The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(212)

"He's all right then?" Will asked eagerly.



"Yes, indeed. He and his brother and family."



"Thank God," said Monroe.



"Indeed. If not for Andre, I don't know what we would have done. They nearly gave us the slip. Not to mention the fact that we still haven't managed to clean out all of the London cell yet. But they'll do for a start. And Elizabeth here never has to worry about her niece or brother being harmed by Ferncliffe ever again."



"Or us," Sarah said, bestowing a relieved smile upon her husband. "We're safe too, for now. Even being out of the war for two years, there are plenty of people out for your blood."



Alexander kissed his wife's hand. "I knew the risks when I chose to be a spymaster. I'm only sorry it's put you in such danger, darling."



"It's not your fault. You had no memory of the past when you came to me in Brimley."



"But you remember now?" Will asked.



Alexander nodded. "Quite a lot. And the location of concealed caches of information for whatever I don't. We have scotched the snake, gentlemen, not killed it. As long as Napoleon is left alive, we're all in danger. But I'll do what I can to mop up the mess here, and clean out this rat's nest of treason once and for all."



Parks had been unusually silent as he listened to Alexander. He sipped the second fortifying glass of brandy he had been given, and looked utterly exhausted.



He was undoubtedly alive, with only a thin red line to mark where he had been injured. Yet as Elizabeth looked at the hard planes of his face, it was almost as though he had aged ten years. She could only hope the grim look would fade in time.



At the lull in the conversation, Sarah rose from the sofa. "I hope you don't mind if we retire now, Elizabeth. Alexander still gets worn out easily after-"



"No, not at all." She kissed her friend. "I'll see you tomorrow. Not too early," she added with a knowing smile.



"No, indeed." She winked. "He's a marvel, your Will. No wonder you seem to glow. I'm so happy for you."



Elizabeth managed a smile, and said good night.



Once they were alone, Will tried to apologize to his friends. "I hope you both know I didn't tell you about the cave because I wanted to protect you. I had the most awful premonition of disaster. You were all right, Monroe, but you, Parks. Hitting me on the head like that, charging in like a hero to save Elizabeth. It was damned foolish. But thank you."



"I wanted to make up for--"



Will shook his head. "Nothing to make up for. As it turned out, the shooting in the cave set off a chain reaction, and all the powder they had kept stored in barrels sparked off. The storm and the explosions in the cave caused the landslide.



"My premonition was right. I never wanted you to get involved in trying to clear my name, but you insisted. You're a good friend, Parks, but you can be dashed annoying at times. Do you both forgive me?"



Monroe shrugged. "Nothing to forgive so far as I'm concerned, old fellow." He offered his hand to shake.



Will gripped it with relief.



"That's true," Parks agreed. "I'd have done the same to try to protect you."



Will smiled in relief and shook Parks' hands as well, then threw one arm about each of their shoulders for a quick hug. "I've been so blessed in my friends, and triply so in my wife. I will thank all the gods in the heavens and on earth for them. And I suppose our son, when he is born, is going to have to be Geoffrey Duncan. Or Duncan Geoffrey?"



Parks and Monroe grinned with pleasure, and returned the hug.



Will poured another brandy each and settled down beside his wife once more.



"Geoffrey is rather distinguished, I think," Parks said with an innocent look.



"Duncan is a most noble name as well," Monroe retorted, grinning.



Will gazed down at his wife. "I shall let Elizabeth decide."



"It could be a girl, you know," she said with a smile.



"Or even twins," Monroe put in. "Look at Evelyn and Arthur."



Will and Elizabeth smiled at each other knowingly. "In that case," she said, "I shan't have to choose at all."



They all jumped to their feet as Doc Gallagher came in.



"How is she?" Will asked in a ragged tone as he saw his friend's face.



"Resting. She'll be fine in a few weeks. It was a rather early pregnancy. Stewart is taking it pretty hard, but Vevina seems, well, resigned. Perhaps after the hard time she had with the twins, she's just not fated to-"



"Can we see her?"



He nodded. "For a moment, no more. She will need to rest."