With defiance in his tone, Lord Drycott asked, “Is it? We both know that I can claim privilege of the peerage, and this will all go away.”
Kendrick stepped into the room. “That is assuming there is a trial,” he said. “And in your case, I doubt there will be one.”
“Who are you?” Lord Drycott asked.
“Someone that you will wish you never met,” Kendrick replied. “We shall take it from here.”
Two guards swiftly entered the room with their pistols drawn and proceeded to secure Lord Drycott and his henchman. With the immediate threat neutralized, Fredrick returned his pistol to the waistband of his trousers as Kendrick made his way towards them.
“We had guards stationed at this townhouse, watching Lord Drycott and waiting for him to make his next move. I had come to speak to them when we saw Roswell positioned outside the townhouse, and he explained you were searching the study,” the spymaster explained. “Did you discover anything of importance?”
Miss Delacourt spoke up. “We found a list of buyers for the smuggled goods.”
“That is a start,” Kendrick said. “Based on Lord Drycott’s own words, he doesn’t know the French spies’ intentions for being here. Let’s bring them in and ask them ourselves.”
“Yes, sir,” Miss Delacourt responded.
Kendrick tipped his head. “Report back when the spies have been apprehended,” he ordered. “Now, if you will excuse me, I will need to deal with the servants that are milling around.”
As Kendrick walked away, Fredrick turned towards Miss Delacourt and asked a question that had been weighing on his mind, “Why did you step in front of me?”
“I couldn’t just let you get shot,” she replied without hesitation.
Fredrick appreciated her bravery but insisted, “That was very noble of you, but don’t ever do that again. I fight my own battles, and I have no desire to see another get hurt because of me.”
Miss Delacourt, her chin slightly tilted, said, “A simple ‘thank you’ would suffice.”
Fredrick felt some of the tension drain out of him now that the fight was over and he felt appreciation for what Miss Delacourt had done for him. “You are right. Thank you.”
Roswell joined them, suggesting, “Shall we depart?”
“I think that is wise,” Fredrick agreed. “Thank you for trailing behind us.”
“It was a good thing I did, or else things could have ended very differently for you both,” Roswell expressed.
Miss Delacourt smiled. “We had it handled, didn’t we, my lord?” she asked with mirth in her voice. “It is time I depart and return home.”
“Would you care for us to escort you home—” Roswell started.
“No, thank you,” Miss Delacourt said, speaking over him. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
They watched as she climbed through the window and disappeared into the gardens.
With a shake of his head, Fredrick wasn’t quite sure what to make of Miss Delacourt, but her act of bravery had touched him deeply. She had risked her own life to save his. Her actions were nothing short of courageous.
“Let’s go home,” Roswell encouraged.
Chapter Seventeen
Emilia could barely contain her excitement as she lay in bed. Today was to be her ball. She had never experienced a ball before, and the unknown filled her with a sense of wonder. But there was one thing she did know, and it caused her heart to race: the prospect of dancing the waltz with Fredrick. The memory of their previous waltz was never far from her mind, and she couldn’t wait to be in his arms again.
She may hold Fredrick in high regard, but the feelings were unrequited. Not that she faulted him for that. He was an earl, and she was just a country bumpkin who happened to inherit a fortune. No, he deserved much more than her, no matter that she was already halfway in love with him.
Regardless, tonight would be magical; she was sure of that.
A knock came at the door before Lily entered the room. “Good morning,” she greeted. “Your ballgown has just arrived from the dressmaker.”
Emilia moved to sit up in bed. “That is wonderful news.”