Hesitation laced my voice. “In my bedchamber? For what purpose, my lord?”
He gave a lighthearted shrug and stood to cross the room, speaking over his shoulder when he reached the fireplace. “Rest assured, I did all I could at the outset, demanding two rooms from the proprietor of this backwater establishment, but there was just the one available. And since he thought we, uh . . .” He propped his arm on the mantel, a nervous laugh hovering on his breath. “Regardless, it was imperative that I speak to you alone.”
Alone. Only one room available? The thought sent a fresh wave of nerves tingling across my shoulders. “Then, by all means, speak at once. I’ve never had the patience for pleasantries or the least qualms about screaming for rescue, if need be.”
He turned, a hint of amusement about his eyes. “Touché.” His smile faded. “I’m afraid there is much you must be made aware of, and hastily at that. You are Miss Cantrell, are you not?”
A faint tremor accompanied my answer. “Well . . . yes.” He knew me. From his brother? There was a moment of strained silence. “And you, I am well aware, are Lord Torrington.”
He tapped his fingers on the mantel. “It appears my instincts proved correct. I had a feeling you recognized me in the coach.” The flame from the fire dipped, and he moved to rub his forehead. Tiredness lay beyond his practiced façade. “Though you and I have never been introduced, I am well acquainted with a few members of your family: Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair.”
I paused, my heart drumming in anticipation, certain he would add that his brother was once in love with me, but he didn’t acknowledge the connection. Perhaps Brook had faithfully kept the secret he thought so necessary at the time. Of course, such a strict confidence had benefited him and only hurt me. Isaac’s bright smile and curly head came to mind—so like his odious father.
The hurtful memories tainted my voice. “When can I see my son?”
“I suggest for now you focus on your recovery and—”
“I do thank you for your concern.” I gave him a pert smile. “However, I shall do no such thing. I expect Isaac to be brought to me as soon as can be arranged.”
Torrington covered a smug grin with his hand. “As you say, my lady. I’ll be sure you see him first thing in the morning. But at this very moment, it is urgent we decide between the two of us what is to be done.”
“We? I assure you, my business is none of your affair.” The last thing I wanted was further connection to Brook’s family, particularly with the highwayman who had run my carriage from the road. “As soon as I am recovered, I shall continue on to Dover and assume my position as housekeeper. I will not permit you to feel responsible for me in any way.”
Torrington made his way to the bedside. “If only it were that simple.”
Clearly the man was accustomed to barking orders and having them performed immediately. By the look in his eye, he had a plan, and considering his presence in my room, it must involve me. A chill swept over me, but I shook it off, adding hurriedly, “Allow me to remind you, this is not a game. I am not some chess piece to be moved at will, my lord.”
He plunged his fingers into his hair, which drew my attention to a small patch of gray residing just above his forehead. “I do apologize if I gave you that impression. I have never been one for tact. In fact, I have spent the last hour or more calculating the best way to tell you what has transpired since the crash. I don’t wish to upset you, however—”
“It is a bit late for that. Be assured, you have upset absolutely everything—my plans, my future.” I sighed. “Simply give me the whole of it, if you please.”
He slumped into the chair beside the bed, his words achingly slow to come. “You have already made the connection that I was posing as a highwayman when the accident occurred.”
“How could I not? You pointed a pistol at me through the window. Did you think I could forget such a thing? And my coachman, dare I ask how he fares?”
Torrington ran his hand down his face as I’d seen my brother, Lucius, do a thousand times when his back was against a wall. “He has a few broken bones, but the doctor assures me he will heal. I’ve paid the staff to see to anything he needs.”
Torrington waited for me to fully digest what he’d said, the shadow of pain evident in his eyes. “Is he a friend of yours?”
“No, although he was quite close with my brother, Lucius, at one time.”
The muscles in Torrington’s jaw clenched, and he shook his head. “As I said before, the whole blasted robbery was a mistake. Listen—” He lifted his finger to point at me, then crushed it into a fist and pressed it against his chin. “I can see you have no intention of making this easy—gawking at me like that.” He took a long breath. “And you had to be Curtis Sinclair’s cousin-in-law. Convenient.” He tapped his fingers on the bed first one direction then the next. “I do realize you deserve more than a well-constructed lie, yet . . . Tell me, has Mr. Sinclair ever mentioned me before?”
“Mentioned you? Good gracious no. Why should he?” The words were out rather quickly, but as I met Torrington’s sharp gaze, my thoughts took a wild turn, back to a year and a half before when Curtis spent time as a British spy. He’d posed as a highwayman to gather information. Could Torrington be involved in something similar? Brook had never revealed anything of the sort.
Torrington dipped his head, watching me with a keen eye for several seconds, then smiled impulsively. He knew I knew.
If only I wasn’t such a terrible liar, I might try to deny what was probably written across my face. My shoulders slumped. “You worked with Curtis?”
A slow nod. “You could say that.”
I narrowed my eyes and took the bait. “For the crown?”
Torrington paused to appraise the coverlet, then abruptly looked up. “You must realize it goes against my very nature to discuss something I have kept well-hidden for nearly fifteen years.”
I didn’t move.
“On the other hand, if Curtis saw fit to entrust you with his own secret, and considering our situation, I believe I have little choice but to do so as well.” Something shifted in his countenance. Concern? Confidence? It was hard to read Torrington’s slight emotions in the candlelight. His voice, though, took a dangerous dip as he gripped my hand. “What I am about to say must be kept in the strictest confidence.”
I met his steady glare. “You have my silence. Go on.”
“At present and in secret, I work as an agent for the British government.” His eyes flashed. “Moreover, I’m a spy.”
An odd mix of emotions struck me as I processed his confession. Half shock, half interest. I’d always thought of Curtis as selfless and good. How on earth had Brook’s scandalous elder brother become involved in such a noble endeavor?
Torrington glanced down at his hands as he folded them on the bed, his voice low but rushed. “I was sent by a secret division of the government called the special office to rob your coach. You see, the authorities in Dover uncovered information that a document was being moved across England in a carriage matching your coach’s description. I was told this missive, whatever it may be, is of vital importance to the war effort.” He steadied his gaze. “I’ve single-handedly put Wellington in a difficult position after I held up what I can only deduce was the wrong coach.”