‘If you wish.’
‘It is imperative. My family needs to know the truth.’ He paused. ‘One more thing...what can you tell me about my brother’s marriage?’
Xavier regarded him in surprise. ‘I know nothing of the matter, my lord. My conversations with your brother were concerned with our work.’
‘But you knew he was married?’
‘I assumed he might have a wife back in England. It was not unusual among the officer class.’
‘Not England. Not then anyway. My brother was married in Burgos, during the war.’
‘In Burgos?’
‘Yes, to a Miss Alicia Walters.’
‘I regret that I never had the pleasure of meeting the lady.’
‘It was something of a whirlwind romance, I understand.’
‘It must have been, my lord. We were there for less than three weeks.’ Xavier gave a self-deprecating smile. ‘I imagine he must have met her some time before that.’
Harry stared at him. ‘You were with Jamie in Burgos?’
‘Yes, I was with him. Well, not all the time, of course. As he was an officer we mixed in rather different social circles.’
‘But surely, if he had married you would have known about it?’
‘Not if he chose to keep it a secret. Besides, it was never my place to enquire about such things.’
‘No, I suppose not.’
‘All attention was on the advance into France. If a couple chose to slip away and marry they might have done so without attracting undue attention.’
‘I believe the wedding was performed by an army chaplain. It would not have gone unremarked.’
‘Stranger things have happened in times of war,’ replied Xavier. ‘You could ask the man.’
‘So I could—if he were alive.’
‘The witnesses, then.’
‘Dead too, I understand.’
‘Your brother was always discreet, my lord, and silence can be bought when necessary.’
‘True—on both counts.’
Xavier nodded. ‘I will reproduce this story in writing and bring the document to you tomorrow. Then, if you wish, I will swear to its veracity before witnesses of your choice.’
‘I’m obliged to you.’
‘I think the obligation is mine, my lord.’
The two men rose and shook hands, arranging to meet at eleven the following morning. Then Harry took his leave. Jack was waiting in the courtyard and now threw his master a quizzical look. When it appeared to go unnoticed he claimed the privilege of a trusted aide.
‘Might I ask if your visit was a success, my lord?’
‘Yes, Jack, it was. I have the information I came for. The formalities will be concluded tomorrow.’
‘That’s splendid. Congratulations, my lord.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Journey weren’t a wasted effort, after all.’
‘Indeed not.’
For all that the tone was level Harry’s mind was whirling as he tried to assimilate what he had learned from Sanchez. Jamie had always played a deep game and always for his own reasons, but this was beyond everything. Had he kept his marriage secret because he knew his family would disapprove of his bride’s lowly connections? Was he intending to wait until it was a fait accompli before breaking the news? It seemed most likely and, of course, his brother hadn’t intended to get killed. Jamie went his own way and once his mind was made up he remained resolute. If Alicia had won his heart he would have married her even if Napoleon’s entire army had tried to prevent it.
Harry could not blame his brother for following the dictates of his heart. Had he not done the same with Belén? A doctor’s daughter, no matter how attractive and well-educated, would never be considered a suitable wife for the son of a duke—even a younger son. Not that he’d cared a jot for that. He smiled ruefully to himself. It seemed he’d had even more in common with Jamie than either of them had known. And now there was Elena. Her breeding was impeccable, her lineage every bit as good as his, but she was still a foreigner. His family were just going to have to get used to the idea for she had found a place in his heart that no one else could fill. He didn’t know exactly how or when that had happened, only the truth of it.
Now that his quest was finally over he could put his mind entirely on their future. There were so many things to be discussed. Elena had never been asked what she wanted. Forced into marriage, she had followed him uncomplainingly, made light of discomforts and dangers, and been supportive in every way possible. It was high time that he began to put her first, to treat her as the lady she was.
On his return to the inn he found her in their chamber. She had been reading a newspaper but, hearing him enter, rose eagerly to greet him. He possessed himself of her hands and kissed them. Then he sat down, drawing her with him onto the window seat, and related the substance of his conversation with Xavier Sanchez.