Rendezvous

20

Augusta had the entire household assembled before her in the front hall within ten minutes. She paced up and down in front of them as the last straggling chambermaid stumbled from a warm bed and took up her position at the end of the line. Even the dogs were in attendance. Aroused by the commotion, they had padded out of the kitchens to see what was happening. No one had thought to lock them up or put them outside.

Claudia stood tensely nearby, her gaze riveted on Augusta. Steeples, the butler, and Mrs. Gibbons, the housekeeper, waited anxiously for instructions. The servants were still in shock, as was Clarissa Fleming. Everyone had instinctively turned to Augusta for leadership in the crisis.

Foremost in Augusta's mind was the crushing knowledge that she had failed to keep Meredith safe. I will guard her with my life, Harry.

She had failed to keep her vow. She must not fail to get Meredith safely back. For once in her life she must be cool and logical and she must act swiftly. She told herself firmly she must put aside emotion and think as clearly as Hairy would think if he were here.

"If I may have your attention, please," she said to the assembled crowd. An instant silence descended. "You all know what has happened. Lady Meredith has been stolen from her bed."

Some of the maids started to weep.

"Quiet, please," Augusta snapped. "There is no time for emotion. Now, I have been thinking about what has happened. The window was not forced. It was obviously opened from the inside. The dogs were not alerted. Steeples and I and Mrs. Gibbons have been through the house and there is absolutely no sign of forced entry. There is, I believe, only one conclusion."

Everyone drew in a breath and stared at Augusta.

Augusta searched the faces of the staff. "My daughter has been kidnapped by someone from inside Graystone. You are a large group. Who is missing among you?"

A collective gasp greeted this observation. Instantly everyone was looking at everyone else. And then a shriek went up from the back row.

"Robbie's gone," the cook yelled loudly. "Robbie, the new footman."

At this news, the young chambermaid at the end of the row burst into fresh tears.

Augusta eyed the girl while she spoke quietly to Steeples. "When was this Robbie taken on?"

"I believe it was a couple of weeks after his lordship's marriage, madam. About the time we were taking on extra staff for the house party. Decided to keep Robbie on after the affair. Said he had relatives in the village. Said he'd been working until recently at an important house in London and now wanted to find a permanent post in the country." Steeples looked distraught. "He had an excellent reference, madam."

Augusta met Claudia's eyes. "An excellent reference from the Spider, no doubt."

Clarissa's mouth tightened. "Do you think it possible?"

"The timing of it seems to fit." Augusta broke off as the chambermaid on the end fell to her knees sobbing. "What is it, Lily?"

Lily looked up at her with streaming eyes. "I was afeared he had some wicked intentions in mind, ma'am. But I thought he only meant to pinch some silver. I never thought he'd do anythin' like this, I swear I didn't."

Augusta beckoned to her. "Come into the library. I wish to speak with you in private." She glanced at the butler. "Start the search immediately. So far as we know, Robbie must have been on foot. Is that correct?"

"There be no horse missin' from the stables," a groom volunteered. "But he may 'ave 'ad one o' 'is own waitin' on the grounds."

Augusta nodded. "True. Very well. Here is how you will proceed, Steeples. Have all the available horses saddled at once, including my mare. Mount those who can ride. Send everyone else out on foot with torches and the dogs. Send someone into the village to rouse the people there and dispatch a messenger to London to inform his lordship of what has happened. We must move quickly."

"Yes, madam."

"Miss Fleming will help you organize the search, won't you, Miss Fleming?"

Clarissa took on a militant expression. "Indeed I will, madam."

"Very well. We shall begin." Steeples turned to take command of the troops.

Claudia followed Augusta into the library and stood listening intently as Lily spilled her tale.

"I thought he liked me, ma'am. He was always bringing me a flower or a little present. I thought he was courtin' me, I did. But I wondered at some o' the things he done."

"What made you think he was up to something wicked?" Augusta pressed.

Lily sniffed. "Robbie said he would be comin' into a lot of the ready soon. Said it would be enough to set him up for life and he would buy a little house and live like a lord. I laughed at him, but he seemed so serious that I almost believed him at times."

