Page 47 of The Viscount's Code
“I’m not sure,” Reeves said slowly. “I’d have thought that he was as loyal of a man there ever was.”
“How well did you truly know him?” Anthony pressed.
“I see why you would suspect him,” Reeves said. “But if it is him, we must be very careful, as he knows people in high places. How would we ever prove it?”
“That’s the question,” Anthony said.
Eventually they decided that Anthony would pay a visit to Lieutenant Johnson when he returned to London, but that wouldn’t be for a time – not until after Cassandra and Devon’s wedding.
While they conversed, Anthony couldn’t help watching Hope, who was moving about the cottage, packing up any of her things that were lying about. He didn’t miss her straightening the cottage as she did so, and neither did Reeves. While Hope was occupied, he leaned in, his voice low.
“Good luck with her, Anthony. And if nothing else, remember your father’s greatest lesson – that sometimes you must put the happiness of yourself and your loved ones above all else. It’s what he thought he was doing. Do you hear me?”
“I do,” he said, mostly to placate the man, before he and Hope issued Reeves their final farewells before boarding the carriage to leave.
Hope let out a small sigh as they rolled away.
“What’s wrong?” Anthony asked.
“It’s silly,” she said, looking down and to the side.
“Now you have to tell me.”
“I suppose I was just thinking about how I shall miss our time here. It was so peaceful. I’ve never been anywhere that there weren’t servants nearly always at my elbow, ready to leap to fulfill my every wish. I’d have thought that I would miss them, but I felt rather useful while we were here.”
“There is some comfort in solitude,” he agreed. “But after a time, I am sure you would decide that you prefer the comforts of home.”
“Perhaps,” she said, before they lapsed into silence once more. This time, instead of an awkward discomfort, it was an easy silence, one that Anthony could sink into.
“Did you hear from Faith?” he said a few minutes later, and Hope winced, worrying Anthony.
“I did.”
“And?”
“She said she would meet us at the inn in Bures. Where we stopped on the way here. I never told her of our overnight visit, but she must have determined what our schedule would be. It takes her slightly away from her journey, but she agreed it would be best.”
“What else did she say?”
Hope’s face was not exactly the picture of innocence as she asked, “what do you mean?”
“What did your sister have to say about your little escapade?”
“Oh, that,” Hope said, swallowing, her neck bobbing as she did. “She wasn’t exactly… pleased.”
Anthony snorted. “I do not suppose she was. Her innocent little sister, all alone with a man like me.”
Hope’s eyes widened as she looked at him from across the seat, where she was perched on the edge.
“I can handle myself.”
“I am well aware of that,” he said, shifting closer toward her, unable to help himself. She drew him to her like a horse to water.
“Then why—” She stopped, looking away. “Never mind.”
“Continue.”
“Why didn’t you come back?” she asked, her words a whisper, her eyes wide and staring, as though haunted that she had even dared to ask such a question. Anthony didn’t have to ask to what she was referring. She was asking him why he hadn’t returned to her at night after the first time between them.
