Beyond a Doubt

chapter Fifty-Two




Lucy directed Bryce to the Lombard villa under much protest. When they arrived, Grace was beside herself.

“My lady, where have you been?”

“Has anyone come looking for me?” Lucy asked as she checked doors and windows.

“Nay, although I did see several men snooping around outside. They left soon enough after I showed them my broom.”

“Very good.”

The maid disliked being ignored and seemed none too pleased by Bryce’s appearance. “Who is this?”

“A friend.”

“Now, mistress, we have discussed unexpected guests. The house has been boarded up for many years. The rooms have to be aired and freshened, the linens washed, the—“

“He can have my room.”

“My lady?” the maid asked with genuine astonishment and censor.

“I shall sleep on the couch, Grace. I haven’t the time to argue at the moment. Please see to acquiring us something to eat.”

“But—“

“Grace, now.”

She curtseyed and said grudgingly, “Aye, my lady.”

After Grace left, Bryce turned to Lucy. “Ye might have explained a wee bit more to the lass.”

“This is hardly the time. If what you heard in the woods was true, then we have very little time to waste.”

“I’m confused. I thought Charles stole yer trunk.”

“He did.”

“I thought he did so to recover the message.”

“Aye, I believe that was his purpose.”

“But…”

Lucy stopped and turned around. “Bryce, you must understand, Charles was the envoy who carried the message from France to Scotland. The fool became drunk at a celebration and boasted he carried a fan with damaging information. Quite frankly when I heard the man gossiping at the Scottish keep, I never saw his face, only the back of his head. After I heard about the fan containing the information, I snuck into his room and took the item without doing much else. After which I left the keep as soon as possible and headed back to England to find my contact.

“Charles must have followed me. Along the way, at one of the inns I visited, a distinguished gentleman gave me special attention. I’m sorry to say at the time I thought the affections genuine.”

“But the trunk?”

“Oh, yes, the trunk.” The smile spread across her face. “He stole my things. I never suspected it was Charles until much later. He must have hoped to retrieve what he’d lost. Of course it didn’t work.”

Lucy paced, tapping her finger to her head. “By now he must realize I’ve deciphered the message. Who would have thought he was a master of disguise as well. Pretending to be a soldier for so long. Even the Admiral believed him.

“You know, I never guessed it was he who took Spalding to the alley and disposed of him.” She sighed. “Tomorrow is our last chance. I don’t believe we can reach the Admiral before he is set to speak, but I do believe maybe we can stop the attempt.”

Lucy turned to walk away, but Bryce stopped her. “Ye think ye are goin’ to walk into an assassination attempt?”

“Aye, I do.”

“Nay, ye are not.”

“But—“

“Ye will direct me. I will stop the attempt. I will never allow ye into harm’s way.”

Lucy was warmed by Bryce’s declaration. Unable to control herself, she leaned in to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. On tiptoe she angled until their lips met. Initially the kiss was to be nothing more than a light brush, but when their flesh touched Lucy realized she wanted more.

Closer and closer her body pressed to his. The kiss deepened. Bryce’s hand was now in her hair, pulling her in deeper and deeper. As their mouths melded as one, Lucy’s heart threatened to burst. Her breath came in rasping gasps. When Lucy thought she could stand the torment no longer, Bryce pulled away.

She lifted her chin. Bryce’s eyes were brighter than usual. “Lucy, I need to tell ye something.”

“Aye?”

“I, well, I—“

“Humph,” came a disgruntled voice from behind. Lucy and Bryce both turned in time to see Grace’s frown.

Lucy removed herself from Bryce’s grasp. His arms dropped to his sides, a dejected look resting on his face.

“Bryce, you wished to tell me something.”

He shook his head as he walked out the door.

Lucy stared at his retreating form. The maid’s grunt of dissatisfaction interrupted her thoughts.

“Grace, what are you doing in here?”

“I just came to tell Monsieur his room is ready, I didn’t realize he’d be mauling you.”

“Grace, please, it was naught more than an innocent kiss.”

“I don’t know who you are trying to fool. That was much more than an innocent kiss. I dare say the man is looking forward to bedding you.”

“Grace! You should know—“

“Oui, I do. I know you are not the kind, but the question is, does he?”

As the maid moved about the room, Lucy looked out the window. In front of the house, Bryce paced back and forth. His arms rose and fell, his hands fluttered through the air, his lips moved soundlessly. He resembled a madman.

Surely Bryce had known her long enough to have realized her character? He knew she wasn’t one to give of her charms freely, right?

Of course he did. After all, he was the one who’d broken off the kiss.

Those thoughts plagued her as she worried over what to do, not only about Bryce but also about the attempt on the Admiral’s life.

****

“This is ridiculous. I should just blurt out how I feel. Why did I let the maid stop me?” He ran an agitated hand through his hair. What was wrong with him? Perhaps he should go back to nodding and shrugging. What was the point? The lass was determined to get herself killed; then he wouldn’t have to worry either way.

Why were women so infuriating? Arbella, Duncan’s wife, had been a nightmare to guard. Lyall had been crazy. Lucy was not far behind.

The daft woman was impossible to contain and determined to harm herself. She was also beautiful, sweet, courageous, and self-sacrificing. He couldn’t help but love her.

He found a bench outside that seemed the perfect place to sit and contemplate his life. To start with, tomorrow he would stop a murder. Had he really offered to do such a thing? He dropped his head into his hands. Prayer after prayer rolled from his lips. When he finished, a feeling of peace settled over him.

“Bryce?” came a timid voice.

“Aye?”

“Are you going to come back inside?”

He nodded.

“I’m sorry about earlier.”

“Aye, so am I.”

A frown dotted her brow but she didn’t ask for an explanation. Instead she said, “We need to discuss our plan. And it is not safe to be outside.”

He placed his hand upon her arm and directed her inside. His touch was light, but still he could feel her warm heat through the fabric. Once inside she moved away from him and pointed toward the hallway.

“Your room is ready.”

“Nay, yer room is ready.”

“But Bryce, the couch in the parlor is too small for you. If you stay here, you won’t sleep a wink. Please take my bed.”

“Nay, ye will take yer own bed. I’ll find a way to be comfortable.”

“But—“

He spoke firmly, “Lucy, go to yer room.”

Bryce heaved a sigh of relief as Lucy disappeared. His change in tone had sent her away without even a question. This pleased Bryce immensely. Once he was sure Lucy wasn’t coming back, he walked to the parlor. Indeed the couch in the room was short. Without even trying it out, he grabbed a cushion and placed it on the floor.

Instead of lying down, he sat with his back to the couch and stared into the fire. They had neglected to discuss the plans for tomorrow. What was there to say? They would simply catch the Admiral before he stood upon the platform and tell him that making the announcement would put him in danger.

After they averted the threat, and had Charles arrested, Bryce would take Lucy home to Cameron lands.

Bryce stretched upon the floor. Worry set aside, he relied on God to ensure everything worked out

Nothing would get in their way; he was sure of it. With the help of God, the plan would be foolproof.