Surrender (29 page)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“H
AVE
NO
FEAR
,” Trevelyan said. “You will not be turned away.”

Evelyn smiled grimly at him. They had just arrived at Bedford House, but had yet to get out from their carriage. She had gone to Trevelyan as Jack had directed her to do, and when she had showed up on his doorstep, at once brokenhearted and afraid, he had taken one look at her white face and red eyes and demanded to know what had happened. She had told him most of the truth—she had told him what pertained to their flight from the Bodmin Moor now. Trevelyan knew that Captain Barrow had come to Roselynd to arrest Jack, and that he had almost questioned Aimee, frightening her terribly in the process.

And once he had been apprised of the situation, Trevelyan had insisted on escorting her, Aimee and her staff to London. As it turned out, he knew Julianne almost as well as he knew Jack; he had known her since she was a small child. He was, he had explained, a rather frequent visitor at Bedford House now, and in the past few years he had become good friends with Dominic Paget.

Of course he had—they were all spies and ex-spies, they were all in that same secret circle playing terrible war games. They were all the spymaster’s men.

He had been terribly kind from the moment she had appeared at Blackmoor, and throughout the entire three-day trip to town. But what she had refused to do was discuss her personal relationship with Jack. While he had never asked why she was so aggrieved, she knew he realized something was terribly wrong. He surely guessed that the affair was finally over.

Evelyn allowed Trev to help her out of the carriage, meeting his gaze. “We are being so bold, inviting ourselves to stay with Lady Paget,” she said. She was anxious. She hated being so forward. She disliked being an imposition. And what if Julianne turned her away?

“She will welcome you with open arms when you explain to her and Dom what you have explained to me.” He now smiled, reaching for Aimee and taking her down from the coach with a grand flourish. Aimee laughed as he swung her about before setting her down. Her daughter had become very fond of Trevelyan.

“Look, darling, have you ever seen such a grand home?” Evelyn cried, smiling and taking her daughter’s hand.

Aimee’s eyes widened. “Oh, Mama, is this a palace? Will we really stay here?”

With its imposing facade, its magnificent grounds and the stunning water fountain in the center of the drive, Bedford House most definitely resembled a royal palace, not an earl’s city home. She squeezed Aimee’s hand. “Mr. Greystone seems to think so, and we will soon find out.”

Laurent, Adelaide and Bette were now alighting with a happy Jolie. They had come in one hired coach, changing horses every half day, so in the end, they had left everything behind, except for their clothing. Trev took her arm in his and they approached the house, going up pale, wide stone steps. A pair of liveried doormen stood there, as still as statues, until one came to life and opened the door instantly for them.

Trev handed the fellow his card. “I must see Bedford, or Lady Paget. Are either the earl or the countess in?”

The doorman blinked at him, perfectly coiffed in a white wig, his livery royal-blue and gold. “They are both in, my lord,” he said, bowing.

Evelyn knew the request was an informal one, but considering his relationship with Julianne and her husband, she suspected they did not stand on formality often. Footsteps sounded and the butler, Gerard, appeared. “Good day, my lord, my lady,” he said, smiling.

“Gerard, my good man, please rouse Bedford. We have had a difficult trip and the countess is exhausted, as is her daughter.”

Evelyn was grateful. Trev had been taking care of them for days, which allowed her to worry about her relationship with Jack and his escape from Roselynd. The heartbreak rose up again, its force threatening to consume her. As if he knew, Trev caught her elbow and steadied her.

It was Julianne who appeared first, before Gerard had even left the front hall. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of them. “Trevelyan!” She smiled, but her eyes remained wide, and they were on Evelyn now, a huge question there. She went to Trev and gave him her hands; he kissed both at once. “We are imposing, Julianne. The countess is in need of your hospitality.”

She stared at him for a moment, as if trying to discern what was happening by gazing into his eyes, and then she turned to Evelyn and hugged her warmly. Relief began. Julianne was happy to see her!

“Darling, I am so glad to see you, and of course you are welcome here—at any time.” But her gaze was searching. She then turned to Aimee. “You must be Aimee! Hello! I am Lady Paget, and I have heard so much about you!”

Aimee smiled shyly. “Good day, my lady,” she whispered.

“I have a daughter, too, but she is much younger than you. However, she loves older children. She is playing in the nursery. Would you like to meet her?” Julianne smiled.

