Page 31 of Lady Tempts a Rogue

Sir, I pray this letter finds you in a timely manner. I know you wished to remain abroad for an undetermined while, but your mother has fallen gravely ill with diphtheria.

Three of the servants, including your mother’s personal maid, are also infected, leading the physician to surmise one of them contracted the disease and spread it to the others. The household is in quarantine and unable to move to Essex.

I have spoken with the physician, and I am sorry to say, he is not optimistic about Mrs. Everingham’s recovery, as complications have already set in. In truth, he asked how speedily you might return to England, hence, this unsolicited and presumptuous letter.

I await your response and directives. Meanwhile, under difficult and unforeseen circumstances, I presume you wish me to pay the physician’s fees and the expenses necessary for the household’s continued presence in London.

~Mr. Milton Shillingford, in an urgent letter to Mr. Devin Everingham

Posted via the Relentless Righteousness en route to Casablancafive days after Devin’s departure

Outside Trinity’s stateroom

That same evening

Hand raised to rap on Trinity’s quarters, Devin hesitated. All day, he’d sought a chance to speak with her privately, but none had arisen. He also did not want to be an insensitive clodpate, understanding she needed time to overcome her grief and her reduced circumstances.

Though she had not said as much, her expressive eyes betrayed her fear, vulnerability, and uncertainty.

He had no choice but to assist her.

Duchess, the ship’s resident vermin catcher, chirped as she approached, tail high. She circled Devin’s legs before giving a soft meow and padding away, no doubt for her evening hunt.

A sailor’s mournful tune sifted below deck as the Daunting Duchess creaked and groaned in an endless chorus of vessel, water, and waves.

Earlier today, Devin had approached Sir Godfrey on Trinity’s behalf, without her knowledge, and inquired if he and his wife might need a governess. Georgie and Gladys had taken to Trinity, and she to them.

Unfortunately, the McKinnicks did not need a governess.

As part of Sir Godfrey’s diplomatic assignment, provisions had been arranged for a governess, tutor, and nurse for his children. In fact, he had explained, the household staff and all other help he might require awaited his family’s arrival—all prearranged by the British government.

If Sir Godfrey found any of the servants unsatisfactory, he could replace them. However, to show his trust, support, and admiration for the Moroccan people, he believed it wise and improved relationships by employing qualified locals rather than inserting English staff.

Devin could not argue against his logic, but it also seemed unwise to rely totally upon people one did not know, particularly as a stranger in a foreign land. Only, Sir Godfrey was not relying entirely on the benevolence of the Moroccans. An armed contingent of British soldiers would meet the McKinnicks at the harbor, escort them to their home, and remain at the vast walled estate to provide ongoing security.

Sir Godfrey did offer to ask around and see if any other foreign consuls needed a companion or governess. That would take time, however, and Devin would leave for Fez three days after the Daunting Duchess made port if everything Mr. Shillingford had prearranged was in order.

Otherwise…

Devin did not want to contemplate that inconvenience. Nonetheless, he would manage.

If his father could travel the world and become proficient at it, then by God above, he would too. Father had not had to deal with a tempting female who, through no fault of hers, found herself stranded in a land not always hospitable to European women.

An unescorted, attractive young woman like Trinity would face certain danger.

That knowledge left a sour taste in his mouth.

Devin could not desert her.

She was not his responsibility, but he had voluntarily taken on that burden until she made other arrangements.

No one else would.

Mr. Compton’s features swam across his mind, and Devin scowled.

Would Thaddeus Compton?

How?