"Was there anything else he said that alarmed you?" Augusta asked quickly. "Think, girl. My daughter's life is at stake."

Lily looked at her and then dropped her forlorn gaze to the floor. "Not exactly somethin' he said, ma'am. More like things he did when he didn't think anyone was watchin'. I used to see him lookin' the house over real careful like. That's when I wondered if he might be thinkin' of helpin' himself to some silver. I was going to tell Mrs. Gibbons, honest I was, but I wasn't sure like, if you know what I mean. And I didn't want to see Robbie dismissed if he wasn't plannin' anything wrong."

Augusta went to the window and stood gazing out into the darkness. It would be dawn soon. Steeples had moved quickly to follow her orders. She could see horses being led around to the front of the house. The dogs were barking excitedly. Even as she watched, several people carrying torches started off into the woods. Oh, Meredith, my dear little Meredith. Do not fear, I shall find you.

Augusta pushed aside the frantic desperation that threatened to well up inside her. She forced herself to think logically once more. "He cannot get far before morning, even on horseback. He has Meredith with him and that means he cannot make good time. Her weight will slow him down. In daylight he will be easily noticed by people who will ask questions and wonder what is going on. Therefore we will assume he intends to hide Meredith by day and travel at night."

"He can hardly stop at an inn carrying Graystone's daughter," Claudia said. "It will be questioned. And Meredith is not likely to stay silent."

"Precisely. Very well, we shall assume he has set out for a place where he can conceal Meredith until he makes contact with the Spider. There cannot be too many places around here where Robbie could hide with Meredith for any length of time."

Lily's head came up abruptly, her eyes clearing. "The old Dodwell cottage, ma'am. 'Tis vacant now on account of needin' repairs. Robbie took me there a while back." She started crying again. "I thought he was goin' to propose to me, fool that I was. But he said he just fancied the stroll."

"A long stroll," Augusta said, remembering the cottage where she had taken shelter during a storm. Graystone had been annoyed at having to come after her that day. She remembered that very well. She also recalled that he had told her the place was the only vacant cottage on the estate.

"Too long. That's what I told him. We walked for nearly two hours to get to the place. Then all he did was have a look around. Said he'd seen enough and that we should start back. My feet was hurtin' somethin' terrible by the time we returned."

"Is this cottage isolated?" Claudia asked. "Would it make a likely hiding place?"

"Yes, it would, for a short time. It is definitely worth checking." Augusta came to a decision. "Everyone else has already left to begin the search, including those two armed men Graystone sent down here to Dorset with us. I shall get dressed and ride over to the Dodwell cottage myself."

Claudia started for the door. "I shall come with you. It will not take me long to dress."

"I had best see if Steeples can secure us a pistol," Augusta said.

"Will you know how to use it if it becomes necessary?" Claudia asked in surprise.

"Of course. Richard taught me."

Half an hour later, with dawn just breaking, Augusta and Claudia brought their horses to a halt in the woods behind the Dodwell cottage. They saw a horse tethered in the old shed.

"Dear God," Claudia said softly. "I believe he really is here with Meredith. We must go back and get help."

"We may not have time to return for assistance." Augusta dismounted and handed the reins to her cousin. "And we do not know for certain that Robbie brought Meredith here. It could be a vagrant or some traveler who got caught by nightfall and found this cottage. I am going to see if I can get a look at who is inside."

"Augusta, I am not at all certain we should attempt this on our own."

"Do not fret. I have the pistol. Wait here. If something goes wrong, make for the nearest cottage. Anyone in the district will come to the aid of Graystone's family."

Augusta removed the pistol from the pocket of her riding habit and held it tightly as she went forward through the trees.

It was easy enough to make her way to the back of the cottage without calling attention to herself. There were no windows in the back wall of the crumbling structure and the old shed provided additional cover.

The horse tethered in the shed looked at Augusta without much interest as she started to slip past. Augusta eyed the animal thoughtfully and then went into the shed and untied the old mare.

