More than a Masquerade by Adele Clee

Chapter 20

Three weeks later

They marriedin the new St Pancras Church, a Greek-inspired building of some majesty, those who worked for the Order being the only guests. As one of Mr Daventry’s agents, and a man who knew how to host a wild celebration, Mr Sloane insisted on holding a wedding banquet at his estate in Little Chelsea.

Now, mere days later, they’d been summoned to Trēowith while Mr Daventry contemplated whether the men on the Council might keep their positions.

“I don’t see how he can dismiss you.” Rachel looked across the carriage at her husband. She’d never tire of staring at his handsome face. “You’re the one who solved the cases and caught the traitor.”

His smile turned her insides molten. “No, you solved the cases and caught the traitor. I merely rode alongside, watching in awe. In truth, I don’t care if Daventry does dismiss me.”

And yet, he’d told her his work gave him a purpose.

“Of course you care. What will you do with your time?” An image burst into her mind. Him waiting in bed when she returned home after a hectic day. Him drawing her bath and massaging every aching muscle.

“I’ll assist you when Daventry gives you a new case.”

Ah, now she understood his motive.

“You can’t be my shadow, Eli. I can protect myself.”

His gaze dipped to her right arm. “Had Jacob Hanaway been a few feet closer, you might have lost your arm.”

His words made her shudder. “If we all lived fearing what could happen, no one would dare venture from the house. Besides, more people die falling down the stairs than being shot in Greenwich.”

Still, it brought to mind the fact Peter Hanaway was still breathing. He was by no means as cruel as his brother, but men consumed by vengeance were often irrational.

“And when one considers the many times we’ve made love these last three days, it won’t be long before I’m with child.”

Eli exhaled a contented sigh. “You begged to have all of me.”

“I’m not complaining, merely stating that my time on the battlefield is limited.” She wouldn’t stop working for the Order but would ask Mr Daventry if she might scrutinise witness statements, look for clerical errors and decipher codes.

“I never expected to father a child.” His tone carried a hint of gratitude and a pensiveness that reflected those years he’d spent alone. “I never expected to fall in love, fall in love so deeply.”

“I never expected to find you. I love you so much it hurts.”

“Were we not five minutes away from Trēowith, I would demonstrate the depth of my devotion.” A sensual smile touched his lips. “Thankfully, we’re staying the night. I want to make love to you in the place where we shared our first kiss.”

Rachel jerked her head. “We kissed in Mr Daventry’s bedchamber.”

He laughed. “Perhaps not the same place. Daventry may share my philosophy, but he’ll share nothing else.”

Rachel laughed, too. She never thought she could be so happy.

It drew her mind to Lady Meyer and Mr Young. While an ecclesiastical court had ruled the Meyers could legally separate, Lord Meyer needed a legitimate heir and so had applied to Parliament to have the marriage dissolved. While the proceedings might take years, Lady Meyer and Mr Young had stolen away in the night and were last seen boarding a ship to Boston.

Upon her release, Mary Harcourt had taken ownership of the cottage near Mile End, and Lord Meyer had proved to be a frequent visitor.

Mr Truscott came hurrying to their carriage as the vehicle rumbled to a halt in Trēowith’s courtyard. “I hear congratulations are in order.” Their feet had barely touched the gravel when the gentleman shook Eli’s hand and bowed to Rachel. “Who would have thought a man as affable as Young could rob the Sanctum? I’m only glad I could be of some help.”

Rachel forced a smile. “Thank you, Mr Truscott. I pray no one need question your loyalty again. Has Mr Daventry arrived?”

“Indeed. He asked you meet him in the Sanctum.” He gestured for them to follow him inside. “Mrs Gale will have a footman collect your luggage.”

Mrs Gale was waiting in the hall. She gave a strained smile upon greeting them and asked if she might speak privately with Rachel.

Rachel followed the housekeeper to the dining room.

“Forgive me, Mrs Hunter, but I feel I must explain my actions the last time you were here.”

“You mean when you entered my bedchamber to snoop?”

