Page 147

“I am afraid that would be unwise.”

Judith lifted her chin. “You have been sending military information through a channel occasioned by the jewellery repairs.”

Lady Dunsmore regarded her with an expression almost approaching approval. “Well done. You have worked out the line.”

“You also employed Mallory.”

“An ambitious fool who believed himself clever enough to serve the government without informing his master. Such men are remarkably easy to persuade.”

“You intended to implicate me.”

“I intended to ensure that the gentlemen investigating this affair possessed someone else to examine.”

“My letters concerned poverty and the treatment of working families. They contained nothing treasonous.”

“Truth is not always the deciding consideration when reputations are at stake.”

Judith stared at her. “How could you?”

Lady Dunsmore’s expression hardened. “You speak as though loyalty were a simple matter, Judith. You have lived a sheltered life beneath your uncle’s protection. You have never watched the government destroy someone you loved while gentlemen of consequence congratulated themselves upon preserving order.”

Judith said nothing.

“My son believed that ordinary people deserved a voice,” Lady Dunsmore continued. “He believed that men who had served their country ought not to return home to starvation while their betters debated whether their suffering was sufficiently respectable to merit attention.”

“What happened to him?”

“He spoke too freely. He associated with the wrong men. When the authorities required an example, gentlemen who had once praised his service were suddenly unable to remember his name.” Her eyes glittered. “Your uncle was among those who gave evidence against him.”

Judith felt the accusation like a blow. “Sir Lionel condemned your son?”

“He believed he was doing his duty.” Lady Dunsmore gave a bitter laugh. “Duty is a convenient word. It allows a gentleman to injure another man without troubling his conscience.”

“What became of your son?”

“He died after his confinement. His health had been ruined, and no one considered the matter worthy of further enquiry.”

Judith’s anger softened into pity. “You have my sympathy.”

“Do not offer me sympathy.”

“I can regret the loss of your son without approving your actions.”

Lady Dunsmore’s expression changed. For a moment, Judith thought she might strike her. Instead, the older woman smiled coldly. “You sound very certain of your principles, Judith.”

“I am certain that innocent people should not suffer for the crimes of others.”

“Then you are fortunate to have discovered that conviction before the world has given you reason to abandon it.”

Judith glanced again towards the door. “I shall tell Major Baines everything.”

“I have no doubt you intend to.” Lady Dunsmore stepped aside.

Judith hesitated. “Then you will permit me to leave?”

“Certainly.”

The answer was so unexpected that Judith distrusted it at once. Nevertheless, the doorway stood open, and Lady Dunsmore had moved sufficiently far aside to allow her passage.