The swaybacked old horse clomped obediently along when Augusta took hold of the halter and started around the side of the cottage. Near the front of the cottage Augusta paused and smacked the mare soundly on the rump.

Startled, the horse moved into a brisk trot that took it straight past the front door and down the lane.

A bellow of alarm sounded from inside the cottage. Augusta heard the door slam open and a young man still wearing Graystone's livery charged out.

"What in bloody hell? Come back here, you damned nag." Robbie whistled frantically at the disappearing horse.

Augusta raised the pistol and hugged the shelter of the side wall.

"Damn and blast. Goddamned nag. Damn it to bloody hell." Robbie was clearly torn about what to do next. He evidently decided he could not afford to lose the horse.

Augusta heard the front door being closed and then came the sound of Robbie's footsteps as he ran, cursing mightily, after the old mare.

Augusta waited until Robbie was out of sight and then she rushed to the front door of the cottage and pushed it open. Holding the pistol firmly in front of her, she stepped into the small room.

Meredith, gagged, bound, and lying helpless on the floor, stared toward the door with frightened eyes. And then she recognized Augusta. There was a muffled exclamation from behind the gag.

" 'Tis all right, Meredith. I am here, darling. You are safe now." Augusta ran across the room and yanked off the gag. Then she set to work on the ropes that bound the girl's wrists.

Meredith threw her arms tightly around Augusta's neck as soon as she was free. "Mama. I knew you would come, Mama. I knew it. I was so scared of him."

"I know, darling. But now we must hurry."

Augusta took her hand and hauled her out of the cottage and around the corner of the house.

Claudia saw what was happening at once and started forward, leading Augusta's horse. "Hurry," she called. "We must get out of here at once. I hear a horse coming toward us in the lane. Robbie must have caught the mare."

Augusta listened to the strong, rhythmic hoofbeats of a swiftly cantering horse and knew it was not the old farm horse she had just set free. This was blooded stock, the kind of animal only a gentleman would ride. There was no way to know if whoever was on his way toward them would be friend or foe.

Augusta was filled with a desperate need to get Meredith out of the way.

"Here, darling. Get up in front of Miss Ballinger. Hurry." She pushed Meredith up into the saddle and Claudia caught hold of her. Augusta stepped back quickly. "Be off, Claudia. Now."

"Augusta, what are you doing?"

"You must see to Meredith. I must be free to use the pistol if it becomes necessary. We have no way of knowing who is coming up the lane. Go, Claudia. I shall be right behind you."

Claudia wheeled her horse about, her eyes filled with worry. "Very well, but do not delay." She sent her horse flying off through the trees.

"Be careful, Mama," Meredith called softly.

Augusta mounted her own mare and prepared to follow. She could still not see whoever was approaching. He was hidden by the bulk of the cottage.

Augusta leaned forward, pistol still firmly clutched in one hand, and urged her mare into a gallop.

At that instant a shot crashed through the woods, sending up a cloud of leaves and dirt beneath the mare's hooves.

The animal reared in panic, thrashing wildly at the air with its hooves. Augusta dropped the pistol in a desperate effort to steady the creature. But one rear hoof skidded on dead leaves and the beast started to twist to one side.

Augusta leaped off the sidesaddle just as the horse stumbled and fell. She landed in a heap on the ground, winded, unarmed, and trapped by the skirts of her habit. The mare scrambled to her feet and fled through the trees, heading for home.

By the time she had caught her breath a man with heavy whiskers and hair that had been powdered to the color of steel was standing over her. He had a pistol pointed straight at her heart.

Augusta knew at once that the whiskers and gray hair were a disguise. She would have recognized Lovejoy's fox-green eyes anywhere.

"You got here a bit early, my dear," Lovejoy grunted. He motioned her to her feet. "I did not think you would miss Graystone's offspring so quickly, nor rouse your staff and start the search so soon. But I see the stupid little maid said exactly what she was supposed to say. That dolt Robbie was sure she would. And I was certain you would make the obvious assumptions."