A blush stained Mrs Gale’s cheeks. “A master of Themis once saved my life, ma’am, and I swore to repay the debt. I needed to be sure you weren’t up to no good, that’s all.”

“I understand.” Rachel touched the woman’s arm. “After the theft, you wished to protect what you have here and couldn’t be sure I spoke in earnest.”

Mrs Gale nodded. “Mr Daventry explained everything. He’s in the Sanctum. Best not keep him waiting.”

The thought of entering the tunnels filled Rachel with dread.

Eli escorted her to the rear courtyard, to the open iron door giving access to the narrow passageways. “Do you wish to hold on to me?”

She scanned the breadth of his shoulders. “I’d snatch any opportunity to touch you, but I suppose I must conquer my fears.” Every muscle in her body stiffened as she teetered on the top step.

“I’m right behind you. Never forget it.”

She could feel the power of his presence, protecting her like an impenetrable shield. It gave her the courage to descend the worn stone steps and shuffle through the dim corridors.

Mr Crocker greeted them from his position outside the Sanctum.

They found Mr Daventry sitting in the master’s chair at the circular oak table, studying an old leather tome in the candlelight. He looked up, asked about their journey, then gestured for them to sit.

“I received word before leaving Bronygarth.” Mr Daventry pushed the tome aside and drew the open letter closer. “The Beltons are to hang for murder. Although Mr Belton confessed, Mrs Belton is considered an accessory.”

“She lied and was prepared to see an innocent boy die,” Eli said.

“Now David Scrivens’ release is secured, I’ve arranged for him to receive private tuition. Should he prove himself, he will be given an apprenticeship as a clerk at the offices of Hellman, Jones and Reed.”

Rachel blinked in astonishment. “That’s wonderful news.” She felt proud to have helped prove the boy’s innocence.

“I’ve also done what you asked, Mrs Hunter, and met with Peter Hanaway. We came to an agreement a few days before your wedding, but I saw no reason to ruin the celebrations.”

She felt the weight of Eli’s stare, saw a flash of disappointment in his eyes when she faced him, for she had not mentioned her need to put an end to her quarrel with Peter Hanaway.

“I asked Mr Daventry to discover what Peter Hanaway thought was a fair inheritance. I don’t want to spend our married life worrying when he might seek revenge.”

“I would have visited the devil.”

“And you might have killed him. I can’t lose you, Eli.”

He breathed a weary sigh but admitted, “At the very least, I’d have broken his jaw.”

“Hanaway suggests ten thousand pounds is fair,” Mr Daventry continued. “If you agree to him contesting the will, agree Lady Hanaway was over-generous, his solicitor feels you might come to an agreement.”

“Very well.”

“We don’t need the money,” Eli said. “Why not let him contest the will and keep it all? I can’t help but think Lady Hanaway hid a mean streak. She must have known what would happen when she left you such a large sum. Perhaps she liked the thought of you fighting for your rights.”

Rachel fell silent.

While living at Henfield Park, she’d kept the extent of Jacob Hanaway’s cruelty to herself. Yet Lady Hanaway had a habit of reminding Rachel how much she needed her, how she should fight for a better life. It was always after a harrowing experience. Perhaps it wasn’t a coincidence. Perhaps Lady Hanaway had used her to teach her sons a lesson.

“But without my inheritance, I bring nothing to this marriage.”

Eli’s gaze softened. “You bring yourself. I want nothing more.”

She would have kissed him had they been alone. She reached for his hand and squeezed it tightly before addressing Mr Daventry. “Very well. I want nothing from the Hanaways. Will you make the arrangements, sir?”

Mr Daventry nodded. “Of course. And to put your minds at ease, Hanaway was overjoyed upon hearing the news of his brother’s death. He’s set to inherit the house in Salisbury Square, which pleased him no end.”

Rachel bowed her head and sighed with relief.

Mr Daventry stood. “We should send for the other members, to discuss the upcoming changes. There are new cases to hear, and time is of the essence.”

