They descended with more caution than Damian would have liked. Finally, they found themselves out in the graveyard, dragging in lungfuls of fresh air. Damian cursed as the dawn arrived with a showy display in the east. They had no choice but to make their escape in daylight.
“We are to ride that nag?” Crow viewed the horse with dismay.
“The best I could do. Don’t insult Lucifer. He’s all we have.”
“And glad of him,” Crow hastily amended, giving the horse’s neck a pat.
It was a painfully slow journey back along the road. Lucifer, with a belly full of grass, plodded along, unfazed by the men’s urging. Damian kept glancing behind him, expecting to see the guards riding toward them, but so far, they’d been lucky. Men would soon be sent out to scour the roads after searching the abbey.
Pole, as good as his word, waited with the trap by the willows. “I wouldn’t have believed it, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes,” he said. “I’d like to hear how you managed it.”
“Happy to oblige once we’re away.” Damian gave Crow a leg up onto the trap. They still had miles to go. It would be a nerve-wracking journey until they reached the safety of the Channel waters.
*
Pole and hiscompanions melted away like smoke, minutes before de Marmont’s men rode onto the beach, rifles poised.They pointlessly fired over the water as the fishing boat carrying Halcrow and Damian set sail for England.
On deck, Halcrow leaned back against a basket of nets. “I can’t believe I’m on my way home. Never thought I’d see it again.”
Damian perched on an upturned drum. Seagulls filled the sky, calling in the hope of a fish feed, then swooping down to the dark-gray, choppy water. He shaded his eyes. “I can see the outline of the English coast. Won’t be long now.”
“I am in your debt, Ballantine,” Halcrow said, dispensing with their aliases. “Have I told you how appreciative I am?”
“You have, several times. And I have told you, several times, it is unnecessary. It goes with the job.”
“The job, yes.” Halcrow looked thoughtful as he pushed his blond hair out of his eyes. He was in much better shape than Damian had feared. “Which I don’t wish to be a part of anymore.”
“You will feel like that for a while,” Damian said. “But it will draw you in again.”
“No. I’m finished. My beautiful bride, whom I haven’t yet bedded, waits for me.”
“I’m sure you’ll make up for lost time.” Damian laughed, but it surprised him. A married spy? He rarely came across it.
“My estate needs me,” Halcrow said. “I intend to spend my days there with my wife, fill my nursery, and raise sheep. But first I must see what Scovell has in mind for me.”
“I wish you well with that.” Damian watched as they approached the coast of east Kent. They’d dock before nightfall. Halcrow had made him evaluate what he wanted for himself. When he reached Longview Hall two days hence, he’d make plans. For the first time since he’d begun his mission, he allowed himself to think about Diana. Her lovely face swept into his mind’s eye. How passionate and curious a lover she would be.He wanted her for himself, but it may not be possible. With her father eager to have her married, there could already be another man in her life. He frowned, not wanting to travel down that road. But despite his reluctance, he had to face the truth. He loved her. A feeling strange to him. Glorious, but fraught with possible heartbreak. He’d never been in love before. While he’d cared for past lovers, this urge to be with one woman night and day was new to him. He’d never felt the urge to stake his claim on any woman as he did now. His and Diana’s experience in the carriage had left him shaken. He’d wanted so much more, and so had she. Had he let her slip through his fingers? He’d been a fool. But that was with the benefit of hindsight. He might have died back there in France. The wind caught his soft moan and carried it away. But Halcrow stared at him, noting his expression.
“There’s a lady in your life too, my friend. If you care for her, don’t lose her. Not to this business. Wellesley will win this war, no matter what we choose to do.”
*
Halcrow’s words lingeredwhen Damian, weary to his bones, entered his house two days later and handed his hat, coat, and gloves to the butler. “Pay the jarvie, will you, Barron?”
“Good to have you home, my lord.”
Max scampered into the hall with a woof of welcome, his feathery tail wagging madly. Damian rubbed the dog’s silky ears and permitted a lick on his face before he edged the dog away. “Good to see you, fellow.”
Luke hurried in. “Thank heaven.” He shrugged sheepishly. “I must admit to feeling great relief to see you in one piece.”
Damian accepted it was worse for Luke, who had to wait for news, than it was for him amid the action. They walked to thelibrary, where he intended to enjoy a glass of their best claret before going up to bathe and change. “Any news?” he asked once he’d folded himself into his chair and taken up the glass of wine.
Luke’s eyes looked bright and purposeful. Something Damian had not seen in a long time. “Rather a lot.”
“Don’t keep me guessing.”
“It concerns a lady,” Luke said, looking abashed. “I think you’ll approve of Miss Emily Brentwood. She is quite charming.”
Damian chuckled and leaned back against the highbacked wingchair, putting his feet on the ottoman. “I imagine she is.”