"You wanted me, Lovejoy? Not Meredith?"

"I wanted both of you," Lovejoy snapped. "But you have deprived me of Meredith, so I shall just have to make do with you. Let us hope Graystone is as fond of his new wife as he should be; otherwise you will be quite useless to me. And I don't have any patience with things that are useless to me. Your brother learned that soon enough."

"Richard. You killed him. Just like you killed Sally." Augusta leaped at him, her hands bunched into small fists.

Lovejoy slammed her aside with a powerful backhanded slap that sent Augusta sprawling once more in the dirt. "Get up, you little bitch. We must move quickly now. I do not know how long Graystone will bumble around London before he realizes who I am and that I have left the city."

"He will kill you, Lovejoy. You know that, do you not? He will kill you for this."

"He has wanted to kill me for a long time and as you can see, he has failed thus far. Graystone has always been clever, I'll give him that, but I have always had luck on my side."

"Until recently, perhaps. Your luck has run out, Love-joy."

"Not at all. You are my good luck charm, madam. And I think you will be a very amusing one indeed. It will be a pleasure to take what belongs to that damned Graystone. I did try to warn him that you were not good wife material."

Lovejoy reached down and grabbed Augusta's arm. He hauled her to her feet.

Heedless of the pistol, Augusta whirled, scooped up her heavy skirts, and tried to flee. Lovejoy caught her in two strides and slapped her viciously. His arm circled her throat and the nose of the pistol rested against her temple.

"One more such attempt to run and I will put a bullet through your brain here and now. Do you understand?"

Augusta did not bother to answer. Her head was reeling from the violent blow. She sensed she must bide her time now.

Holding her cautiously, Lovejoy started toward the stallion that he had left in front of the cottage.

"What do you mean, you tried to warn Graystone that I would not make him a good wife?" Augusta demanded as he forced her to mount the prancing stallion.

"I really did not want the two of you getting together, Augusta. I was afraid that living in close proximity to you, Graystone might just possibly stumble across some clue from your brother's past the would lead him to me. It was not very likely, but it was always a worrisome possibility. I tried to avoid any such potential problem by heading off the marriage."

"That was what you were about when you lured me into that game of cards."

"Precisely." Lovejoy got up behind her, the mouth of the pistol pressed firmly into her ribs. "The idea was to compromise you when you came for your vowels, but that did not work. And the next thing I knew, the son of a bitch had married you out of hand."

"Where are you taking me?"

"Not far." He picked up the reins and spurred the stallion forward. "We are going to take a pleasant sea voyage, you and I. And then we shall seclude ourselves in a remote location in France while frustration and rage eat Graystone alive."

"I do not understand. Why do you need me?"

"You are my bargaining piece, my dear. With you as hostage, I shall get safely across the Channel and into seclusion in France. Graystone will pay dearly for you. His sense of honor, if not his affection, will see to that. And when he eventually is permitted to purchase your freedom, I shall lure him into a trap and kill him."

"And then what?" Augusta challenged. "Everyone will know who you are at last. My husband has friends."

"So he does. But as far as your husband's friends are concerned, I shall also be dead. Killed by a valiant Graystone who died in the attempt to free his poor wife. Who was also unfortunately killed. Very tragic. " 'Twill be something of a nuisance to assume a new identity afterward, but I have done it before."

Augusta closed her eyes as the stallion pounded down the lane. "Why did you kill Richard?"

"Your foolish brother tried to play a dangerous game, Augusta. One he did not even begin to comprehend. He joined the Saber Club because it was just the dashing sort of club that appealed to men like him. Then he somehow stumbled onto the fact that a master spy called the Spider was also a member. He reasoned I was doubtless using the place to collect valuable information. Those dashing young officers talked very freely when they were in their cups. A pretty girl, a few bottles of wine, and whatever information the members of the club had was mine for the asking."

"They talked freely because they thought you were one of them."

"Indeed. It worked very well until your brother somehow figured out what was going on. Although I did not think he knew which of the members was the Spider, I decided not to take any chances. I knew that he planned to seek out the authorities and turn his information over to them. I followed him home one night."

