Regency Spymasters 01 - Spy Fall (17 page)

Would she have been better off with Darling? He certainly appeared to be a doting father to Anna. No doubt he’d have been devoted to Elinor as well, if only she hadn’t insisted on following her heart. His sister’s tragic end was proof enough that nothing good came of giving your heart away.

Pushing thoughts of Ellie aside, he exhaled, dreading what he might find when he searched the lone hiding place he’d deliberately kept from Mari. One even his father wasn’t aware that Cosmo knew of. He stared at the portrait, wondering, absurdly, what his sister had seen out the window. “What do you say, Elinor? Are you hiding it?”

He could delay no longer. If Aldridge had the list, Cosmo would find and destroy it before this mess went any further. Pushing to his feet, he ambled over to the painting. “Excuse me, dearest,” he said, lifting the portrait slightly away from the wall and sliding his hand up the back of it. Lifting the false back, he ran his hand along the inside of the secret compartment, relieved to find nothing out of the ordinary. Then his hand snagged on something. A packet. One that could easily hold a damning document.

Dread coated his lungs and he prayed the packet didn’t contain what he feared it did.

It could be anything, any confidential papers Aldridge wished to keep private. He pulled the packet out. Laying it on the desk, he ran through the papers, seeing they pertained primarily to estate business: markers, tenant agreements. And then he came to one with a list of names.

The air froze in his chest. Running his gaze down the list of French names, he scanned for the one he would recognize. And found it.

Mari Lamarre.

And below, Marcellin Lamarre. Then Maxim Lamarre. His knees wavered; he grabbed the desk’s edge to steady himself. It couldn’t be.

The door scraped open. He looked up with unseeing eyes to find his father stepping in and closing the door behind him. Aldridge’s gaze went to the paper in Cosmo’s hand, then back to his son’s ashen face.

“I see you’ve found the list.”

Aldridge released a labored sigh, the lines in his face deepening. “I do wish you hadn’t gotten involved.”

“Involved.” Cosmo’s mouth could barely form the words. “In treachery.”

“I don’t want you soiled by this unsavory business. You have your entire life ahead of you. Mine is nearly at a close.”

Disbelief pounded through him. “Have you given this information to the French?”

“Not as of yet.” The words were quiet, devoid of emotion. “I’m awaiting instructions.”

“But you plan to deliver the list.”

“Yes. I have no choice.”

“Of course you have a choice. Why do it?”

Aldridge’s steady steel-colored gaze held his. “It is best you stay out of it.”

Nausea percolated in his gut. “I most certainly will not. Tell me the truth now, damn it. I deserve that much.”

“The truth is that I’m not well, Cosmo. I must make things right for Elinor while I still can.”

“Elinor?” Confusion stole his words. “She is dead, Father.”

“Yes, but her son is not.”

“Her son?” A horrible thought struck him. Could dementia be behind Aldridge’s apparent treason? “There is no son. The child died at birth, along with his mother, our Elinor. As you well know.”

“That’s what we were told.” Although Aldridge spoke nonsense, his grave, calm demeanor suggested he had his wits about him. “None of us was there to witness it.”

“Darling was there,” Cosmo said, incredulous. “Surely you believe him.”

“He arrived after Elinor died.”

“He must have seen to the burial.”

“But did he bury the child?”

Cosmo paused. “I never thought to ask.”

Aldridge moved to his chess table and eased himself into his usual chair. “The message came several weeks ago in London,” he said. “If I give them the names in that document, they give me my daughter’s child.”

“Who delivered this message?”

“Some street urchin.”

“Did you receive it at Aldridge House?”

“Yes, although I was not at home when it came. The missive was waiting for me when I arrived much later in the evening.”

Cosmo shook his head. “You cannot possibly believe this.”

“They gave me Elinor’s ring as proof.” Aldridge looked beyond Cosmo to the portrait. “The blue sapphire she wore in the painting. Your mother’s ring.”

“They could have stolen it after Elinor died.” Cosmo swallowed against the painful pressure in his chest. Ellie’s child couldn’t possibly be alive. “How can you believe this folly?”

“They were watching Elinor all along, the French government, because she was my daughter. They placed an agent in the house who acted as a servant. This woman was present when Elinor gave birth, and delivered the child to her superiors.”

A horrible possibility struck Cosmo. “Have you been working with the French all along? For years?”

“What?” Aldridge frowned. “No, as I said, they contacted me only a few weeks ago.”

Will had referred to a high-level informant who’d been passing information to the French for at least four or five years. “And that is the first interaction you’ve had with them?”

“Yes, of course. What are you getting at?”

“Nothing.” Cosmo forced his leaden legs to move. “Do you want a drink? God knows I need one.” At Aldridge’s nod, he poured for both of them. “Even if Elinor’s child did live, why ever would they keep him this long? It’s been years.”

“They waited until they needed something from me,” Aldridge said, taking his brandy from Cosmo.

