Nicola was his wife.
Although Ian Markham, the Duke of Edgeware, was a man he would trust with his life, a man who would protect his family and worldly possessions without question or hesitation, he couldn't bring himself to open the door. "Your timing leaves much to be desired, Your Grace. Give me a moment. I'll meet you in the smaller private dining room."
"Very well. Don't take too long."
John hastily donned his pants, shirt, and boots and then turned to Nicola, who was staring at him in consternation. "If he saw us and knows we're here, who else knows?"
"Hopefully, no one. I'll go down the back stairs. It should be safe enough." He needed to talk to Ian. In addition to being a wealthy duke, Ian was one of the Crown's best agents. He would catch on quickly to their situation and lend some much needed assistance.
But it was troubling that Ian had spotted them. He needed to find out how. They'd been discreet, or so he'd thought. He sighed. Ian would tell him if he'd noticed anyone suspicious lurking close by.
"John," Nicola said, scrambling out of bed to stop him as he was about to open the hidden door and make his way downstairs, "I switched the books again."
"What?"
She gathered the sheet around her body as she spoke. "I had Mrs. Finch send up a book with a similar leather binding. It worked the first time, so I saw no harm in using the trick again."
He shook his head and grinned, watching her still fussing with the sheet around her gloriously tempting body. She was the oddest mix of sweetly innocent and sharply clever. "Where's the real book?"
"Under the mattress. I thought for sure you'd feel the lump under you."
His grin turned to laughter. "The only lump I felt under me was … you."
She gave a huff of indignation. "You're going to give Somersby's accounts to the Duke of Edgeware and have him deliver it to Prinny, aren't you?"
"Yes." The girl was truly clever, her mind always working. She really would have made an excellent agent. "It's for the best."
He'd worked with Ian several times over the years and had great respect for him. In truth, he also had a growing respect for Nicola's quick wit and intelligence. It hadn't taken her long to consider all the alternatives and realize his intentions.
She nodded. "I think it's a good plan. Somersby won't be looking for him or grow suspicious if the duke pays a call on the royal family. I suppose you'll give him the deciphering code parchment, too."
"Yes." He reached under the mattress and grabbed the book. After opening it to make certain he now held Somersby's book and not the fake one Mrs. Finch had delivered to Nicola, he shut it again and tucked it under his arm. He dug into his pouch for the parchment. "I may as well take these down to him now. Our work is done, brat. All we have to do is stay in hiding until it's safe for us to return to London."
She frowned lightly. "By ‘safe for us' I suppose you mean safe for me."
"Yes." She knew little about handling weapons and was too soft-hearted to hurt anyone. He was the one with years of training and experience. It wasn't merely his duty to keep her safe. He meant to grow old with her. He meant to share his life and heart with her. "Prinny is likely to put the Duke of Edgeware in charge of hunting down Somersby and rounding up every man named in the book."
"But some of them may be innocent, merely engaged in harmless smuggling of French goods. My aunt is particularly enamored of French chocolate."
John grinned as he reached for the hidden door used by the servants. "Ah, she packs pistols and purchases smuggled goods. Your aunt is quite a shady character, isn't she? Edgeware will use his discretion. He's one of the smartest men I know. Stay in bed and keep those covers up around your shoulders. Lord, you look beautiful. I'll be back shortly to worship and adore you."
He quietly made his way to the small dining room and was relieved to find Edgeware alone. "What's going on, Bainbridge?"
"Plenty. How did you know I was here?"
Edgeware shrugged. "I've been asked by Prinny to hunt down a rogue agent. I wanted the room and was told I couldn't have it. Nor would Mrs. Finch reveal who occupied it. I grew suspicious and kept watch on the servants' door figuring its mysterious occupant would try to sneak out at some point. When I realized it was you, I knew I had to warn you. I think that rogue agent may be after you."
John frowned. "Go on."
"I've put some of it together, for Julian Emory's sister is also missing. Is she with you?"
John nodded. "She accidentally got herself mixed up in the middle of something big." He related all that had happened, leaving out only the most personal details of his time spent with Nicola, which Ian would fill in for himself. "Get this book and deciphering code to Prinny as fast as possible. Guard it with your life."
"I will, but not until I witness your wedding ceremony. I'll leave immediately after that."
John frowned. "Don't you trust me to marry Nicola?"
"Of course, I do. But if anything happens to you, there must be no doubt of her legitimate status as your wife. No one will question my word, especially not her brother, who will come at you with a broadsword when she tells him of all your adventures on the run, which she will do. Sparing no details. That's the difference between men and women. Women share. Men don't."
"When did you turn into England's greatest philosopher?" John did not like the delay in Ian's leaving Harwich, but he also had Nicola's good name to consider. He nodded. "Thank you."
Ian laughed. "Just tell me where and when to show up. Or will you bring the minister here?"
"St. Mary's Church, right after matins."
"Good, that's only a few hours from now. The sun won't be up yet." He took the book and parchment from John. "I'll sign the wedding register and then head straight off for London."
"Send word to me as soon as possible."
"Count on it. I'll return to deliver the good news about our progress myself." His smirk was insufferable. "I'm determined to know Nicola better. Any woman able to get you willingly to the altar is a woman worthy of my respect. You'll have your hands full with her. Was she not in the thick of the plot to abduct her own brother?"
John groaned. "She and Rose Farthingale almost destroyed a year of our meticulous work on behalf of the Crown. But it was our fault. We never realized how … enterprising she and Rose could be."
"Hmm, hard-headed and determined. She'll need to be that in order to match wits with you. But I think that's what appeals to you most about her. She doesn't simper. She isn't helpless."
John flinched at the remark.
"Ah, I've struck a sensitive chord." Ian held up his hand when John opened his mouth to protest. "We're all driven by demons that haunt us. We wouldn't be agents of the Crown, serving in this particular unit, if that weren't true. Julian found his Rose, the woman with strength and love enough to turn him into a proper husband. Marriage is the best escape from this elite unit. Now, you've found your Nicola. I'm happy for you, John."
"I still have unfinished business," he said with a grunt, surprised by Ian's moment of sentimentality. Ian never let on what he was feeling. Never. In truth, there were times John suspected the icy duke had no feelings. Obviously, he was wrong. "I don't know what might happen next. What about you?"
Ian gave a wistful laugh. "I'm afraid there isn't anyone with the strength to pull me out of my haunted past. Too many of my demons are still alive and thriving."
Having said more than he probably intended to share, Ian rose and quietly left.
John remained seated, finding comfort in the darkness. He was used to the solitude. He was not used to handing over important missions. He always finished whatever he started. But the proof of Somersby's treason was now out of John's hands and it felt strange.
Of course, it had been the right thing to do. The need to protect Nicola had not influenced his decision. Somersby was hunting for them and that book. Giving it over to Ian was an easy choice. The Crown would take quick action. Perhaps offer him a reward for his good work. He knew what he wanted. It had nothing to do with wealth or stature.
He was a wealthy earl.
He wanted the name of the man who'd killed his parents.
NICOLA SENSED JOHN'S unease the moment he returned to their room. She'd donned her camisole and was sitting beside the dying fire, warming her hands over the glowing embers when the hidden door opened and John strode in. "It feels strange. Doesn't it, John?"
"Very." He came to her side and knelt beside her. "Edgeware insists on witnessing our wedding ceremony. We'll go to St. Mary's at matins. After that, it's just us. Here. For the next few days."