The Earl of Morrey (The League of Rogues #13) - Lauren Smith Page 0,48

of the Thames.

“Adam,” the figure gasped. “Adam, wake up . . .”

Adam stirred, fighting the lethargy of sleep. The figure reached cold, wet hands toward him.

“You must wake. He is coming for you.”

At last Adam surged up, gasping. “John?” But all signs of the ghostly presence were gone.

He steadied his racing heart and covered his face with his hands. Then he looked down at Letty, who lay beside him. She had halfburied her face in the pillow, her dark hair billowing out around her. She was still fast asleep, undisturbed by him and the ghost from his past.

He stared at the dark corner of the room where he had imagined the figure of John Wilhelm.

“He is coming for you,” John had said.

Adam wondered who his friend had been trying to warn him about. Who was dangerous enough to bring his friend from beyond the graveto deliver a warning?

10

Letty was finishing up her breakfast with Adam and Caroline when Mr. Sturges entered the dining room, a silver tray in one hand. He came over to Adam and held it out. There was a letter on top.

“What’s this?” Adam asked.

“It just arrived by royal messenger.” Mr. Sturges’s reply held a hint of concern.

“Royal messenger?” Letty echoed.

“Yes, your ladyship.”

“Thank you, Sturges.” Adam took the letter from the tray, and Letty noted the royal seal upon it.

Adam used his knife to cut the wax from the paper and unfolded the letter and read it silently. Letty exchanged a glance with Caroline, asking her without words if she knew what it was about. Caroline shook her head.

“It’s from His Majesty. He is summoning me back to London. Well, both of us.” He looked toward Letty.

“The king? Why?” Letty couldn’t even begin to imagine why the king would wish to see her.

“It seems that he desires to meet you and is curious about the woman I chose for a bride on such short notice.”

“You are on favorable terms with the king?” Letty knew that most of the influential aristocrats met the royal family from time to time, but a personal invitation was still quite extraordinary. She’d had her debut a few years ago, but he wouldn’t have remembered her from that night, not when it had been filled with dozens of other young women.

“Well, there is a story behind that—one I should tell you once we’re on our way to London. We must leave immediately. He wishes to see us this evening for dinner.” Adam cast her a smile, but she saw his thoughts were already distracted, possibly wondering if there was a significant urgency to the king’s invitation.

“Tonight?” Caroline gasped. “Letty, we must pack your things at once and see if you have a decent court gown.”

“I don’t believe I have anything suitable,” Letty fretted. A court gown was far more splendid than one’s normal evening gowns.

“What about the one you wore the night of Lady Allerton’s ball?” Adam asked. “Is that suitable?”

Caroline sighed. “Adam, that gown wouldn’t do as a court gown. Letty, you and I are close in size—you shall take one of mine.” Caroline rose from the table and the two ladies went to Caroline’s bedchamber. “This one should do well.” Caroline opened the tall armoire. She removed a gown and laid it out upon the bed for Letty to see. The crème satin creation was a vision, dusted with pearls like drops of moonlight.

“What do you think? I have not yet worn it, so it will not have been seen by anyone you meet.”

“It’s stunning! Oh, Caroline, do you mind? I don’t want to take such a gown from you.”

Caroline waved a hand. “It’s yours. I do not believe I will be attending court anytime soon. Now, let’s have Mina come and pack it up.”

Within the hour, Letty and Adam were bundled up in their traveling coach and heading for London.

“Now, will you tell me why the king summoned you?” Letty was seated across from him—not because she didn’t wish to sit beside him, but because it was easier to converse with him this way. Adam removed his gloves and toyed with them in his lap.

“I was stationed in Brighton a year ago. The king was at the Royal Pavilion. There were rumors of Napoleon escaping from Elba, and we were all on edge. None of us knew then that he would be dead in just a few weeks. There was an attempt made on the king’s life. I did my duty.” He touched his ribs on the left side. “I