Redemption of a Fallen Woman(84)
‘A simple trick, but a clever one,’ he said. ‘Deucedly clever.’
‘The simplest ideas are invariably the best.’
‘I just hope it was worth it.’
Jamie continued to survey him steadily. ‘You shall judge for yourself.’
‘It’ll make a change to hear the truth.’
‘The mission to reconnoitre French troop movements was genuine, as far as it went. However, it was always intended that Xavier and I should part company at the Bidasoa River. He would go ahead and collect the necessary intelligence before returning to report the unfortunate accident, and I would be free to undertake a very different task.’ Jamie paused. ‘In order to succeed I had to disappear and adopt an entirely new identity.’
‘You have been gone for two years. What the devil could have taken so long?’
‘Initially my absence was supposed to be for a shorter time, but the matter became more and more protracted. I was following orders.’
‘Are you going to tell me?’
‘In outline, yes. There are some things I may not reveal.’
‘Understood.’
‘As you are doubtless aware, towards the end of the war the Spanish monarchists wanted to be rid of Joseph Bonaparte and see King Ferdinand restored to power.’
‘Who could blame them? Bonaparte was an upstart and a usurper.’
‘Quite so. However, the liberal elements wanted assurances that Ferdinand would govern in accordance with the Constitution.’
‘He only ever seemed lukewarm on that score.’
‘An understatement if ever there was one,’ said Jamie. ‘The man is a tyrant, pure and simple. Thus it was not surprising either that there should be an attempt to remove him in his turn. Intelligence got wind of it.’
‘And they sent you to find out more.’
‘It suited British interests to leave Ferdinand where he was,’ replied Jamie. ‘My task was to scotch the plan by infiltrating the group.’
‘Dangerous work.’
‘It almost did get me killed.’
‘So I see.’
‘By then though, I’d learned enough to halt their ambitions.’
‘So you were successful.’
Jamie gave a mirthless smile. ‘The plotters are either dead or in prison, but the most ironic aspect of the whole business is that now I wish their plan had succeeded.’
Harry frowned. ‘Is Ferdinand so bad?’
‘He’s ruthless, vengeful and cruel, a man for whom I have come to feel nothing but contempt.’
‘I see.’
‘I swear to you if I’d known what he was I’d have refused the assignment.’
For a moment Harry was silent, trying to assimilate it all. ‘You did what you thought was right at the time. It’s all any of us can do.’
‘I’ve given two years of my life to a cause I now detest.’
‘It’s easy to be wise after the event.’
Jamie sighed. ‘That part of it is over at any event.’
‘You mean there’s more?’
‘Some loose ends to tie up, let’s say.’
‘You’re needed back in England, Jamie. Quite apart from all the emotional drama the family is in a parlous financial situation. Father made some disastrous investments a while ago and the repercussions have been considerable.’
‘I had no idea.’
‘How should you?’
‘Is it really so bad, Harry?’
‘We’re like to lose everything if you don’t return soon.’
‘Good God!’
‘Then of course there’s the matter of your wife and child.’
Jamie’s eyes grew wide and he looked thunderstricken. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘I’m talking about Alicia and Crispin, who else?’
‘Alicia?’ He seemed even more surprised, if that was possible. ‘Alicia who?’
‘Did your injuries also include loss of memory?’
‘My memory serves me perfectly well. I was never married to anyone called Alicia and, to the best of my knowledge, have never sired a son either.’
Harry was suddenly very still, his mind reeling with the implications. Jamie frowned.
‘Why the devil should you think otherwise?’
‘Because, some months ago, that same lady arrived at Castonbury claiming to be your wife,’ replied Harry. ‘She’s the reason I came to Spain. Until your death could be proved the inheritance could not pass to the rightful heir.’
‘This woman’s son, I collect.’
‘Correct.’
Jamie regarded him in disbelief. ‘You believed her?’
‘We believed you dead, and her story was plausible.’
‘What story?’