Page 64 of Once Upon a Reckless Rogue

“How was this so-called secret in her ring?”

“Her father gave it to her before he was killed. I suspect he thought if he managed to evade those he had stolen it from, he knew where it was. Lucinda had no idea and, to be honest, we stumbled on it quite by accident. It had three panels that opened and inside was what we were able to confirm as a formula for a noxious gas. I can only assume that Foxton had either wanted to keep it out of the hands of those he stole it from or wanted to sell it to the highest bidder himself.”

“A noxious gas? What would anyone need…Oh. My God.” Thomas closed his mouth that had fallen open in shock.

“Indeed. Can you imagine the harm it could have caused to men on a battlefield? To poison one’s enemy is against the rules of war, but our enemies obviously did not feel the same.”

“So, who created the formula?”

“That we are still trying to determine. I have Beckett over in Austria and Prussia trying to find out. He has reliable contacts there.”

“I wouldn’t put it past the Prussians,” Thomas said as he began to read the report. “I had intended to come back and take Lucinda out of that school. I thought she would be a good companion for my sister.”

“That would have been a good idea had you done it before you left.”

“My assignment to Spain was unexpected, and I did not have time to fetch her first.”

“As it turns out, had you done that you might have put your sister and mother in danger too.”

“I see that now.” He turned a page over to read the next page and the next until he closed the folder. “So, Beckett was asked by Stafford to collect her from the school she was living at and bring her to you?”

“You had willed her to me, apparently.”

“Yes, but I never expected it would ever come to that.”

“It made no sense to me at the time but as it turns out having Lucinda stay with us was…sensible. I could protect her, even though I had no idea who I was protecting her from.”

“And then you fell in love with her.”

“I did. I do not want to admit it, but from the first moment I saw her I knew I was doomed. She did not make it easy on me.”

“Elena was the same. She was so scared to love me. I guess it was because she knew I had to return to England. I thought it would be easy for her, but now I am here I can see that she struggles with the language. I am hoping that once I have her settled at home that my mother and sister will help me to make sure she is happy and comfortable.”

“I do not know your mother or sister, but I hope you are right.”

So did he. Elena’s happiness hinged on being accepted by his family.

Tony placed the report he had just read on the desk. “There is one more thing I need to tell you.”

“Yes?”

“I read your report last night, which is very thorough. However, I fear that if the French find out you killed Dushard they will want revenge.”

“I did think about that but honestly, what can I do to stop it? I plan to disappear, in any case.”

“What will you do with yourself?”

“I promised Elena a glass house for her plants, and it is time that I took up my responsibilities at home. I suspect my land steward will hate me within a week.”

“I never thought I would see the day, but I do thank you for your service, not just to the Ring but also to your country.”

“Thank you, my friend. I am quite looking forward to it. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to cash in my commission.”

“I wish you luck. And, of course, I will see you tomorrow at St George’s. Will your mother be sour that you did not wait for them to arrive?”

“I told her we were already married in Spain. This is just a formality to make it legal here.”

“So, straight to Dorset after the wedding?”