glanced up at her and gave a sheepish grin. “Sorry, my dear.” After clearing his throat, he continued, “Sutton showed me the letter and map and grid he’d taken from Nathan’s room. It was immediately apparent that for some reason his map was noticeably different than mine.”
Nathan’s gaze shot to Victoria and heat crept up her face. “I did say that I wasn’t an artist,” she said in her own defense. “And it was
“Goat?” Father asked, raising a brow.
“I’ll explain later,” Victoria said. “Continue.”
“Sutton studied my map,” her father went on, “and Nathan’s grid map. With the proper drawing, it didn’t take him long to figure out that the sketch depicted three streams. And that he knew of such a place that wasn’t already marked off on the grid map. We compared thoughts and theories and realized that since neither of us had betrayed the mission and neither believed Nathan did, that only left one person who could have-Gordon.”
“That realization pushed us to act,” Lord Sutton said. “We rode here to tell Nathan and Lady Victoria what we’d learned, but they weren’t here. We realized they must be searching for the jewels, and since they’d apparently left very early, we surmised they might have figured out the correct place to search. Since we didn’t know where Gordon was, and we needed to find Nathan and Lady Victoria right away to warn them, Lord Wexhall and I split up. I went to Alwyck Manor to confront Gordon, and I told Lord Wexhall how to get to the ruins by the stream. When I discovered Gordon wasn’t at home, I went immediately to fetch the magistrate, then we went to the ruins. We were nearly there when we heard the most god-awful, inhuman-sounding wail.” He looked at Victoria and winked. “Nicely done.”
“Thank you.” She turned to Nathan. “And very nice throw of my
With a sheepish look, he inclined his head in thanks. “I shall personally pen an addition to the ‘useful weapons’ chapter in the Official Spy Handbook. You are unquestionably a genius.” He coughed modestly. “Of course, my aim is unsurpassedly excellent.”
“I agree. And it was no less than he deserved. I did tell him those stones were
Nathan smiled at her. “Indeed you did. And I must commend you on your fine performance. You picked up on my ruse perfectly.”
“Where is Lord Alwyck now?” asked Aunt Delia.
“Magistrate took him away,” Nathan said. “He’ll never see the outside of a prison cell again.” He turned to Victoria’s father. “And now, since you know everything, as your physician, I must insist that you rest.”
“Yes, yes, all right,” Father said with grudging acceptance. “I agree I need to rest, especially since I wish to leave tomorrow.”
It seemed all the air was sucked out of the room at his words. “Tomorrow?” Victoria repeated weakly.
“Tomorrow?” Aunt Delia and Lord Rutledge said in unison.
“Tomorrow,” her father repeated firmly. “My doctor has already given me permission to travel.”
Victoria’s gaze flew to Nathan, who regarded her with an unfathomable expression. “Is this true?” she asked. “Is it really safe for him to travel? Surely it would be better if we were to wait.”
“I agree it would better,” Nathan said, “but his injuries are minor enough that traveling won’t impose any danger to him.”
“I must return to London as soon as possible and deliver the jewels to His Majesty,” Father said. His gaze shifted between Victoria and Aunt Delia. “We’ll plan to depart directly after breakfast. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Aunt Delia whispered. Not trusting her voice, Victoria merely nodded.
“Well, now that that’s settled,” Nathan said, “I must ask everyone to leave so my patient can rest.”
“I’d like a private word with my daughter, Nathan.”
Nathan’s gaze met Victoria’s, and again she couldn’t read his thoughts. “Of course,” he said. He was the last to leave the room, and quietly closed the door behind him.
Father turned his head on the pillow and searched her gaze. “Have you enjoyed your time here?”
Warmth instantly flooded Victoria’s cheeks. “Yes.”
“But you didn’t expect to.”
“To be perfectly honest, no. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised.”
“Suspected you might be. Always good to have a change of scenery before making any huge decisions.”
“Huge decisions?”
“Like who to marry. I saw Branripple and Dravensby the night before I departed London. Both wished to be remembered to you.”
Lords Branripple and Dravensby. Good heavens, she hadn’t thought about them in days.
“You seem to have formed a friendship with Nathan,” Father said.
Victoria studied him, but his eyes were as innocent as his tone. “Yes.”
“Glad to know it. He’s one of the finest, bravest men I’ve ever known. Deuced brilliant when it comes to deciphering codes. Impressed me the first time I laid eyes on him.”
“And what of his brother, Lord Sutton? Another very fine man. Has the mien of a gentleman and the hands of a thief. Excellent combination for a spy.”
“Lord Sutton was away during much of my visit, but I enjoyed his company while he was here.”
“Well, good. I know you didn’t want to come here, my dear, but I knew it would be good for you.” He patted her hand. “A father knows best about these things.”
Before she could ask what “these things” were, he added, “Happy you enjoyed your visit, but I imagine you’re anxious to return to London. Get back to the Little Season and the business of considering marriage offers.”
“I… yes, of course.”
“I’d wager I’ll be seeing my girl betrothed before the month’s over.”
Victoria’s stomach performed a lurching tumble. Unable to voice an agreement, she simply nodded.
“Excellent. Well, you get a good night’s sleep, my dear. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
Feeling as if she were in a daze, Victoria leaned down and kissed her father’s cheek. After bidding him goodnight, she quit the room.
She walked swiftly to her bedchamber, her pace increasing until she was running down the corridor. After closing the door behind her, she leaned back against the oak panel. With her chest constricted and her breathing labored, she closed her eyes.
She was leaving tomorrow. To go back to her life in London. Her suitors. Her soirees and shops. To choose a husband. She should be filled with happiness. Anticipation. Relief. Instead, she was filled with a horrible sense of loss. A feeling of sick dread. A desperate ache that had her pressing her hand to the suddenly hollow spot where her heart belonged.
All the confused emotions simmering beneath the surface that she’d ruthlessly ignored and shoved aside for the past week gripped her in a vise she could no longer disregard. This feeling of desolation had nothing to do with where she was, but at the thought of leaving here. Leaving Nathan.
The realization that she didn’t want to leave this place where she so vehemently had not wanted to come stunned her. And right on its heels came the truth her heart could no longer deny.
She’d fallen in love with Nathan.
Twenty-two
