Beyond a Doubt by Felicia Rogers

Author:Felicia Rogers [Rogers, Felicia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Astraea Press LLC
Published: 2013-05-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Hours later, after Winnie and Winifred’s departure, Bryce continued to process all the startling information. Lucy Bard was really Lucille Lombard. In one afternoon she had gone from unlikely socialite to spy.

From what he gathered, her father Louis had been the original spy, and this had gotten him killed. His dying wish had been for Lucy to deliver one important message. But once involved, Lucy had felt obligated to continue. The cause needed her.

Besides, the acts required of her were quite simple. She visited well-to-do Scottish families. Because of King Henry II of France’s ties with Scotland through the young Mary, only child of James V, word often seeped over borders and across the lips of Scottish nobles. When the ale flowed, so did the words of conspiracy.

The coded messages were placed on common objects which Lucy carried from Scotland to England upon her person. The simple process had held little to no complications until now.

“What about yer companion?” Bryce asked.

When they had first met, Lucy had spoken of a traveling companion who’d stolen her goods. With all the lies told, Bryce couldn’t help but wonder if this had been a fabrication as well.

“Ah, Charles, the shyster. He offered to ride along with me for company, but at the first opportunity he left with my trunk. Took everything I owned in one fell swoop. Mostly he took my clothing. He took nothing that would lead anyone to believe I was anything other than a lady on holiday.”

“Was he searching for the message?”

“I don’t know. It is possible. However, I don’t know how he could have guessed my identity. I assure you, I practice the utmost discretion. No one has ever looked at me in suspicion. Trust me when I say I have seen others under a certain scrutiny which I assure you I have yet to suffer.”

Bryce would never forget her face, so he found it hard to believe that others could. Perhaps Charles had been watching her for some time and she was unaware. If she was always at certain places, it would be fairly easy to realize her involvement. If plots continued to be thwarted after her visits to Scotland, wouldn’t someone begin to suspect her?

“Nevertheless, you do see my predicament.”

Bryce nodded.

“Do you have any suggestions?”

The expectant look on her face urged him to please her. He paced the living area. The study had recently been abandoned for more comfortable quarters. Thoughts flew through his mind. “We might need to search the rest of the house, or—“ he interrupted himself, tapping his finger to his forehead.

“What are you thinking?” she asked, her eyes widening.

“Ye said ye have an itinerary for a full week?”

“Aye, I do.”

“Ye can’t be the only one. If ye follow the rest of Joshua’s schedule, maybe ye will run into his replacement.”

Lucy lunged from her position. She placed her hands on either side of his face as she leaned up and kissed him. “Sheer genius! Why didn’t I think of this?”

Bryce felt heat rush to his cheeks.

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