Aimee glanced at Evelyn, who nodded. “I think you should meet Jacquelyn. Bette can take you up.”

“What about Jolie?” Aimee asked.

Evelyn turned to Julianne. “Aimee has a dog.”

“How wonderful—we love dogs. I have three! Why doesn’t Jolie take a walk in the back gardens, and then she can go up to the nursery, too.”

As Bette took Aimee’s hand, Dominic Paget, the Earl of Bedford, strode into the hall.

He was a tall, muscular, handsome man with dark hair and an unmistakable air of power and authority. He was elegantly dressed in a sapphire-blue satin coat, a lace shirt, pale breeches and stockings. He did not wear a wig, and his unpowdered hair was pulled back into a queue. Rings glinted from his hands.

He was smiling, but his eyes were hard. He exchanged a quick look with Trevelyan, before greeting everyone. “I am pleased to see you again, Countess,” he said.

“Thank you, my lord,” she returned nervously.

“Why don’t we adjourn to the salon?” Julianne said. “Gerard? I imagine our visitors would like some refreshments sent up to their rooms.” She turned to Trev. “You will stay for the night?”

“I will stay until Evelyn is safely settled,” he returned, directing his gaze to her.

Evelyn smiled gratefully. She truly could not have a more loyal friend—or a better champion.

Then she thought of Jack and it simply hurt so much. How could it be over? And where was he now? Had he made it safely back to his ship? She hadn’t heard and she was so worried!

Julianne had turned and was looking at Evelyn, and Evelyn suspected she was wondering about her relationship with Trev. Then she gestured everyone inside, and closed both doors behind them.

“I cannot thank you enough for taking me and my daughter in,” Evelyn began, looking at Bedford.

Julianne went to stand beside him, no longer smiling. Dom said, “What has happened?”

Trevelyan stood beside her, but Evelyn did not look at him. Aimee wasn’t present so her fear and grief surfaced, causing her to speak thickly. “Jack was beaten by his enemies. I was taking care of him at Roselynd,” she said.

Julianne cried out. “Is he all right?”

“I don’t know,” Evelyn said. “He survived the beating, with bruised or even broken ribs, and a gash on his head, so he was on his way to recovering fully. But Captain Barrow learned he was at Roselynd. Four days ago, Barrow surprised us. Jack hid in the tunnels below the house while Barrow and his men searched everywhere for him. They did not find him, and Jack returned later that night, telling me he planned to evade the guards Barrow left behind and get to his ship. He instructed me to come here, my lord, my lady.” She trembled. “I have not heard a word from him, so I do not know if he escaped the soldiers, if he made it to his ship or where he now is.”

Evelyn was so distraught that she had to sit down. Julianne came to sit beside her, putting her arm around her.

“We will hear from Jack, sooner or later,” Dominic said. “And if he had been caught and apprehended, I would have heard such news by now.”

“I am very worried,” Evelyn managed. “He was hardly in full health when he left.”

“Jack is clever,” Julianne said. “He has been outwitting the British authorities for most of his life. Once he reaches his ship, he will be able to escape all pursuit.” She took Evelyn’s hand and held it. But her gaze was searching. Evelyn had to avoid it.

“Lady D’Orsay,” Dominic said. “Why did Jack insist that you come here? Once he had left Roselynd, what made your home unsafe?”

She inhaled. “I overheard Jack speaking with a Frenchman, discussing a British military plan.”

Julianne stared, and so did her husband. Both were stone-faced. If surprised, they did not show it. Obviously they knew Jack ran the British blockade, but did they also know that he was spying for the French?

Trevelyan explained, “She has heard information that she should not have heard. And the French republicans know it.”

Dominic said, “But why would Jack think you in danger—so much so that he has sent you here, to us? Have you been threatened? Were you discovered?”

She so did not want to tell them the entire truth! But Julianne squeezed her hand. “It is all right. Dominic was once a spy. He can help you, Evelyn.”

She brushed a seeping tear. “Jack was giving away our plans to invade France and aid the rebels there. Yes, I was discovered. And I was also threatened—in my own home.”

Julianne stared grimly at Dominic.

Evelyn was taken aback. Didn’t they care that Jack was a French spy? For, if they had not realized it before, they certainly did now!

