The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband Read Online Free Page A

that we were betrayed by one of our own made things worse.'
    The men exchanged glances. 'It were that, sir, and them papers you brought were invaluable and gave our troops an advantage when we marched through Portugal.'
    'I'm sure you're right, however, I can't see that any of those events are relevant to what's happening now.'
    'Captain Rogers was executed soon after for treason, weren't he?'
    'Good God! You think this is revenge for that?' Grey leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes in order to collect his scattered thoughts. He had uncovered the traitor and Wellesley had done the rest. 'I know nothing of Rogers' family, but I do know that they were not informed he was executed, but that he'd lost his life in battle.'
    'I reckon somehow the true state of affairs got back to his kin and it's them that are seeking revenge.'
    'I believe between you that you might have solved the conundrum. The fact that a rifle was used to shoot you, Ned, makes this explanation even more plausible. Jenkins must go to London and visit Horse Guards. They will have the information we require.'
    'I've sent for half a dozen extra men, all served with me in the 95 th – a bit long in the tooth but they'll be fine for what you want.'
    'Thank you, Smith, that's an excellent notion. A pity the man died before I could question him. I'm hopeful the knife might prove a means to identify him as the design on the hilt is unusual. I've sent it to Horse Guards by express in the hope that someone there might recognise it.'
    'Until you get a reply from London, sir, we'll be extra vigilant.'

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Madeline entered through the front door moments behind her brother. When he saw her he swore. 'God's teeth! Your gown is destroyed – I'd no idea how close a thing it had been.'
    She had been intending to castigate him for abandoning her but instead she flung herself into his arms. 'Someone threw a knife at me, I almost fell into the fire and if Lord Carshalton hadn't been there I would have burned.'
    His arms closed around her and he hugged her tight. 'Sweetheart, I shouldn't have gone off without speaking to you first but the matter was urgent.' He looked around and stared at the two footmen who were gawping at them and they slunk away. 'Come, you cannot remain down here as you are. I'll accompany you to your apartment and we can talk freely there without you having to change immediately.'
    'No, Beau, I'll join you in the study shortly. I'd much prefer to change my gown and tidy up first.'
    Lottie was shocked but held her tongue and did her duty; soon Madeline was on her way to the study. Her brother had sent for coffee and cake – both of them preferred this aromatic brew to tea.
    'I expected you to be longer, sweetheart, but I'm glad you were not. I'll tell you everything I know about the incident and why I agreed to leave so precipitously.'
    Madeline collected a slice of plum cake, and cup of coffee, and placed it on a side table by the chair she intended to use. 'First tell me why you had to go to Heatherfield so urgently.'
    'Carshalton was an intelligence officer and before he resigned his commission two attempts were made on his life. He'd hoped that he would be safe on an estate that didn't previously belong to his family. However, as you're well aware, whoever is trying to assassinate him has discovered his whereabouts.'
    'I still don't see how that requires your assistance.'
    'He wants me to use my contacts in Town to discover if there are any rumours circulating about him or his family. My errand this morning was to contact the militia – again he thought my request would be taken more seriously than his as he's a comparative stranger in the neighbourhood.'
    'I must only suppose that whoever had broken into the library was startled by my appearance as I can't possibly be involved with this.'
    'I'm inclined to agree with you. Whatever the reason for the attacks, it's no business of ours. I've done as much as I'm