Page 83 of A Misguided Devotion

Mr Jenkin nodded.

“I don’t understand. The way she behaved, I thought…”

“It was a ruse. To hide the truth.”

William dropped his head into his hands. He’d tried to kiss a married woman? He thanked God that Miss Barr—no, Mrs Jenkin—had turned away at the last moment so he’d only bussed her cheek.

“No wonder you wanted to thump me. How could you bear watching me flirt with her?”

“It was hard, but as you surmised, her father does not approve of me. We’ve been promised to each other for over a year, but had to wait. We married by licence in Weymouth the day after she came of age, but we had to keep it a secret.”

“The day we found you arguing in the churchyard?”

Mr Jenkin heaved a sigh. “I told her to return home, but she wanted to stay with me.”

William struggled to understand any man wanting to be apart from his wife on their wedding night. “Why did you send her away?”

“Because of my work. Someone living in Rufus House is aiding the smugglers—and worse. Helping French officers to escape the country. Laura’s father is the most likely candidate, but he is a powerful figure to accuse without evidence. That’s why I begged Laura to wait. It’s better he thinks I am pursuing his daughter than that I suspect anyone in his household.”

That made sense, but William was in awe of Mr Jenkin’s devotion to his duty. Seemingly above that to his wife.

“Tell me the story of the madman.”

He related the strange tale of Mad Cousin Silas and Kitty’s nighttime encounter in the basement with an injured Blake.

“This seemed to support the notion of the insane relative, but after seeing you in a similar state, she wondered if Mr Barrington had set Blake onto you. To put an end to his daughter’s indiscretions, so I was not dissuaded from marrying her.”

Mr Jenkin scratched his chin. “I didn’t come near Rufus House that evening. I was in a tussle with smugglers—unidentifiable because of their blackened faces. Blake could have been one of them.”

“If he was working with the smugglers, that would explain why our message was delayed in reaching you the night we saw lights.”

Mr Jenkin scowled. “We? You were out walking with my wife?”

Heavens, the man was touchy. “No. I was with Miss Lacey. It was her reputation I was protecting.”

A role William intended to take on for the rest of his life, if she’d have him—and now he was free to do so. Joy bubbled up inside him. No one could expect him to marry Miss Barrington any longer.

“I think the key to this puzzle is that basement room,” said Mr Jenkin, cutting through his thoughts. “Could—”

The riding officer’s eyes darted to one side, and he broke off as shock transformed his features. “Look out!”

Something hard hit William’s head from behind, and he fell back onto the ground.

Chapter 24

Kitty sat up and rubbed her eyes. What time was it? It must be nearly the dinner hour. She hadn’t meant to sleep so long, but the emotion of the day had exhausted her.

For William to hint that they could have been more than friends, if he were free to speak, had been like offering her paint without a canvas. Goodness! That man had got under her skin so badly she was even thinking in artistic metaphors now. Anger had been her only defence, but once in the safety of her bedroom, she had cried until she fell asleep.

The rest had calmed her soul. As she dwindled into old age, she would cherish the knowledge that once she had been loved. Tempting though it was to hide in her chamber, she would need to confront William and Laura at some point. Better to get it over and done with as soon as possible.

She poured water into her washbowl and splashed it over her face, hoping to remove any sign of grief. A glance in the mirror showed she hadn’t quite succeeded. Her eyes were still somewhat red and puffy, but she doubted anyone would notice. Except William. She would not be able to hide from him how much pain he had caused her.

Kitty left her bedchamber and went downstairs to the drawing room. It was empty. She was the first to come down for dinner. Seated in a chair facing the doorway, she picked up a copy of La Belle Assemblée to flick through as she waited.

A few minutes later, Hugh came in. He gave an audible sigh and smiled at her. “No sign of the happy couple yet, I see.”

Kitty didn’t know what to say, but it seemed no response was required. He beamed at her and sat down on the end of the sofa nearest her. What a relief she had chosen not to sit on the settee. It would be nigh impossible to cope with Hugh’s attentions while her mind was full of William.