“Who threatened you? Whom was Jack speaking to?” Dominic asked.

“Jack’s French ally is Victor LaSalle, the Viscount LeClerc. Unbelievably, he was once a friend and neighbor of ours, of Henri’s and mine, in Paris. And he not only saw me, he recognized me, too. Two weeks ago he sent someone to threaten me—and my daughter—at Roselynd.” She tried to breathe slowly, her heart lurching.

Julianne paled.

“You were told to keep silent?” Dominic asked.

Evelyn whispered, “I was told that if LeClerc were betrayed, I would pay—and so would Aimee.”

Julianne held her tightly. “You are safe here.”

“I am so worried,” Evelyn whispered. But why hadn’t anyone reacted to what she had said—and to the fact that Jack had been betraying Britain to her enemies? It seemed that no one was surprised.

Yet everyone in the salon was a patriot. Indifference was impossible.

“You will be safe here,” Dominic said firmly. “I do not want you to worry, Lady D’Orsay, and you are welcome to stay as our guest, until the danger passes. Trev, will you join me for a drink? I have a fine scotch whiskey in my library, and we can give the ladies a moment alone.”

Trev nodded, but he paused before Evelyn. “Are you all right? Surely, you feel better now?”

She smiled up at him. “Thank you…for being kind, for helping us get to London…for everything.” She took both of his hands and held them, hard.

He studied her. “I will always come to your rescue, Evelyn, if you are in need of rescuing,” he said. Then he whirled and left with Dominic.

Julianne took her hand and asked quietly, “Is Trev courting you now?”

“He can’t court me—I am in love with your brother.” And she felt more tears falling.

“You are in love!” Julianne hugged her again. But then she gazed at her with worry. “Has he broken your heart already?”

“Of course he has! Because we cannot be together, not now, not ever—I cannot put Aimee in this kind of danger!”

Julianne studied her. “If I had taken the safe course, I would not be with Dominic now. He was a Tory, an aristocrat and a spy, while I was a poor gentlewoman from Cornwall, who sympathized with the Jacobins in France. But I fell in love with him anyway. And then I fought for that love. And as I did, I began to know him—and understand him. And my love only became stronger. It was worth the pain, the fear.”

“How can I put Aimee in any more danger? I did not tell Lord Paget, but when LeClerc’s crony broke into our house, he held a knife to my throat. What if Aimee had seen that? What if, next time, he puts a knife to her throat? And Captain Barrow terrified her. He wished to interrogate her! Not to mention that, if they had found Jack at Roselynd, I would now be in prison, arrested for being his accomplice!”

“You are in a terrible bind,” Julianne agreed.

“And I am so worried about him. Julianne, we have to find out if he is safely aboard his ship.”

“That may not be that hard to do.” She smiled. “Does he love you, too?”

Evelyn froze.

“Does he love you?” Julianne repeated patiently.

“He has never said so.”

Julianne stood. “He is such a ladies’ man, but I knew when I first met you that you were somehow special…he must care greatly, Evelyn, otherwise, he would not have sent you here!”

Evelyn regarded her. “But?”

She sighed. “But he is a man of danger, and he has always lived life on the edge. I wonder if Jack could ever settle down.”

Her heart slammed. She wished that there was no war, no revolution, that Jack was not a spy for Britain’s enemies—and that he wished to live with her and Aimee at Roselynd.

“If he hurts you, I will never speak with him again,” Julianne finally said firmly.

“He knows we cannot be together. He knows he has put Aimee and me in danger,” Evelyn said. “He was very final about it. I cannot be with him, not now, not like this.” Pain stabbed through her chest again. “But I will always love him, always! No matter what he does....”

Julianne sat back down beside her. “There was a time when I thought I would never see Dom again…and I was wrong. There was a time when I thought he would be one of Pitt’s spies until he died, if the war went on that long! This is a terrible time, but you cannot predict what tomorrow will bring.”

“Lord Paget was a great man, a hero in this war.” She thought of his spying for the French. Why didn’t Julianne care about that? Why didn’t Paget? “Did you not understand what I said earlier? Jack was giving a Frenchman our military secrets!”

Julianne seemed bewildered. “I heard your every word.”

Perhaps Julianne loved her brother too much to have comprehended her. “He is a French spy, Julianne.”