Page 65 of Once Upon a Reckless Rogue

“I am not sure. I’d like to show Elena the better parts of London. I fear she is not impressed so far.”

“Here, take my token for Vauxhall. I will not have need of it for a while.”

“Oh, yes, the duke mentioned a honeymoon.”

“Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you. As a wedding present, Warrington has offered the use of his carriage to take you home to Dorset.”

“Really?”

“It is from all of us really. And when you are sufficiently bored of Dorset, please come and visit us at Ashtonvale.”

“That would be most agreeable. I shall send a note to the duke thanking him for his generosity.”

“No need. I am going to see him now about another matter and will pass on your thanks.”

Tony stood and stretched out his hand, and as they shook, Thomas thought, So, this was it? Officially no longer a spy and by nightfall, no longer a captain in the British army. Stripped voluntarily of the two things that had guided his adult life. He hoped that now he was on his own, he would find his way.

“Oh, by the way. Do you have my signet ring?”

Tony looked around him. “I do, somewhere here.”

“Bring it tomorrow. I will wear it as my marriage band.”

“As you wish.”

“Do not be late,” Thomas said.

“Have you ever known me to be late?”

Thomas chuckled down the stairs and out the door.

*

Elena smiled when Tomas arrived home. “Look what came,” she said, pointing to a large arrangement of flowers.”

“Who are they from?” She passed him the card. “The Earl of Bellamy. News does travel fast.” The card said, Commiserations or congratulations, whichever may apply. Typical Bellamy.

“Who is this earl?”

“A friend of mine, from the army.”

“What does it say?”

“Congratulations,” he said, omitting the rest. “On our marriage.”

“But we have not yet wed.”

“I know, but no doubt he did not. Anyway, it is a lovely gift.”

“It is. I can use some as a small bouquet for tomorrow. Then his gift will be twice as lovely.”

“Ever practical, my love.”

“You have come back more yourself than when you left.”

“I have read the report, which is just as deceitful as I thought it might be. The man had no scruples, but it left me wondering, why me? Did he dislike me? I never got that impression, but who knows who one might despise behind one’s back.”

“The man is dead. We should not give him any further thought. He got his punishment.”