in espionage?”
Kirby gulped. “Yes, Your Grace. Lord Anthony spied for His Majesty. The traitors believed he worked for them, but I assure you, his loyalty to England never wavered.”
Drake considered the information. Truthfully, he couldn’t imagine Anthony being self-disciplined enough to make a successful spy. That his brother had chosen such a reviled occupation surprised him. Its need for secrecy conflicted with his brother’s demand for attention. “How long did he work in that capacity?”
“I don’t know, Your Grace, but I suspect for some time. From what I understand, the rebels thought highly of him, too.”
“The rebels,” Drake said scornfully.
“They’re tenacious and unpredictable,” the soldier added. “None is so bold as the Fox.”
Drake’s jaw worked as he struggled to conquer his temper. “So, the scum got away with murder and the reward. Very clever.”
“Aye, Your Grace. Your cousin, Captain Beaufort, thought you might prefer to keep this matter secret until the Fox is found and punished. Because of that, he dispatched me to deliver the news, rather than someone from Whitehall. I secured passage from Charles Towne the day after your brother’s shooting and arrived in London yesterday morn.”
Drake returned to his place behind the desk. “Who is leading the hunt for this Fox?”
“As far as I know, Captain Beaufort remains in charge. However, he did say he would post further information to Hawk Haven by way of special courier if any became available.”
The muted sound of rain outside filtered through the lead glass windows. Grim resolve filled Drake’s mind. No one could be allowed to kill an Amberly and escape unpunished. “Tell me everything you know about this rebel spy.”
Kirby tugged at his ear, and his brow pleated with concentration. “I don’t know much. No one does. The Fox is the most elusive spy in the Colonies, Your Grace. So little is known about the sly dog, stories boast he’s a phantom.”
Drake snorted in contempt. “Phantoms do not murder people.”
“No, of course not, Your Grace. In truth, the only certain information is the Fox resides in Charles Towne or the nearby environs. Most likely he’s a man of wealth, perhaps a planter.”
Frustrated, Drake rubbed his angular chin. His pain and fury grew with each tick of the clock. “There must be a suspect or two. Anthony must have known something of the person with whom he dealt. Why didn’t he tell Beaufort the traitor’s whereabouts, and simply have the man arrested?”
Kirby shook his head. “He couldn’t, not without compromising his position in the enemy spy ring.”
Drake had heard enough for one sitting. He stood, barely controlling the need to smash something. He snapped his fingers, and Chaney entered from where he’d been waiting in the hall. “That will be all, Lieutenant. My butler will show you to a room. Prepare for a possible journey. Should I hear no word from Beaufort by week’s end, you and I shall return to the Colonies to root out this slippery vermin ourselves.”
“Yes, Your Grace. With God’s help we’ll find him soon.” Kirby stood, clicked his heels and bowed as he backed out the door.
With God’s help, indeed.
Drake stared through the window at the mournful weather. In his youth, he’d trusted in God, but no longer. Years of grief and disappointment had hardened his heart until he’d been able to forget God as effectively as God had forgotten him. Now, there was no room in his life for forgiveness or faith. It was vengeance he needed to set things right.
His fingers drumming steadily on the desktop, his mind quickly formed a plan. He’d wait two days to hear from Beaufort. Then he’d hunt down the unsuspecting Fox. When he located him, and he had no doubt of his success, he’d make certain the fellow danced at the end of a noose posthaste.
Chapter Two
Charles Towne, South Carolina
July 1781
Elise patted her powdered wig into place, smoothed the green silk gown over her hips and took a deep, relaxing breath as she prepared to leave the safety of her bedchamber.
Dear Lord, You’ve promised You’ll never leave me. Please help me through tonight.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the dimly lit hall and closed the heavy door behind her. A moment later, Christian Sayer departed his own chamber two doors down. A handsome young man, Christian looked the picture of a wealthy planter’s son in a finely woven white shirt, honey-toned breeches and matching embroidered waistcoat. A well-cropped wig disguised his dark brown hair. His blue eyes sparkled with their usual mischief. Like her, he possessed unquestioning loyalty to the American cause, and worked under the directive of his father, spymaster Zechariah Sayer.
Christian greeted her with an appreciative glance and bowed gallantly. “You look sublime, dearest. That bright shade of green you’re wearing matches your eyes precisely.” He sighed as though put upon. “I can see tonight’s ball will offer me little enjoyment. I’ll be far too busy fending off the sea of gents bent on wooing you.”
Elise rolled her eyes and restrained her laughter. She wasn’t the plainest of women, but there was nothing spectacular about her brown hair, and her lips were too full for her oval face. Christian loved to tease. More oft than not, she was his favorite target. Other than her half sister, Princess, he was the only person she held dear. She loved him like a brother.
“I can take care of myself, thank you. If one of us must defend the other this night, it will be I protecting you. Alice Harris has marriage on her mind, or so I hear.”
“Alice Harris, you say? She’s fetching enough. Since you won’t have me, I suppose she’ll do. Tell me of her plans, will you? With a woman like Alice, I’ll need to be prepared.”
“What makes you think I know her full intentions? Alice and I are hardly confidants.”
Christian flashed a wicked grin. “I’m aware that you know everything, my dear Fox.”
Elise swatted him with her folded fan. “Shh, you silly dolt. Don’t bandy that name about. Do you wish to see me dangling from the nearest hangman’s tree?”
“Rest easy. There’s no one here. Do you think I’d be that foolhardy?”
“I suppose not, Wolf,” she agreed, using his own alias. “But we can’t be too careful. Charles Towne is crawling with redcoats. So many will be in attendance tonight, one would think King George himself planned to call.”
“Aye, you know father has little choice but to include them if he hopes to maintain control of Brixton Hall. Thank God they believe he’s a Loyalist or we’d all be out on our ear.”
Elise said nothing as they meandered toward the top of the stairs. What she wouldn’t do to be released and away from the Hall. But then where would Prin go? Surely the war would end soon, and she and her sister would be free. “There’s no doubt Zechariah is convincing in all that he does.”
“Do I detect a note of bitterness, Elise?”
“What