"And shot him in the back before you planted incriminating documents on his person."

"It was easier that way. I burned the Saber down and made certain that all the club's records and membership rolls were consumed in the blaze. The place was soon forgotten. Now, then, enough of such pleasant reminiscences. We have a journey ahead of us."

Lovejoy brought the stallion to a halt near a small bridge. He dismounted and jerked Augusta off the horse. She stumbled as she found her footing and when she pushed the hair back out of her eyes she saw the sleek, closed carriage hidden in the trees. It was horsed with two powerful-looking bays that were secured to a tree.

"You must forgive me for what will no doubt be a most uncomfortable journey, madam." Lovejoy deftly bound Augusta's hands and gagged her with a twisted cravat. "But rest assured there is worse to come. The Channel can be very rough."

He tossed her into the small carriage, pulled down the curtains on the windows, and slammed the door shut. A moment later Augusta heard him climb onto the box and pick up the reins.

The horses set off at a furious pace. Lost in the darkness of the carriage, Augusta had no way of knowing which direction they were headed. Lovejoy had said something about a sea voyage.

The nearest harbor was Weymouth. Surely he would not be so bold as to try to get her aboard a vessel in such a public place, Augusta thought.

Then she reminded herself that, whatever else could be said of him, no one would deny that the Spider was as bold as he was vicious.

She could only bide her time and wait for an opportunity to escape or draw attention to herself. In the meantime, she must fight the despair that threatened to seize her. At least Meredith was safe. But the thought of never seeing Harry again was too much to bear.

The smell of the sea, the clatter of wagon traffic, and the creak of timber roused Augusta a long time later. She listened carefully, trying to pinpoint their location. It was unmistakably a harbor, and that meant Lovejoy had indeed driven to Weymouth.

Augusta straightened uncomfortably in the seat, wincing as the bindings cut into her wrists. She had managed to loosen the gag without Lovejoy taking notice by catching the twisted cravat on a brass fitting near the door and tugging against it.

The carriage came to a halt. Augusta heard voices and then the door was opened. Lovejoy, still in disguise, leaned inside. He was holding a large cloak and a black, heavily veiled bonnet.

"A moment, my good man," he said to someone over his shoulder. "I must see to my poor wife. She is not feeling at all well."

Augusta tried to evade the bonnet, but Lovejoy gave her a glimpse of the knife in his hand and she went still as she realized he would have no compunction about slipping it between her ribs.

In a remarkably short time, veiled and securely wrapped in the hooded cloak, Augusta was lifted out of the carriage. Lovejoy must have appeared very much the solicitous husband as he carried her along the stone quay to where a small ship was tied. No one could see the knife concealed in his hand because of the folds of the cloak.

Augusta peered through the thick black veil, watching for whatever opportunity might present itself.

"I'll fetch yer luggage for ye, sir," a familiar, rasping voice volunteered from close at hand.

"My luggage should already be on board," Lovejoy snapped. He stepped onto the gangplank. "Tell your scoundrel of a captain that I wish to sail immediately. We have the tide."

"Aye, sir," said the rasping voice. " 'E's just been waitin' fer ye, 'e 'as. I'll tell 'im yer 'ere."

"Be quick about it. I have paid him a great deal of money for his services and I expect satisfaction."

"Aye, sir. But first I'll point out yer cabin. Yer lady wife looks like she'll be wantin' to take to 'er bunk directly, eh?"

"Yes, yes, point out the cabin. Then notify the captain to get under way. And watch what you are doing with that line, man."

"It's in the way, ain't it? Cap'n don't like that. 'E runs a nice tight ship, 'e does. 'E'll have me arse for that. I'd best get the blasted thing outta the way."

"What the bloody hell?" Lovejoy staggered, trying to catch his balance as the line looped around his boot like a snake. His grip on Augusta slipped.

Augusta saw her chance. She screamed and threw herself forward out of Lovejoy's arms as he fought to keep his feet.

