Page 9 of My Gentleman Spy
She, in turn would fare little better. The well-meaning people of the town would likely make every effort to have her back on board theBlade of Orionbefore it reached the nextport.
“If you ever wish to see England again, you had better come with me now. If your new friends discover the truth of your situation, they will involve the local authorities. You do not want that to happen. Your fiancé has legal rights over you in this part of the world. They will hand you over to him,” hesaid.
He knew whatever lies she had told him so far would not stand up to any serious scrutiny. She looked once more at the assembled throng and to Will's utter relief accurately read exactly what the situationneeded.
She took several stuttering steps forward and threw herself headlong into Will'sarms.
The crowd cheered and applauded this delightful development. Love had triumphed all obstacles. Several of the women wiped tears away as they tucked their rocks back into their aprons. One even ventured a kiss on the cheek of a nearby man. Several bystanders laughed at the sight of the kiss, while Will prayed it was the woman'shusband.
Watching this byplay unfold, Will took his cue. He bent down and placed a chaste kiss on Hattie's cheek. Her melodramatic gesture of forgiveness demanded the fullness of hisacknowledgement.
The act of creating an impromptu facade was second nature to him. Spies were always having to think on their feet. Lives usually depended onit.
The townsfolk mumbled their disapproval. This was not the submission their hearts and minds craved from the wicked husband who had hurt his beautiful young wife. Truth was sitting quietly in the gutter at this point nursing a sore head. The crowd was making the love story up in its collective mind as it wentalong.
Will saw the pleading looks on the faces of several old senoras and knew a kiss on the cheek was never going to passmuster.
He looked down at Hattie andwhispered.
“Forgiveme.”
He bent his head and set his lips tohers.
