Hugh’s last mission went horribly wrong, when he took the French patrol for his cousin’s men. By the time he realized his mistake, he was within shooting distance. They pursued him for miles, managing to put several bullets into his back, side and thigh. Hugh’s horse stumbled back into camp, bearing the unconscious Hugh on its back, thankfully in time to save him. Hugh was decorated for his bravery and sent home to recover once he was well enough to travel. He had enough money saved to restore the estate and get on with his life, his days of fighting and espionage forever behind him. That was until Rachel showed up. Rachel had profited handsomely from their arrangement, and ultimately had as much to lose as Hugh. It would be much easier to accuse a whore of espionage than to make allegations against a decorated war hero. He relied on her discretion and left her with a quick farewell. Their business was finished. Or so he thought. Rachel showed up in Newcastle two months after his return from the Continent, ready to start the next phase of her life, and Hugh was instrumental in getting her new business off the ground. She wanted him to help her find premises in a respectable neighborhood, and complete all the arrangements on her behalf, legitimizing the transaction. None of her wealthy neighbors would suspect that there was a brothel right down the street. Hugh was to help her procure a couple of thugs to “protect”
