Percy retrieved his satchel, threw it over one shoulder, and extended his hand to Heather. “Are you ready to return home?”
She winked, accepting his proffered hand. “Aye, Captain.”
EPILOGUE
Afortnight later
“Thank you, Bernard.”Heather smiled to their butler as she and Percy strode from their house in town and onto the sidewalk.
“A pleasure, of course, Mrs. Baxter.” He sketched a bow, still holding the door open with one hand. “Mr. Baxter.”
A thrill of pleasure at hearing her married name raced up Heather’s spine. They’d been married only five days, but she would surely never tire of it.
Percy tipped his hat with a grin and offered his elbow to Heather as they fell into step.
Heat from the sun warmed her through her smart green walking dress. The bodice was modest, and the sleeves cut at the elbow, despite the warmth of the midsummer morning. Percy had commissioned it—and numerous others—from Maria’s brother Thomas upon their return to England. Thomas was their office’s costume designer and creator, and he was markedly talented in his craft.
Carriages rolled by, led by trotting horses and driven by yawning men. They lived on a busy lane—that grew busier as the morning went on—but the convenient walk to the Bow Street offices was not to be outdone.
“Are you looking forward to returning to work after so long?” Percy asked.
Heather smiled up at him, and her stomach swooped happily. He was incredibly handsome in his tailored fawn coat and breeches, a brown striped waistcoat that matched the precise shade of his eyes, a white shirt and cravat, and shining black Hessians.
“I am, indeed,” she returned. “I’m given to understand that three more recruits have joined our ranks and require training.”
His lips quirked. “So I’ve heard.”
Anticipation bubbled beneath her skin. “I can scarcely wait to make their acquaintance. Grace has informed me that the women approachedher, seeking employment.” Heather bounced on her toes. “Word of our runner offices must have reached a great many people. I daresay we shall have an abundance of clients.”
“I imagine we shall, love.”
She beamed at him as they rounded the corner onto Bow Street.
Her pirate cut so fine a figure in his new attire that she struggled to look away from him. After they’d returned to England, Heather had fretted that he might miss his life at sea, but she’d come to learn that while he had once valued his friendships with those men, the thought of being pulled back into the life wrought fear in him.
She squeezed his arm affectionately as they approached the door to the offices. It swung open to reveal Miss Grace Huntsbury, the woman who had founded their group of runners.
“Heather! Percy!” A dimple appeared on one of her cheeks. “Please come in. I had cook prepare the morning meal for us all in the dining room.”
Heather leaned in to buss Grace’s cheek. “How kind of you, dear.”
They placed their hats on nearby hooks and preceded Grace past their parlour-turned-offices and through to the dining room. There sat Juliana and Leonard Notley, the Marchioness and Marquess of Livingston, Maria and Jasper Sinclair, the Duchess and Duke of Derby, Mr. Thomas Roberts—Maria’s brother—and three beautiful, buxom women whom Heather didn’t know.
Her friends swept forward in greeting, offering congratulations and warm embraces.
Heather’s eyes stung, but she blinked the tears away. While she’d seen her friends at her wedding, they’d not had the opportunity to speak in depth. Now she wanted most fervently to speak with them, to discuss the past months and inquire about their lives. But they had new recruits in the room, and she didn’t wish to be rude.
“My apologies,” Heather said as she turned to the new women. “My name is Mrs. Heather Baxter, and this is my husband, Mr. Percy Baxter. Percy teaches combat in the rooms belowstairs, and I am a runner—like you.”
“She is also soon to be to be our in-office apothecary,” Grace announced with pride.
Heather’s chest warmed. Indeed, she’d already begun to gather the necessary items to begin the new practice, and to populate the remarkable greenhouse that Percy had insisted he install in their new home. Her heart veritably bubbled over.
A woman with bright copper curls, pale skin, and brown eyes dipped in a shallow curtsey. “I am Mrs. Sophia Perry.”
Heather opened her mouth to speak, but the next woman stepped forward and curtseyed as well. She had light blonde hair, a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose, and brilliant blue eyes.
“My name is Miss Phoebe Arnold.”
