Harry.â
âNo, they wouldnât have. We worked for a small department in the Home Office.â
Anna glanced up. âYou said his ship went down. How do you know he died?â
It was killing Rutherford to tell her all this. âSweetheart, there were no survivors. No pieces of the ship found were larger than a plank. Harry was sailing from the tip of Brittany into Portsmouth.â
She swayed; Rutherford caught her. Her voice caught on a sob. âWashed into the ocean.â
âYes. We searched for days, for anything.â
âPlease, you have to tell Papa.â Anna turned and tugged on his coat. âHeâs planning to go to Town next week to try to find the truth.â
He nodded. âIâll talk to him. Anna, are you all right?â
She sniffed, fighting not to give in to the tears. âIâll be fine. It is onlyâI feel as if Iâve lost him all over again.â
Rutherford took his handkerchief out and blotted the corners of her eyes. âDo you want to go now or stay for a while longer?â
âWould you think me a coward if I wanted to put off going home?â
âNo. Weâll tell him when we return.â
Anna and Rutherford walked along the cliffs, the wind whipping their warm cloaks around them. He told her about Harryâs role during the war. When she asked about Rutherfordâs, the only thing he didnât tell her about was his current mission.
âI wish I would have known, Sebastian.â She stopped to face him. âIâm so very proud of you. You took such risks.â
âWith Mama, the girls, and my other responsibilitiesââhe pressed his lips togetherââit was the only way I could think of to serve and not be gone for months at a time.â
Anna was quiet for several minutes. âThat was important to you . . . serving?â
Rutherford glanced at her. âYes.â
Her gaze was intent, almost belligerent. âI think service is important as well.â
What did that look mean? He shrugged it off and urged her forward. âI didnât tell you. I ran across Marcus on occasion.â
âDid you? How interesting it must have all been.â
They strolled back to the horses and returned to Marsh Hill shortly before the noon meal.
âStay for luncheon please,â Anna said. âWe can talk to Papa after we eat.â
Another conversation Rutherford was not looking forward to. He nodded. âIf you wish.â
Anna smiled. âYes, and thank you. I feel as if I know my brother better. Why he did what he did.â
Rutherford wanted nothing more than to drag her into his arms and kiss away all her pain. Instead, he followed her into the house and into the family dining room.
âPapa, Iâve invited Rutherford to dine with us.â
Sir William smiled. âYou know youâre always welcome here.â
Rutherford bowed. âThank you, sir. Itâs a generous offer.â
He, Anna, and Lady Tully made small talk until theyâd finished eating. When Sir William stood to leave the room, Rutherford said, âSir, Iâd like to speak with you about Harry.â
Sir William stilled and glanced at Anna.
âPlease, Papa. Rutherford has some information I think youâll find interesting.â
âVery well. My study?â
âYes.â Rutherford glanced over at Lady Tully. âMy lady, if you wish to join us?â
She smiled. âThank you, but no. I think this is a time for the three of you. Iâll be here if there is anything you wish to discuss later.â
Rutherford followed Anna and her father into the study and closed the door. Sir William indicated a chair, and Rutherford sat after Anna had taken a place next to her father.
âSir William, I want to tell you that Iâm glad you know Harry didnât die at Badajoz. Though Iâm sorry to tell you, he did die, just much closer to home.â
They spent the
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