Rachel pushed to her feet. “I shall wait in the drawing room.” Truth be told, she was rather glad she didn’t have to gulp three goblets of wine.

“You’ll stay, Mrs Hunter. I have a proposition for you.” Mr Daventry gripped Eli’s shoulder. “Your husband will struggle to sleep if I send you out onto London’s streets alone. The world is changing. It’s time we had a woman sit on the Council, and Hunter needs a partner who can match him in courage and intellect.”

It took a moment for her to understand his intention.

“You want me to take Mr Young’s place?” Rachel clasped her hands to her chest. “But Mr Truscott will never agree.”

“All members have already agreed.”

“All members?” She shot Eli a curious glance.

He raised his hands. “I knew but didn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

“Well, will you accept the seat, Mrs Hunter? Will you pave the way for women to follow your example? Might your daughter see you as a woman who sought to change her fate?”

To say she was honoured was an understatement.

She could hardly find the right words to thank him. “I—I will gladly accept the seat. And know I possess my husband’s temerity when it comes to seeking the truth.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Mr Crocker alerted the members, and soon the meeting was underway. They heard of a kidnapping case, and Mr Cantrell revealed his suspicions about the identity of the spy passing secrets to the French. A heated discussion between Mr Swanson and Mr Truscott resulted in Mr Crocker ringing the bell and them all repeating the pledge and downing the wine.

With the objectives set, the meeting ended.

Rachel waited for everyone except for Eli and Mr Daventry to leave before attempting to stand. Consuming too much wine had made her a little dizzy.

“I’m afraid I’ll need an hour to recuperate. Must you drink the wine so quickly?”

Mr Daventry smiled. “Hunter will take you to your room. I’ll speak to the members about you having half a goblet in future.”

Thankfully, Mr Daventry remained in the Sanctum and didn’t witness her stumble in the subterranean passageways or almost trip up the grand staircase leading to the first-floor landing.

Eli’s private chamber was almost as dark as his room at Blackstone. The walls were slate grey, the tester bed carved oak, the coverlet the deepest blue.

Rachel flopped onto the sofa near the window.

Eli locked the door and turned to face her. Perhaps it was the wine that caused heat to pool in her sex. Perhaps it was the fact they were alone at last or the hungry gaze in his eyes that said he wanted to strip her bare and ravish her senseless.

“I expected to find you waltzing about the room.”

“For some reason, I don’t feel in the mood to dance.” She wanted to make love to him before the wine took complete command of her faculties.

He stalked towards her, his strides purposeful, sleek. “And yet the last time we danced at Trēowith, you were perched on the drinks table and I was seconds away from gathering your skirts and plunging home.”

Only he could make dancing sound so divine.

“Well, if you put it like that, I’m definitely in the mood for one dance.”

“Only one?” Eli captured her hand and drew her to her feet. “Usually, you’re insatiable.” His arm swept around her waist, and he pulled her against his hard chest. “Move with me.”

They danced the waltz like nothing seen in the lavish ballrooms in London. Their bodies melded together as they moved, the slow, sensual grinding a prelude to something far more erotic.

He cupped her buttocks and held her against his erection. “The last time we danced, we both made confessions. Mine was to say you had passed the test at Vauxhall. Though I never told you the whole truth.”

“You said you’d liked me from the moment we met.”

“I felt you entering my heart before you arrived. The same way your scent enters a room seconds before you do. Like the piquant smell of orange blossom, you remained with me long after I left Vauxhall.”

The beauty of his words brought a tear to her eye. “I failed to convey the depth of my feelings, too. It wasn’t a need to prove a point that had me racing across town, but an inner knowing, a desperate need to discover more about you.”

He bent his head and kissed her. “Perhaps we should thank Daventry for playing matchmaker. He’s the one who suggested we meet.”

“He must have known we were made for each other.”

He cupped her cheek. “He must have known we would fall in love.”

They had fallen so deeply, their meeting had to be fated.

Yes, theirs was a soulful love. A truthful love. A love to last a lifetime.