“Something that only someone highly placed in His Majesty’s government could deliver.” Cosmo took a fortifying drink, but it only made him queasier. “They could be lying. It’s likely a ruse.”

“I’ve made clear I won’t make the exchange until I see the child and am convinced it is Elinor’s.”

Cosmo dragged a hand over his face. Could it be? “How will you ever know if the boy is Ellie’s?”

“I can only hope I know my own grandson.” His voice dropped to almost a whisper. “How can I not try?”

Pain lacerated Cosmo’s insides at the thought of Elinor’s child in the hands of the French, with strangers who didn’t have a care for him, except as an instrument of extortion. “But what if it isn’t Elinor’s child?”

Aldridge’s tortured gaze held his son’s. “What if it is?”

The marquess peered out the window as the carriage pulled to a stop in front of Kenwood. “Are you certain this is a good idea?”

“Most definitely.” Cosmo alighted, then turned to help his father down. “Darling is in the best position to know what happened to Elinor’s child. He expects us for luncheon.”

He glanced up at the fifteenth-century manor house with sweeping mullioned windows and distinctive rooftop turrets, where his sister might have been mistress. The original wing was built in the shape of an
L
, in the Elizabethan style. Ellie had always viewed the archaic structure with distaste, its dark brick and freestone façade far too somber for her sunny nature.

If she’d married Darling, she might still live. Sorrow lanced through him. The grief of losing his sister was fresh again since Aldridge’s revelation that her child could still be alive. At the same time, his heart rejoiced at the thought of a living part of Elinor inhabiting the earth. For a moment, he allowed himself to pretend his sister resided at Kenwood and that they’d come to visit her and the boy. He imagined his sister greeting them with that ever-present smile lurking at the corners of her mouth. But of course it was not Elinor who greeted them when the massive door pulled open. Fellowes, the ancient butler who’d presided over Kenwood throughout Cosmo’s boyhood, welcomed the men with apparent pleasure before directing them to the parlor, which overlooked Kenwood’s impressive gardens.

“His lordship asked me to convey his apologies for his delay,” Fellowes said. “He’s looking in on one of the tenants, who broke his leg in a cart accident this morning. He should join you presently.”

That Saint Tristan had rushed off to look after the welfare of a tenant came as no surprise to Cosmo. But young Anna was proof that Darling wasn’t above normal human frailty. Knowing he could fall prey to the same desires as any normal man made Cosmo like him the better.

The cooing sounds of hundreds of pigeons rustling in the garden dovecote reached them. Cosmo suppressed a grimace. From the time he’d played here as a child, he’d hated the dovecote. Something about all those birds in one place made him shiver, but Elinor had been entranced by it. She and Darling had made countless games of chasing the pigeons.

Going to the window, he looked out at the round stone building with its conical top. A wood-framed door allowed access to the ground level of the dovecote. Given the racket the pigeons made, as well as the prevalence of bird droppings, Cosmo had never understood why anyone would want to enter, unless they were looking for supper.

Something blue darted around the structure, attracting his attention. A laughing Anna chased the pigeons. They launched off the ground with a start, seeking refuge high up in the square cupola at the apex of the dovecote, far away from mischievous little girls.

With a smile, Cosmo turned to Aldridge and excused himself before pulling open the glass door that led to the garden. “Miss Anna,” he called, walking toward her, “are you frightening these innocent birds?”

Her lively hazel eyes rounded with indignation. “Most certainly not. We are playing a chasing game.” Belatedly seeming to remember her manners, she dipped a curtsey. “Hullo, Uncle Cosmo. Have you come for your sea fossils?”

He rubbed his chin as if considering the idea. “I think I shall allow you to keep them. If you promise to take great care with the shells.”

She bounced on her toes. “I shall, I promise. Have you come to visit Uncle Tristan?”

“Yes, but he is away at present. Aldridge is within, though. Would you like to greet him?”

An expectant expression lit her face. “Do you think he’s brought me a special treat?”

He chuckled. Anna was growing used to being spoiled by Aldridge. “Why don’t we go and see?”

They walked back to the manor house. Skipping alongside him, Anna slipped her small, warm hand into his. Cosmo’s fingers instantly tightened around hers, a pang slicing into his chest. Perhaps one day soon, he would bring Elinor’s son to Kenwood to play with Darling’s enchanting daughter. The boy would be about a year younger than Anna. Nostalgia pressed on his lungs at the idea of history repeating itself, this next generation of children playing together as their parents had.

Darling appeared as they reached the terrace. “Cosmo.”

“Darling,” he said. “Anna was out chasing the birds in the dovecote. Do you remember how you and Elinor used to do that?”

Darling’s expression softened. “Yes, of course I remember.”