Augusta heard a bellow of rage from her captor as he lost his grip on her. Through the veil she saw the grizzled seaman with the rasping voice reach out to catch her, but he fell back under the impact, enveloped by her cloak.

"Damnation," Peter Sheldrake muttered as he and Augusta both toppled over the edge of the gangplank and plummeted into the cold water of the harbor.

Harry saw his friend go over the edge with Augusta and realized that his wife was safe. Peter would take care of her.

Harry had his own hands full with an enraged Lovejoy, who was already back on his feet, a knife in his fist.

"Goddamn you," Lovejoy hissed. "You were well named, Nemesis, but the Spider always drinks his victim's blood in the end."

"There will be no more blood for you, Spider."

Lovejoy hurtled forward, his arm extended for a gut-slashing thrust. Harry sidestepped the attack and managed to catch hold of Lovejoy's arm as he tried to shift direction at the last instant.

Both men were thrown off balance. Lovejoy went down and Harry went with him, still clutching the arm that held the knife. They landed heavily and rolled nearly to the edge of the gangplank.

"You went too far this time, Spider." Still grappling with Lovejoy's knife arm, Harry tried to force back his assailant's hand. The point of the blade hovered just over Harry's eye. "But then, that was always your problem, was it not? You always took things one step too far. Too many deaths, too much blood, too clever for your own good. That was why you lost in the end."

"Bastard." The goading words had lit more wild, uncontrolled fires in Lovejoy's glittering eyes. His teeth were bared in a savage grimace as he fought to sink the blade into Harry's eye. "I shall not lose this time."

Harry felt the surge of maniacal power in Lovejoy's arm. He heaved frantically to the side to avoid the thrust. At the same time his fingers slid down to Lovejoy's wrist.

Harry twisted the wrist with every ounce of strength at his command. Something snapped. The blade altered direction, pointing upward.

Lovejoy screamed as he came down on top of his own knife. He spasmed and rolled to the side, then seized the handle of the knife and jerked it out of his chest.

Blood spurted, the bright red blood of death.

"The Spider never loses," Lovejoy muttered hoarsely as he stared at Harry with disbelieving eyes. "He cannot lose."

Harry sucked in air, tried to catch his breath. "You are wrong. You and I were fated to meet, Lovejoy. The final rendezvous has been kept."

Lovejoy did not answer. His eyes glazed as he died the death he had meted out to so many others. He toppled over the edge of the gangplank and fell into the sea.

Harry heard Augusta calling to him, but he could not seem to gather the energy to get to his feet. He simply lay there on the gangplank, utterly exhausted, and listened to the sound of her footsteps as she ran toward him.

"Harry."

When he felt water dripping onto his face, he opened his eyes and smiled up at her. She was drenched. The skirts of her gown were soaked and her hair was plastered to her head. Love and anguished concern blazed in her eyes. She had never looked more beautiful.

"Harry. Harry, are you all right? Tell me you are all right." She crouched beside him, cradling him against her damp bodice.

"I am all right, love." He caught her fast, heedless of her wet clothing. "I am all right now that I know you are safe."

Augusta clutched at him. "Dear heaven, I was so terrified. How did you realize what was happening? How did you know he was bringing me to Weymouth? How did you know which vessel he had planned to take?"

It was Peter who answered her questions as he came up behind her. "The Spider always did have the devil's own luck. But Graystone, on the other hand, was known for being able to second-guess old Lucifer himself."

Augusta shivered and glanced over the edge of the gangplank. Lovejoy was floating facedown in the water.

"You are cold, darling," Harry said quietly. He got to his feet and turned her away from the sight of Lovejoy's body. "We must get you into some warm clothes."

He led her toward the warmth of a nearby tavern.

Augusta, Harry, and Peter arrived back at Graystone late in the afternoon and the entire household rushed out to greet them. The servants grinned broadly and told each other they had all known their master would rescue the mistress.

Clarissa Fleming beamed in relief from the top of the steps as Meredith went running toward her parents.

"Mama, you are safe. I knew Papa would save you. He told me so." Meredith wrapped her arms around Augusta and hugged her fiercely. "Oh, Mama, you are so brave."

