Page 98 of The Bachelor Spy
That their losses had crippled them beyond return.
But it wasn’t so. Not only because God’s best work came through brokenness, but also because Frederick was much more than his eyesight or his stature or many other things. He was good-hearted and clever and fiercely protective.
And he would get to the other side of this, whatever it looked like on the other side.
“Frederick, I’ve faced many challenges over the months since you left. In all honesty, I faced things I never imagined I’d be able to manage.” She rubbed her thumb against his cheek. “But we can do a great many things when we must. And we can do them even better together.”
He brought her gloved hand to his lips so quickly she had no time to prepare.
“Oh my darling,” he breathed over her knuckles. “How I’ve missed you. Your sunshine, your faith, your strength.” His brow rose, a hint of self-deprecating humor in his voice. “I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I was—and I may very well be using this word correctly—piningfor your letters.”
Her smile spread so wide it strained her cheeks. “It is admirable, indeed, for you to admit that outright. And I adore it.” She drew their braided hands to her cheek, closing her eyes and holding his palm against her face. Pining, waiting, praying, hoping—oh, she’d felt them all every day of their separation. “And because I don’t wish for you to worry, I promise to do my best to leave the spy business to Blake and Miss Montgomery. You and I can focus our attention on Pennington.”
“The thief.” Frederick sighed—relief, she hoped. “Yes. You were going to explain more about the thefts.”
“There have been several thefts over the past few weeks. First a painting from the morning room and then some silver candlesticks.”
“Before all the spy business?” He straightened.
“I suppose it was all happening around the same time, but I learned about the thefts first. The painting and candlesticks thief, however, turned out to be our housemaid Jane, who confessed and has been let go.” Grace squeezed his hand again, more for her own comfort than his. “And it was very difficult to let her go, Frederick, because she truly was remorseful, but I thought it had to be done.”
His lips softened the slightest bit. “I’m certain it was difficult for you.”
“I made sure Brandon gave her a bit of extra money when she left, just because her father is so deathly ill. That’s the whole reason she stole those items.”
His lips pinched tight, as if attempting to keep from responding, and she could almost sense him closing his eyes behind those dark lenses. Perhaps giving the extra funds had been unwise?
“No servant-turned-thief could ask for a more gracious judgment, darling.”
She felt the warmth of his approval all the way to her heart.
“I’m so glad you agree.” She relaxed back in her seat with a nod of satisfaction. “But then someone broke into your study and took the sketch of the chapel, which I couldn’t for the life of me sort out why.”
“The chapel?” He turned toward her. “That sketch is merely an excellent likeness of the nave in days gone by. More sentimental than anything else.”
“Precisely. Which at first made it seem unimportant. And why would a thief steal something unimportant?”
One corner of his mouth twitched. “I have a feeling you know why.”
“Perhaps.” She wiggled her brows. “Because then I found a button at the chapel. A new button from a military uniform.”
“Ah yes, one of the patients had been down there.” Frederick frowned. “Pennington, was it?”
“Blake and I think so, though we’ve not been able to locate his clothes closet to check for a uniform with a missing button. Or to discover whether he smells like cloves.”
Frederick coughed. “Cloves?”
“The cologne scent left behind by the person in the chapel.” She sent him a meaningful look. “But I’ve tried.”
“I have no doubt, darling.”
“At one point, I believe Pennington began purposefully avoiding me, even when I brought cookies.”
Frederick’s grin twitched a little wider, and it almost distracted her from her thorough explanation. Oh, how she’d missed that smile.
“But then Blake overheard Pennington speaking to another patient about tunnels beneath the chapel and some sort of treasure his grandfather had hidden there decades ago. Pennington seems to think it’s still there.”
“The tunnels? But those tunnels are unpredictable at best. Half of them have collapsed. If a treasure was hidden there, it’s likely buried beyond finding.” Frederick squinted behind the glasses. “Was this the Crawford connection?”
