sister, who was still asleep. “But what did you mean when you stated that I must be protected?” Her expression did not change from curiosity to fear, as he had expected, and yet again, Edward found himself filling with admiration for her strength.
“The truth is, Miss Wells, that as I cannot be certain as to who Ravel might be and who also might be working alongside him, I fear that it would not be wise for you to continue as you are.” He drew in a long breath, seeing her watching him still and finding himself suddenly nervous. “You cannot continue to be introduced, conversed with, and courted by gentlemen that you do not know, for fear that you might be putting yourself in danger.”
Miss Wel
ls tipped her head gently, watching him closely. “Then you are suggesting that I give up society altogether?”
“Not at all, Miss Wells,” he said hurriedly, aware of the knot that was forming in his stomach. “I propose that you accept my courtship and allow it to be made known throughout society.” The words began to tumble out of him as he attempted to explain. “We can, of course, bring such a thing to an end once Ravel has been caught and his plans completely foiled, but for the time being, I believe that—”
“I would be glad of your courtship, Lord Carroway.”
Her voice was so quiet and his astonishment so great that, for some moments, Edward did know what to say or how to respond. He stared at Miss Wells, the blood roaring in his ears as she smiled at him.
And then, Miss Merry Wells shifted in her seat, her eyes fluttering as she coughed, and the moment became urgent.
“Thank you, Miss Wells,” Edward stammered, not quite certain what else he should say. “I thank you for your understanding and your patience.”
To his surprise, Miss Wells laughed, her eyes dancing. “You speak as though it is of some great torment to me, Lord Carroway,” she said, teasing him. “But I confess that I do not consider it so.” Her smile lingered, her expression softening, and Edward felt heat rush through him. “Oh, if we are to be courting, might you accompany me to the bookshop tomorrow afternoon?” A faint blush rose in her cheeks as he stammered his acceptance. “It is only that I attempted to push away Lord Huckleby’s request to walk with me tomorrow by pretending that I was already engaged for a short walk to the bookshop with you.”
Edward felt warmth flood his heart, and he rose to his feet, feeling both content and satisfied with how the evening had gone. “I should be glad to, Miss Wells,” he stated, as she got to her feet and offered him her hand. Taking it in his, he allowed the sparks to shoot up his arm and into his heart, accepting his feelings calmly and without forcing himself to push them away. Bowing over her hand, he reluctantly let it go and made to take his leave. “Until tomorrow then, Miss Wells. I look forward to spending some more time in your company.”
She smiled at him, her eyes seeming to glow with the same pleasure he felt. “As do I, Lord Carroway,” she promised, sending him on his way with a sudden surge of joy in his heart that captured him tightly and refused to let him go.
Chapter Twelve
“Mama, you must talk to her!”