"So are you, Meredith." Augusta smiled down at her. "I shall never forget what a brave little girl you were when I found you in that cottage. You didn't even cry, did you?"

Meredith shook her head violently, her face still concealed by the skirts of Augusta's gown. "Not then. But I cried later when Miss Ballinger took me away and we realized you had not been able to follow us."

"I did not know what to do then," Claudia said, standing to the side with her hand in Peter's. "I heard the pistol shot and was absolutely frantic. I realized I could not risk Meredith's life by turning back. So I kept going. Graystone and Peter were just arriving at the house when Meredith and I got there. They guessed immediately Lovejoy was heading for Weymouth."

"Once we knew we were too late to keep you out of his clutches, Weymouth was the next logical place to look," Harry explained. "The Spider was always fond of the sea as an escape route. Sheldrake and I rode straight for Weymouth and got there ahead of Lovejoy's carriage. Then we went looking for a ship called the Lucy Ann."

"It turned out to be an old smuggler's craft," Peter said. "The captain had apparently worked for the Spider occasionally during the war. We persuaded him to let us take over his vessel for a time this morning."

"You persuaded him?" Claudia smiled skeptically.

"Let us say the man soon saw the light of sweet reason when Graystone used a bit of cold, clear logic on him," Peter said blandly. "Graystone is very good at logic, you know. It is obvious your cousin Richard had concealed information about the Spider in that coded poem. He was trying to get word to the British authorities the night he was killed."

"Peter was right," Harry said much later. "I am very good with logic."

Augusta smiled. She was lying in his arms in the deep shadows of his bed. She felt warm and safe and wanted. She felt she had finally come home. "Yes, Harry, everyone knows that."

"But I am not particularly clever about a few other things." He tightened his arm around her and drew her close. "I did not, for instance, recognize love when I fell straight into it."

"Harry." Augusta raised herself up on one elbow so that she could look down into his eyes. "Are you telling me that you fell in love with me right from the start?"

His mouth slanted in a slow, wicked smile that sent delicious shivers through her. "Obviously that must have been what happened, madam. Otherwise, there really is no accounting for my totally irrational behavior during our courtship and marriage."

Augusta pursed her lips. "I suppose that is one view of the situation. Oh, Harry, I am so happy tonight."

"That delights me more than I can say, my love. I have discovered that my happiness is forever linked with yours." He brushed his mouth across hers and then grew more serious as he watched her through narrowed eyes. "You risked your life to save Meredith today."

"She is my daughter."

"And you are fiercely loyal to the members of your family, are you not?" He smiled slightly as he ran his fingers through her hair. "A little tigress."

"It is very good to have a family again, Harry."

"You told me just before I sent you out of London that you knew Meredith was my greatest weakness. But you were wrong. You are my greatest weakness. I love you, Augusta."

"And I love you, Harry. With all my heart."

Harry's hand wrapped around the back of her head. Augusta's hair tumbled over his arm as he dragged her mouth down to his once more.

Harry came awake abruptly the next morning as his wife leaped from the bed and grabbed the chamber pot.

"Excuse me," Augusta gasped as she bent over the pot. "I believe I am going to be very ill."

Harry got up and went to hold her head. "Nerves, no doubt," he announced as she finished being sick. "Too much excitement yesterday, I imagine. You must spend the day in bed, my dear."

" 'Tis not nerves." Augusta glowered at him as she used a damp cloth to wipe her face. "No Northumberland Ballinger was ever ill from nerves."

"Well, then," said Harry quite calmly, "in that case, you must be pregnant."

"Good Lord." Augusta sat down abruptly on the edge of the bed. She stared at him in shock. "Do you really believe it possible?"

"I would say it was a distinct possibility," Harry assured her with satisfaction.

Augusta thought about that for a moment. And then she smiled gleefully. "I would think that the combination of the Northumberland Ballinger bloodlines and those of the earls of Graystone should prove very interesting. What do you think, my lord?"

Harry laughed. "Very interesting indeed, my love."