It struck Cosmo that perhaps Darling still mourned Elinor. He had yet to marry, even after all these years. With his good looks, manners, and title, Darling would be a prime catch on the marriage mart. Maybe he hadn’t married because of his devotion to Anna. Few wives would welcome their husband’s bye blow into the family home.

Anna peered up at Cosmo with a scrunched-up face. “Who is Elinor?”

“My sister,” he answered.

“Why haven’t you brought her to meet me?”

“Anna.” Darling’s tone held a warning in it.

Cosmo held up a staying hand. “It’s all right, Darling.” He bent to look Anna in the eye. “My sister lives in heaven with your mother and mine.”

“Oh.” Sadness dimmed the light in the girl’s eyes. “A great many people seem to live in heaven.”

Pain stretched in his chest. “Only the very best ones.”

“Was your sister so very good?”

“She was indeed,” Darling said. “The finest.”

Surprised, Cosmo looked up to catch a fleeting expression of torment on Darling’s face before it vanished behind that implacable façade. He pushed to his feet, experiencing a kindred feeling of shared grief with the man. Darling wasn’t over Elinor, after all, not by a long shot.

“Sweet girl,” Darling said to Anna, “Nurse has your luncheon ready.”

A pout formed on her little lips. Cosmo bit back a smile. Charming as she was, Anna wasn’t above a child’s tantrum. “Why must I go? I want to visit with Uncle Cosmo and Uncle Lord Aldridge.”

“If you are a very good girl and eat your food as Nurse instructs,” Darling said in a firm voice, “then I shall invite you to join us for dessert on the terrace.”

“Very well.” Appearing only slightly mollified, Anna dipped a petulant curtsey before trudging into the house.

“You are very good with her,” Cosmo said, smiling after her. “I suspect you will have your hands full once she outgrows the nursery.”

Darling followed his gaze. “Yes, Anna has a mind of her own.” Warmth filled his voice. “She’s like her mother that way.”

Cosmo’s interest pricked. “You cared for her mother.”

“Yes, I did. Very much.”

“When did she die?”

“When Anna was three. A carriage accident. Unfortunately, the child doesn’t remember her.” He turned toward the house. “Let’s rejoin Aldridge, shall we?”

As soon as they went inside, Fellows informed them that luncheon was ready, and led them into the dining room. Once the first course was served, Darling signaled for the footmen to leave them alone.

“Now, as pleased as I am by your visit,” he said to Aldridge, “Cosmo’s note indicated you have something of importance to discuss.”

Scratching behind his ear, Aldridge cleared his throat. “It is about Elinor’s child.”

“What about him?”

“We are most anxious to know what became of the child,” Cosmo said.

“You understand, of course, the boy did not survive his birth.” Darling’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “It was not a full-term pregnancy.”

He hadn’t known that. “Do you mean to say the child was not fully formed?”

“The nurse who attended Elinor said that the child was born at least two months too early.” The words were measured, hesitant. “It hadn’t had sufficient time in the womb.”

Aldridge’s attention was riveted on Darling. “Did you ever see the boy?”

“The body?” Darling said softly. “I did not. By the time I arrived, both bodies had already been removed.”

Cosmo’s throat ached. “So, it is possible the boy lived.”

Darling darted a concerned look between the two men. “Elinor’s maid told me the boy had been laid to rest next to his mother.”

Aldridge released a heavy exhale. “I suppose we could unearth the remains to see if it is so.”

Anguish-laced fury ripped through Cosmo. He shot to his feet, jarring the table, causing the porcelain china and crystal goblets to rattle in protest. “Devil take it. If they have him, I will find them. I vow I will pummel whoever is responsible for this.”

Darling placed his hands flat, palms down, on the table. “Of what do you speak, Cosmo? I’m quite lost.”

Aldridge’s eyes moistened. “We’ve received information that Elinor’s son lives.”

Darling stared back at him, shock stamped his face. “How is that possible?”

“We must find Elinor’s maid. She could be the key to this,” Cosmo said. “Darling, do you know what became of her?”

“I’m afraid I do not.” He shook his head. “I don’t even recall her name.”

“I will find her.” Cosmo punctuated the vow by slamming his fist against the wall. “If it is the last thing I do, I’ll locate her, and strangle the truth from her if I have to.”

Cosmo sank down into the tub, the heated bath a welcome relief to his tired muscles. Cupping the water in his hands, he brought it to his face, rubbing away the grime from his long ride. The trip to Town had not been a productive one.

The door to his chamber pushed open. To his surprise, it was Aldridge.

“Well?” his father asked without preamble, stepping inside and closing the door quietly behind him.

Cosmo frowned. “Why are you up? It is late. You should be abed.”

“You’ve returned sooner than I’d anticipated.”

“I rode through the night.” He lathered soap into his wet hair. “I only stopped to change horses.”

Aldridge’s displeasure showed. “You’ve pushed yourself too hard since learning of the boy.”

He waved his father’s concerns away with an impatient gesture. “Has anyone contacted you again?”