The Secret Christmas Ciphers by Carolynn Carey Page A

reputation would not be ruined. And had she lived, I know he would have kept his word to me and looked after her.”
    “I, too, was devastated when Melonnie died,” Derek interjected. “She was a wonderful woman, and she loved you very much. I shall never forget the degree of her grief when she was told you were dead.”
    Mr. Levenger ducked his head and blinked rapidly for several seconds. “She was the love of my life,” he murmured, “and I shall miss her until the day I die.”
    He looked up then and captured Abigail’s gaze. “I wanted you to know why Derek offered for Melonnie. I was aware that he loved you. He mentioned you frequently during our missions and worried constantly because he could not confide in you about our activities.”
    Derek nodded. “I feared you would not wait for me, especially after it became known that Melonnie and I were engaged to be married. But I could not reveal the true reasons for our proposed marriage and thus betray a friend I believed to have died.”
    “I understand that,” Abigail said, smiling for the first time since she’d entered the room. “I suppose that in the deepest part of my heart, I’ve known all along that you had a very good reason for what I saw as a betrayal or else I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you. Unfortunately, I was too stubborn to admit to my true feelings.”
    Their guest shifted in his chair, and Abigail realized that he must be extremely tired. “I hope, Mr. Levenger, that you will do us the honor of spending a few days with us. I’ve already requested that a chamber be prepared for you, and you’re welcome to rest for as long as you like.”
    He smiled. “I appreciate that, my lady, and I’ll avail myself of your offer. I feel as though I could sleep for a week.”
    “In that case, I’ll ask the housekeeper to show you upstairs and you shall rest as long as you wish. Later, if you feel up to it, you can join us for dinner.”
    Half an hour later, after making all necessary arrangements for the comfort of their guest, Abigail returned to the library. Derek sat behind the desk leaning over the last cipher. He looked up when she stepped into the room, then laid the cipher on top of the pile they’d already completed.
    “That’s the last one,” he announced. “Still nothing of any importance, but I suspect Father will be taking them to the city tomorrow in any case. I still have a few days before I’m expected back.” He stood and stepped around the desk, then gazed at Abigail with a question in his eyes.
    She walked to him, wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. “Can you ever forgive me,” she murmured into his waistcoat. Her voice was so muffled, she feared he couldn’t hear her, but he obviously did.
    “There’s nothing to forgive. I don’t blame you for doubting me. You had reason enough.”
    “Maybe, but it shouldn’t have required your expressing your feelings in a cipher for me to have faith in you. I knew in my heart all along that you had been faithful to me. I just wouldn’t admit it to either of us.”
    “That’s all in the past, my dear. We have each other now, and that’s what is important.”
    Abigail looked up, gazing into his eyes. “You’re right. But that cipher you sent me will always be among my most treasured possessions. I shall put it away in a very secure place, a place known only to the two of us. That way, I can take it out from time to time and read it, knowing that of all the people we’re ever likely to meet, only the two of us will be able to decode it.”
    “Our own secret cipher,” Derek said, his eyes twinkling.
    “I have an idea,” Abigail declared. A smile tugged at her lips.
    “And what might that be, my love?”
    “Every Christmas we should compose a cipher for each other. That way we can keep a record of our years together and an expression of our love for each other. I can secret them in my special hiding place. This exchange of ciphers