Peregrine's Prize Read Free Page A

Harold was au fait with the usage of the cottage, it seemed
a certainty so were the rest of his siblings. Harry wasn't known for his common
sense in keeping quiet about things that didn't matter to him personally. Thinking
about Harry and Martin led to him pondering about Andre and his culinary
delights—or lack of them. Was it worth an upset stomach to go via Rutland as he
traveled north? Peregrine dismissed the thought as unworthy. He wanted to see Maggie,
who now resided as safe as possible in the guise of housekeeper, as well as his
brother and wife. Surely everything had been smoothed over, and the food edible
once more? If not he remembered the local inn did a fine line in Sirloins and
Pigeon pies.
    Deep in thought, Perry shuddered as he remembered
how they almost lost Harry and his lover to the traitor. Martin saw the gesture
and raised one sculpted eyebrow.
    "Harry and that traitor Gravesend's
cronies," Perry said. "You'd think now they declared him dead, things
would settle down. Sadly, no such thing. I still have nightmares about what
could have been. By all accounts, according to Harry, a woman helped to ambush
him and Martin. One that Harry says with his understanding of dialects, is from
Derbyshire."
    "I remember, do you agree?"
    Peregrine laughed. "I know better than to
contradict him. He is rarely wrong. Then when Felicity recognized Mortimer
Gravesend's widow as the woman, and confirmed Gussie Gravesend indeed hails
from Derbyshire I thought things might sort themselves out. However the Widow
Gravesend seemed to have gone into hiding, and no one can find a hint to her
whereabouts. The late but not lamented Gravesend hailed from Yorkshire, so
there is another reason to visit Marsh Hall. I may get some clues to her
whichever hole she is occupying." He didn't hold out any hope of finding
Gussie, but perhaps someone would know something of her situation. Not only
that, Perry had high hopes that he may find out who the man's cronies were.
    "Then I'll make arrangements for you,"
Martin said and left the room. "By the way, we still have no further
notice of who sent the letters that threatened you and your…" He hesitated.
"The other person." Why in the confines of the study Martin felt he
needed to be so circumspect Peregrine wasn’t sure, but as the saying walls have
ears was one oft repeated in the Home Office, Perry couldn't fault the man's
care. Nor for the first time he thanked the urge he gave into. To confide in
Martin when the worrying epistle arrived. Short and stark it said only five
words. 'You, her, the cottage, beware'.
    Perry nodded his thanks because he knew Martin would
check that all was as well organized and as safe as possible. Now, with Harry
and Martin in Scotland the immediate threat to them disappeared; nevertheless it
wasn't over. Not until they caught the ringleader.
    If a visit to Marsh Hall
helps in that quest, it will be a worthy visit, especially if I can combine it
with a chance to break my self-inflicted dry spell. Perry vowed he would remain celibate,
until he lived with Maggie again. Just the thought of her made his cock perk up
and his body tingle. He could only hope he wouldn't go off prematurely when he
finally feasted on her body. The thought spurred him on.
    ****
    However even as he set his horse toward the Great North
Road, he still discerned a niggle of doubt in his mind. In theory everything
appeared well. Harry and Martin had been sent to Scotland for their safety, and
Perry himself thought closer the unmasking of the mastermind who sold secrets
to the French than ever before. So why did he have an uncomfortable itch
between his shoulder blades? In his job he learned never to ignore that itch.
    "Dye?" he turned to the man who rode
alongside him. "I have the itch."
      Dye's eyes
widened. Perry knew Dye believed in things like 'the itch' could, and had saved
many a life. "You want me to scout?"
    "I think we both keep our eyes and ears open.
There is no reason to believe