A Stranger's Touch
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Anne Herries
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Prologue
‘You understand, Melford? This mission is important for there are dangerous men at work. If they discover your true identity and why you are in Cornwall, your life could be forfeit.’
‘Yes, I understand that, sir. I shall keep a close mouth. I know that his Majesty’s life could be at risk and I have given my promise that I will serve both him and the Government of England with a true heart.’
Lord Rupert Melford frowned. His family had a long history of serving the crown. When Henry Tudor took the throne from the last ruling Plantagenet, Sir Robert Melford had stood with him. The family had prospered since those times and was extended over England, with branches of the family living in France and the New World. Rupert had never met his cousins from the Americas, though he’d heard they did well. However, he knew his French cousins, and had been on the verge of departing for France to visit Stefan de Montfort, the present lord, when he was summoned to Lord Henry Cecil’s house.
‘I knew your grandfather Anton and your father Richard,’ Lord Henry continued. ‘Losing his first wife was hard on him, but fortunately he met and married your mother. Your birth and that of your sister was a blessing to him.’
‘Thank you, sir. My father was a good man.’
‘And you are very like him. When this unfortunate business was first brought to my attention, I knew you were just the man for this work. I know you are brave and intelligent, but we also need discretion. There are rumours, but nothing definite. If these rogues had any idea that we knew of their existence, they might go into hiding and we should lose them.’
‘A family of two brothers and one sister,’ Rupert said. ‘All of them smugglers and ruthless, you say?’
‘If smuggling were all it was it would be a matter for the Revenue Officers. A few barrels of French brandy or some silk that does not pay tax is one thing, but these Morgans are at the heart of a nest of spies and vicious enemies of the Crown. They are the means by which the spies enter and leave the country in secret—and it is these ruthless men who plot to bring down the King.’
‘King James is not popular with everyone, particularly some Catholic families,’ Rupert said. ‘However, he was the only heir to our Gloriana and is therefore England’s rightful king. These men deserve to hang if they harbour traitors. Why do you not simply send soldiers to arrest them?’
‘If I ordered their arrest, they would disappear into the sea mist or one of the caves that abound on that coast. It is a wild rugged part of the country, Melford. As I said, if it were merely smuggling I’d say be damned to them and leave it at that, but the smugglers are too clever for the Revenue and too many of our men have lost their lives to this already. It will not be easy for you to discover what is going on and get away with your life.’
‘Is the whole family involved—even the girl?’
‘I believe the ringleader is the eldest brother—Michael Morgan—but do not trust any of them or anyone else in the area you meet for that matter. They stick together in that part of the country, which is why we can never get close enough to catch them in the act.’
‘I shall do my best for you, sir. As you know, I have a small talent for sketching and I shall let it be known that I have come to draw and paint the charm of the Cornish coast.’
‘Charm?’ Lord Henry shook his head impatiently. ‘In my opinion ’tis a god-forsaken place, but I dare say the excuse will make a good cover for you. I wish you well, Melford. If you discover anything important, get word to me as soon as you can.’
‘I shall make arrangements for my men to travel independently and if there is anything to report one of them will bring word to you at once.’
‘Then all I can say is God keep and save you. His Majesty is in your debt, sir.’
‘I ask for no reward,’ Rupert replied and grinned, his blue eyes dancing with humour. ‘In truth the mission is reward in itself, for I was bored and restless.’
‘I heard that you lost the lady you were to wed. I am sorry for it, Rupert.’
‘The marriage was arranged when we were born,’ Rupert replied and a cloud passed across his face. ‘I loved my sweet Jane, but the fever claimed her before we could marry. I am sorry for it—and no doubt it is a part of the reason I felt I needed something more in my life. Had I not received your letter, I would have been on my way to France tomorrow to visit my cousins.’
His true reason lay deeper, but was not one he wished to discuss for it was a festering hurt that lay buried deep inside him; one he had tried many times to dismiss, but which returned to haunt him when he least expected it.
‘Then I was fortunate to find you in England. I shall bid you good day, sir—and good luck.’
Rupert nodded. He was thoughtful as he left Westminster Hall and began to make his way through the streets of London. His ship was provisioned and waiting for him. He would travel to his destination by way of the sea rather than on horseback. His trusted men could take the land route and establish themselves in the area quietly. If dealing with smugglers, it might be useful to have his own ship close at hand just in case.
For a moment he thought of Jane Follet, the young woman he had been betrothed to since they were both little more than children. As fond as he’d been of Jane, it had not been a raging passion. He had wanted to wed her, to give her the care he sensed she needed, because the children they would have might fill the emptiness inside him. Fate had decreed it was not to be and he had accepted it. He had promised he would marry a girl of good family for the sake of the family and in time he would keep his word, but as yet he had not been able to bring himself to offer for any of the young women brought to his attention.
An oath left his lips, for the matter was one that troubled him, though he tried to ignore it. He’d given his word and must keep it, because of that dark happening in his past. Not yet! He was not ready to take a wife. It was too soon after poor Jane’s death.
Rupert had his mistress, a feisty dark-haired wench he visited when the need took him. Since he would be away for some weeks, perhaps longer, he might call on Mollie and make certain she had enough money to tide her over until she could find a new protector—just in case he did not return.
Mollie was the only one who would miss him. The only one who would care—and perhaps she only cared because he kept her in luxury?
Was it possible to find love? To find someone who would make his heart sing and his body throb with needy passion? Mollie satisfied his basic needs, but not this inner loneliness. It was too strong a word and yet since he was a young boy and his elder brother had died there had been this empty place inside him.
He frowned. It was foolish to think of the past or of the aching regret that still lived with him day and night.
Rupert had work to do and he would do it well, even if it meant risking his life. After all, it hardly mattered if he lived or died.
