Wolverstone-a name that carried quite amazing weight. Given it was Devil-St. Ives-making the recommendation, the magistrate had been only too happy to await developments.
The ladies had arrived very soon after the end of the action, much to the men’s unfeigned delight; they’d been able to hand the two hysterical local women into gentler clutches to be soothed and calmed. Eventually, Devil had nudged the vicar in the same direction.
As Del had been quick to later acknowledge, the ladies had contributed in a very real way to the success of their mission.
Sangay had been thrilled, especially when he’d seen Larkins’s dead body. When Sligo and Cobby had arrived, he’d happily recited every second of his ordeal, every last detail of all he’d witnessed. He’d still been chattering when they’d reached the Grange. Being introduced to Royce had abruptly sealed his lips. Wide-eyed, he’d bowed low, and accepted a commendation for his bravery in stunned silence. Despite the assembled ladies’ kind words and reassuring smiles, he’d been perfectly happy to be dispatched with Cobby and Sligo to the kitchens.
“I’ve been wondering the same thing.” Gervase strolled up, his wife, Madeline, on his arm. He and Tony had been stunned to discover their wives and families-in both cases their wives had much younger brothers as well as their own young children with them-in residence at the Grange. Minerva, it transpired, had made plans of her own.
“It does seem as if,” Tony said as he and his wife, Alicia, joined the group, “a dead Larkins ought to be worth something-that his body is a weapon we could use in some way.”
“Perhaps,” Royce said, “but not yet, I think.”
“I heard that Shrewton-Ferrar’s father-is in residence at Wymondham, as he usually is at this time of year.” Demon, with Flick, joined them. “Wymondham’s this side of Norwich, not all that far from here.” Demon arched a brow at Royce. “I assume that’s one reason you’re using this as your base.”
Royce smiled. “That, and knowing I had all you Cynsters I could call on as additional troops.”
“We’ve still got three men-three couriers-to come in,” Del said.
“Which is why I think we might wait and see what comes next before deciding how best to use Larkins’s body.” Royce glanced at Devil, then Vane and Demon. “In case you haven’t yet realized, your roles in this game are far from over. All the couriers are to make their way here, and this is home territory for you.”
Devil, Vane, and Demon looked delighted.
Honoria had come up beside Devil in time to hear Royce’s words, and to witness her husband’s reaction. She poked him in the arm. “Which, of course, means
All the wives-and Deliah. A funny little frisson of happiness went through her to know she was included in that company.
Honoria raised her eyes to Royce’s face. “Which leads me to ask, what does this letter say, exactly? I assume”-she glanced at Del-“that you have a copy?”
Del exchanged a glance with Royce.
Royce didn’t frown, but the expression filled his eyes. “No. We don’t.” He glanced again at Del. “Unless you made another?”
Lips twisting wryly, Del shook his head. “I never imagined the Black Cobra would succeed in stealing the copy I was carrying, so no, I didn’t make another.”
Minerva looked at Del, then twisted in her chair to look up at her husband. “So you still don’t know exactly what’s in this letter? I thought you said there was a chance there might be more in it than Del and his colleagues had seen?”
Lips firming, Royce nodded. “I did.” After a moment, he added, “I’ll send a messenger to Trentham and ask him to ensure a copy is made from the decoy Hamilton’s carrying, in case, as with Del’s, they decide to sacrifice it.”
Minerva and Honoria approved the action with identical imperious nods. Turning back in her chair, Minerva saw their butler appear in the doorway. “However”-she rose-“you’ll have to wait until after dinner to send your messenger. Dinner is ready to be served, and tonight, we’re celebrating.”
No one was game enough to attempt to gainsay the Duchess of Wolverstone, least of all her arrogantly powerful husband. The company duly fell into line, husbands unfashionably, and with all due attention, escorting their wives; the majority had yet to be informed of the penance they would have to pay for their rabid protectiveness, and not one of them had forgotten it.
Del offered Deliah his arm, and they went in with the others, all chatting and commenting in relaxed and easy camaraderie, all glad the day was ending so well. While it might not have yielded the ultimate victory they wanted- not yet-a definite blow had been struck, and they’d all come away without hurt or harm.
Once the glasses were charged, at the head of the table Royce rose to address them. An expectant hush fell over the room. He looked down the long board, lips lightly curving as he included them all. “We’ve drawn first blood. In the last days, we’ve won a number of skirmishes and, this morning, the first battle. Yes, we haven’t yet won our war, but we’ve made an excellent start.”
He raised his glass to Del, seated halfway down the table. “To Delborough, and the successful conclusion of his part in this mission.”
They all cheered and drank.
Del smiled and inclined his head in acknowledgment.
“The next engagement,” Royce continued, “will be on us soon-as Hamilton draws near, which, with any luck, will be tomorrow.”
Cheers from all the men greeted that news.
“However,” Royce went on, his gaze returning to Del, “tonight is for celebrating the success of today. For that, and for all that’s to come, I give you a toast.” He raised his glass high. “To justice for all who deserve it. And death to the Black Cobra.”
“Hear, hear!” came from all around. The men all rose, raised their glasses high and drank. The ladies drank, too. Not one shied from the sentiment declared.
Then everyone subsided, and the meal began.
Excellent food, excellent wine, and excellent company. Free-flowing conversations and the warmth of good cheer wrapped Deliah in their comfort, welcomed and reassured. As the meal progressed, she became increasingly aware of the quiet happiness welling within her. Content beyond measure, she glanced at Del, seated beside her, and saw the same appreciation in his eyes.
They shared a smile, knew without speaking what was in the other’s mind. This was home-at last, they were here. For both of them the journey had been long, but they were there now; at last they knew what their future would hold.
His eyes still locked with hers, Del found her hand, raised it, placed a kiss in her palm, then closed his hand over her fingers. He turned his head to answer a question from Devil.
Deliah studied his profile, let her happiness continue to well.
She’d heard the phrase before.
Now she understood it.
All their ladies
Later that evening, back at Somersham Place, Del followed Deliah up the stairs to her room-just as all the other men were following their wives, metaphorically trotting penitently at their heels to face whatever penance was to be theirs.
And just like all the other men, he had to fight to keep a smile from his face.
In his case, the only thing that had marred his day was Ferrar escaping, but as he hadn’t really expected the bastard to even be there, he couldn’t repine too much. Tomorrow, as Royce had intimated, was another day.
Overall, as Deliah halted before her door and he reached around her to open it, he was feeling distinctly… mellow. It had been such a long time since he’d felt that way that the word took a moment to come to his mind.
Following Deliah into the room, he shut the door behind them. She was unbuttoning her pelisse. He crossed to
