Page 74 of A Misguided Devotion

Her use of his title stopped him in his tracks. Though he wanted to discover if free traders were operating from Church Ope, he refused to lead Kitty into danger. “Let’s go back then. I won’t put your safety at risk. I’ve heard that those involved in smuggling sometimes attack those who try to interfere.”

Just then, a light appeared near the jetty. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to show a large group of men walking up and down the beach, emptying the boat of barrels, whilst others were hoisting them onto their backs and starting up the path toward them.

“It’s smugglers, all right, and heading this way. We must go. Now. Before they realise they’re being watched.”

He took Kitty’s hand again and half-walked, half-dragged her back to the house. Her safety was paramount, and they had come much too near to danger for his liking.

As they approached the rear entrance of the building, they could hear male voices. William recognised Mr Barrington’s deep tone, but could not make out the other.

He pressed his body against the wall and pulled Kitty in close beside him. So close, it was almost an embrace. William’s pulse increased, and it had nothing to do with the danger and everything to do with being alone with this woman at night.

He lowered his mouth to her ear. “I’m sorry to ask it of you, but I must leave you on your own in the dark. Mr Barrington needs to be told about the smugglers so he can summon Mr Jenkin’s men, and it would not do for us to be seen together.”

“I understand,” Kitty whispered back, her head tilted upward, so he could feel her breath on his face. The sensation was mesmerising. He gulped hard. He needed to leave. Fast. Before he did something they would both regret.

“Have pity on me,” he whispered in a playful tone that was at odds with his racing pulse, “and wait awhile before coming in. If I compromised your reputation, I would be in a right pickle, as I can’t marry you when I’m already honour-bound to Miss Barrington.”

“I understand. Go.”

William strolled forward, leaving Kitty huddled by the wall. As anticipated, Mr Barrington was standing talking to another man—Blake, the butler.

“Droxford. What brings you out here tonight? I thought you had retired for the evening.”

He cringed at the informality of the man’s address. Was he presuming to drop the ‘Lord’ because he expected him to become a member of his family soon? And he did not care for him using his title in front of Blake. Had Mr Barrington informed all his servants of his identity?

“I was restless, so I took a stroll down to the beach.”

“A dangerous thing to do at night, your lordship,” said the butler. “You might have slipped over the cliff.”

“My sisters say I have the feet of a deer, so I didn’t fear that, but there was more danger than I had suspected. Smugglers are operating out of Church Ope.”

“Are you certain?” asked Mr Barrington. “They usually work on the other side of the island. Have young Jenkin’s men become too efficient for them?”

“There’s a large group of them down on the beach unloading barrels. You should summon the preventive officer at once. He might be able to catch them.”

“You’re right, Droxford. Thank you for alerting me to the situation. It’s most disturbing. I’m glad you didn’t try to interrupt them. Such men can be dangerous. Blake, send word to Jenkin and then keep watch until he arrives.”

“Yes, sir.”

The butler hurried across the garden toward the gate, whilst Mr Barrington glanced around, staring into the darkness. Could the man see Kitty? Would he guess William had not taken his walk alone?

After a few moments, he draped an arm over William’s shoulders and led him into the house. The moment had passed. All was well. Kitty’s presence remained hidden.

“You should take more care of yourself, Droxford. Laura would be devastated if something happened to you, and it would be such a shame if your portrait never made it to the Royal Academy.”

William had the nasty feeling the man was more perceptive than he’d revealed. Had he spotted Kitty in the gloom and was warning him away from her?

One thing was certain. Mr Barrington was not going to let him forget his obligation to his daughter.

Chapter 22

To Kitty’s surprise, Laura joined them at the breakfast table the next morning. The melancholy that had weighed upon her after their trip to Weymouth had vanished. Was Mr Jenkin so easily forgotten?

No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than the man appeared in the doorway. His eyes skimmed the room until they rested on Laura, who ducked her head in response. Maybe he was not quite so forgotten as her friend wanted her to believe.

The riding officer directed his bow in Laura’s direction before addressing her father. “I assumed you’d want to see me, sir. To tell you what we found.”

“Yes, come in, Jenkin. Won’t you join us?”