Page 138 of A Perilous Passion

“They changed their name,” said Triggs, warming to his subject. “And moved out of Essex before the authorities—or the free trading gang—could catch them.”

He stared at Triggs in disbelief.

Charlotte? A fugitive from justice? Mrs. Allston, a smuggler’s wife?

Impossible.

“What is the source of your information?” he asked coldly.

“My own eyes, sir. I’m Essex born and bred. I clapped eyes on Cutler and his family about two years ago. That was before he fell ill. Word was, there was a pardon in the offing if he turned King’s Evidence, but he was killed before it could happen. He died a wanted felon.”

If this was true, Charlotte couldn’t have known. She must have been away at school, or living in a separate establishment. Cutler’s name was notorious among the magistrates. He’d been slippery as an eel, always avoiding getting caught, never any firm evidence against him.

No, there had to be some mistake. Charlotte and her mother—and her aunt—were gentlewomen. Mrs. Allston was so self-righteous, she would never have had anything to do with a smuggler, not even a wealthy, successful one, he was certain.

Unless… Unless Cutler had been a gentleman when he married her and turned to free trading later in life.

A dark mood descended over Rafe as a thought struck him. This would certainly explain Charlotte’s sympathy toward smugglers.

Had she known about her father’s activities, after all? Mayhap even helped him?

The notion had his head spinning.

Damnation! How much had he told her about his mission? Too much, by far. He’d violated the first rule of espionage—tell no one of your mission. And this was the result.

He was a complete fool.

Bile welled up in his mouth. If all this was true, he’d just landed himself neck-deep in dung.

But before he went off half-cocked and overreacted, he’d better make some enquiries first. Just to be sure of his facts.

“Thank you for the warning, Triggs,” he said, and took his leave.

He must return to Dovehouse with all speed to salvage what he could of his mission, before Miss Allston had a chance to ruin everything.

“I curse the day I met you, Charlotte Allston!” he growled as he marched off at a bruising pace.

A gulf of black despair threatened to consume him. Once again, he risked losing his career and becoming a laughingstock.

Well, that would be the very last time any such fate befell him.

From now on, he’d trust no one.

No one.

Chapter Sixteen

“What’s happened to your appetite, girl?” Mama asked the next morning.

Charlotte pushed a piece of cold tongue around her plate. “I’m not hungry. I must have overeaten last night.”

“Nonsense. A lady never overeats.”

Since when had she been a lady? She was the daughter of a criminal. She’d dearly loved her father, but facts were facts.

And last night, she’d shown herself as feckless as her father. She’d allowed Rafe to half undress her and feast his lips on her bare flesh…and try as she might, she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.

It had all felt…incredible.