Page 91 of Romancing the Scot
“I could not have done it without you.” His arms tightened around her. His lips brushed against her hair. She heard him take a deep breath. “Your courage . . . so impressive. Facing Elliot, I knew you wouldn’t stand and do nothing. I feared for your safety, but I was certain you would dive into the fight.”
Grace understood his fears. And she was relieved that he saw her as herself and not vulnerable as Amelia had been. What they had was a different path, fraught with new challenges and trials.
“And I was sure that you’d finish whatever I started.”
“We are a match, you and I,” he whispered against her lips. “You complete me.”
Grace pressed her lips against his, overwhelmed with the rush of emotion. He was her love, her partner, and soon to be her husband. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
He was hers as she was his. Forever.
* * *
The following day, Captain Rivenhall met with Grace and Hugh before he departed for London.
“I cannot tell you how sorry I am for our failure to secure the safety of your party when you landed in Antwerp,” he told Grace. “The Foreign Office has been operating under the assumption that the list would be comprised of military officers. We were focusing on men Colonel Ware might have become aware of during his time in the Peninsular campaign. We didn’t expect the danger to come from within.”
“Frightening that the treachery of Sir Rupert Elliot and Mrs. Douglas could have gone undetected,” Hugh said.
“When Westminster hears this news, a tidal wave will sweep through the Foreign Office. This list will undoubtedly produce a number of shocks.” Rivenhall turned to Grace. “On behalf of the crown, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. Your father’s sacrifice will be remembered.”
“About the source of the names,” Grace said, having thought about it last night. “I believe my father may have come across this list recently. As you know, he had been working in the service of Napoleon’s brother in America. I don’t know how he got it, but he obviously didn’t know the true identities of these people or he wouldn’t have addressed one of the letters to the envoy in Brussels.”
“Are you saying it’s possible this list was delivered with Joseph Bonaparte’s knowledge?”
“I cannot say. I can tell you that King Joseph—or Count Survilliers, as he is known now—wants nothing to do with those still loyal to his brother. He has been cutting political ties on every side. Perhaps you heard rumors that he was offered the throne of Mexico, but that he refused it.”
“Yes, we heard that,” Rivenhall replied.
“It’s true,” Grace affirmed. “He is withdrawing from politics. He only wants his family to live free of any further turmoil. The government of America has offered him just such a sanctuary.”
Grace had learned so much in her months in King Joseph’s company. He didn’t share his brother’s ambitions.
“My father’s remains. What happened to him?”
“Oh yes. By the time I found out about the colonel’s demise, Queen Julie’s people had already learned of the murder and had taken possession of the bodies. Your father is buried in Brussels, Miss Ware.”
“I’m glad,” she said softly, hoping that since they hadn’t arrived as expected, Queen Julie would have gone out looking for them.
“That was another reason why I was convinced the list was gone,” Rivenhall added. “We thought that whoever was responsible for the attack in Antwerp had the list. Beyond that, we assumed Queen Julie had recovered it, and it was lost to us in any case.”
“Only Elliot knew the truth,” Hugh said. “That’s why he wrote to Mrs. Douglas, alerting her to come to the Borders.”
“And insisted that we come here as well,” Rivenhall added.
“What will become of these two?” Grace asked. “And the others on the list?”
Hugh and the captain exchanged a look.
“I think it’s safe to say neither one will ever bother you again, Miss Ware,” Rivenhall told her. “Sir Rupert and Mrs. Douglas will be tried and punished for their crimes. They have a great deal to answer for.”
Chapter 32
One week later
The sky outside the open windows was a shade lighter, and Grace knew the dawn was about to break. Gently, she lifted Hugh’s arm from around her waist and slipped from his embrace. He stirred slightly, and she felt the temptation to curl back into his warmth.
There was so much on her mind. The rest of the Pennington siblings—Gregory, Phoebe, and Millie—were arriving today, but Grace no longer felt reticent about meeting them. She looked forward getting to know them before the rest of the family and their guests started to trickle in.
