Thomas glanced at Bridget, his expression softening.
“You had help. Just not from the ones you expected.”
Thomas exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “Did Alastair know the truth?”
“No, lad,” McConnell said. “He told us about his mission to find the books that his library once had. He told us about the Order, and we advised him—”
“To burn the blasted thing,” Huntington said. “It was only a few months ago that he told us he found the Ellington familyon the list. If I had known what he planned to do, I would have burned the book myself.”
A heavy silence settled over them.
Finally, Barrington cleared his throat. “The Order may be weakened, but they are far from finished.” He looked to Townsend, who nodded.
“I’ll take what we have to Whitehall,” Townsend confirmed. “The arrests will hold, but the network runs deeper than we can see.”
Marjory exhaled, rubbing her temples. “I just want the books out of my house. I don’t care if the room goes back to being empty.” She turned to the professor. “I’m certain you can find some that you would want. Professor, feel free to take what you like.”
Professor Tresham offered her a thoughtful look. “Lady Alastair, I’d be honored to take a few volumes.”
Marjory offered a small, genuine smile. “Then let’s see to that before you leave.”
The room lightened just a fraction. Miss Gray turned to Marjory. “You won’t be alone.”
Marjory’s smile was grateful. “Thank you. I received a message from our solicitor, Mr. Hughes, regarding the settlement of the estate. It will be lovely to have you both here.”
Simmons appeared at the doorway. “Breakfast is served, my lady.”
A sigh of relief rippled through the guests. The ordeal was over. As they rose to leave, Marjory linked arms with Tresham and led the way, calling over her shoulder, “The minister’s cat is an admirable cat.”
Tresham chuckled. “The minister’s cat is a benevolent cat.”
“The minister’s cat is a clever cat,” Miss Hathaway added.
Bridget caught Thomas’s eye as the game continued into the dining room. She lingered near the window for a moment beforehe stepped beside her, his voice low. “You still look as if you’re thinking too hard.”
She huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “Not thinking, realizing that some truths sneak up on you. And when they finally hit, they change everything.”
He lifted a brow, watching her closely. “And what revelation has you looking so serious?”
Bridget turned to him fully, her fingers tightening around his. “That I’ve spent so much time fighting what was inevitable.”
Thomas stilled, his gaze locked on hers. “And what do you see now?”
She exhaled, searching his face, seeing not just the man who had challenged her, stood beside her, and stolen her breath more times than she could count, but the man she could no longer picture a life without.
“That I don’t want to imagine a future without you.”
His fingers laced through hers, a slow smile touching his lips. “Then don’t.”
Bridget swallowed hard, her heart pounding against her ribs. There was no hesitation left, no doubt, only the truth of what she wanted. What she had always wanted.
“Thomas…” She drew a breath, steady and sure. “Will you marry me?”
His breath hitched, his grip tightening before a quiet chuckle rumbled from his chest. “I was going to ask you.”
She arched a brow, smirking. “Too slow, Captain.”
He laughed, shaking his head as he pulled her into his arms. “Then I suppose I’ll just have to say yes.”
