Page 93 of His Wife, the Spy
Thankful. Annabel nodded, her heart thudding.
“Society sees a Frenchwoman who is dependent on a handsome man and assumes many things that are untrue. The more thehypothèseis repeated, the easier it is to believe. Even if it is painful.” Claudette briefly squeezed Annabel’s fingers. “There is more to our story than the superficial.”
Biting her tongue, Annabel forced herself to wait for the rest of the tale.
“All I have of Gareth is the letter he sent me from Cardiff, saying his family was still angry, and he was sailing for home. I don’t even have a grave where I can grieve.” Her fists tightened until her knuckles were white. “For the past year, they have accused me of killing him when he returned to Paris empty-handed. I, in turn, have been foolish enough to retaliate—accusing them of harming him when he refused to abandon me.”
Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. “Jasper and Kit have beeninfatigablein finding the truth, in convincing all of us that we were stronger together if we focused on the same goal. Without them, I would have lost my will to fight for Gareth. And for myself.”
Again, Annabel put herself in Claudette’s place. She had slept very little last night, and Jasper was still alive on the other side of the wall. How much would it torture her to know he was lost and might never be found? That she would never see him again, even if it was only to argue?
“That is the cause of your nightmares?”
Claudette shivered. “They are terrible. Jasper says I scream the house down, though I never remember it. All I know is his kindness when I wake.”
Is that what you think of me?
“I have misjudged you,” Annabel said, meaning every word. “I am sorry.”
“It is already forgiven.” Claudette dabbed her eyes and smiled. “I was often jealous of Gareth. When you find someone you love, it is easy to believe that everyone loves them in the same way. I am happy that Jasper has you.”
“Yes, well…” Annabel floundered for a topic that was not her marriage or the husband she had disappointed. “Have you been in Cardiff since we first met at Kennet Hall?”
Claudette nodded. “Jasper and Kit convinced me to stay, to see if villagers might talk to a widow more easily. That workedin two ways. The women were more willing to talk to me, but Gareth’s family also observed from a distance. I wrote them an apology, and we have met. Our friendship is fragile, though, and they look for any reason to doubt me.”
Which was why she couldn’t stay at Kit’s new home. A newlywed marquess and his wife were the perfect hosts. “Are you closer to finding the truth?”
“We have a name and a collection of stories, but we don’t know how anything ties to Gareth. It couldn’t have been his military service, not in Wales. He’d been gone so long that any grudges would have likely faded. That only leaves his father’s stables, but the family has no records of dealing with Mr. Collins.”
Annabel lost her breath. Mr. Collins from Wales. A body that would never be found. A scheme in danger of failing.
Spencer.
She pushed away from the table and fought to keep her chair upright. “Excuse me. I must speak with Jasper right away.”
*
“Why didn’t youtell me this earlier?” Jasper demanded.
“I was distracted by your collapsing in my arms in a bloody heap,” Kit said around a mouthful of scone.
He made it sound far worse than it had been. “And after that?”
“You were unconscious for a good bit. I had to choose between watching you sleep or catching up on things at Warwick House.”
“You meanhome, Cousin?”
It was odd to call Kit that, but it felt good to do so. And now that he was privy to the family secret, Jasper could see theresemblance between his best friend and the uncle he’d known all those years ago.
“Is that what it is?” Kit filled his coffee cup. “My staff hates me, the reading from Lords puts me to sleep, and there are calling cards piling up at the door. And tenants? Jasper, I havetenants.”
Jasper understood the feeling. Sometimes it seemed as though the only realprivilegeof a title was waiting to get it. Once you had it, the responsibilities fell heavily. Especially the care for those who had no privilege at all.
“You will be an excellent landlord.” He meant it. There was no one better at logical decisions than Kit.
“Thank you,” Kit said. “It will help that I have you to ask.” He drew a deep breath. “But to the matter at hand…”
Finally.Jasper rocked forward and put his elbows on his knees, only to straighten when his body protested.
