“Are we still confident it is someone from the continent?” Lucas asked.
“Indeed,” Harlan concurred. “The disgruntled soldiers from the Crimean battles have become increasingly vocal about the conditions in which they suffered at the hands of the king, but now that William’s niece has taken up the position of power, they are not likely to forgive past transgressions. With the growing concern of commerce and poor living conditions in London, it is no doubt that we must be on our continual guard. That is why we are watching the roads so closely. Until we learn the identity of the individuals involved in the conspiracy to overthrow the government, we must remain vigilant.”
Hugh stepped forward. Although he still wore his mask, his eyes narrowed with determination. He put a fist over his heart. “You have my loyalty, as does the queen.”
Each man, in turn, stepped forward and pledged the same. Harlan inclined his head and put his fist over his heart. While he offered the same vow to them, it was altered slightly. “I pledge my life and all my worldly goods to the faithful men in this room. I will not forget your continued loyalty, and you can be assured that the Crown will recognize it as well.”
Chapter 2
Leah slowly allowed consciousness to intrude. That was, until she recalled a very important fact that sent her sitting upright instantly.
She moaned as she put a hand to her head. She could feel a slight lump, but it didn’t hurt nearly as badly as before. Not only that, but her focus was sharper, her vision clearer. Before, it had seemed as if she’d been in a sort of fog, speaking through a tunnel to the man in the mask.
The ratherintriguingand mysterious man in the mask…
His deep voice reverberated through her mind and she blinked at the intoxicating way it had slipped into her memory. She must have hit her head harder than she’d imagined, because such thoughts were quite unwanted. Weren’t they?
She shook her head and set her legs over the side of the bed. She might have been concerned that she’d woken up in a strange bed with no recollection of how she’d gotten there if it hadn’t been for the fact that she was still fully clothed in her layers of petticoats and deep blue skirts.
She got to her feet and after testing to ensure that her legs were still in full working order, she gathered her courage and decided to find out where she’d been taken. She had no idea how long she’d been unconscious, but seeing the light streaming through the windows, she had to wonder.
Leah walked over to the door and wasn’t surprised to find that it was locked. Disgruntled, she should have known it wouldn’t have been so easy. If only she had a hair pin left to her name, but most of those had fallen out somewhere along the way.
She glanced about the room and smiled when she spied a letter opener on a small desk. Obviously, the men who had absconded with her didn’t think that a woman knew how to pick a lock properly, but having grown up with a father who had enjoyed traveling, she had been exposed to any number of talents at a young age.
Thankfully, the letter opener was just small enough to slide through the keyhole. After a bit of maneuvering, she was able to hear the satisfying click of the latch being released. Smiling broadly, she decided to keep the makeshift weapon. It wouldn’t do much more than wound an adversary, but it would distract someone long enough to release her.
Slowly opening the door, she heard the sound of mumbled masculine voices coming from down the slight hallway. It was just enough that she couldn’t make out what was being said. Leah was thankful that they appeared to be in a discussion that gave her time to inspect the rest of her surroundings, which wasn’t much at all. It appeared to be a modest dwelling with very few rooms, but there was a backdoor that was conveniently located at the opposite end of the hall.
She immediately got to work on that lock, hearing the satisfying click when it released. But when she would have reached out and grasped a taste of freedom, a firm, familiar voice behind her said, “Where are you planning to go, Miss Lindquist?”
Startled, Leah spun around and put the letter opener behind her back. Her eyes widened slightly, because she not only faced one man, butfiveof them. All wearing masks and all looking terribly forbidding as they stood there and waited for her reply.
Attempting to use some charm, she smiled brightly and batted her lashes. “Out for a stroll?” she suggested.
One of the men chuckled, but when the leader shot him a look he quieted instantly. Turning back to her, the man she’d shared a carriage ride with strolled forward slowly. When he was still a short distance away, he held out his hand. “The weapon you have secured. Hand it to me.Slowly.”
Leah gritted her teeth but brought her arms to her sides. She took a step forward and offered the letter opener to him with a slight smirk. “Your wish is my command.”
He took the item and handed it to one of the men behind him. When he regarded her once more, she couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking. He seemed to be pondering the same question when he asked, “How are you feeling?”
She wanted to offer another mocking retort, but she decided it was a sincere enough question. “Well enough.”
“Good. Then you won’t mind if I have a few chores for you to attend to while you’re here.”
He turned on his heel and she gaped at his retreating back. “Excuse me, but I am not planning to stay—”
He paused and half turned to glance at her. “You told me that you didn’t have anywhere pressing to be, and I could use a woman’s touch around here. Tell me, do you like to cook?”
Harlan could almost seethe smoke rolling out of her ears. Her fists clenched and her brilliant amber eyes sparked with vengeance. He knew he was courting danger by allowing her to remain, but he certainly couldn’t let her go now, not when she could be working for the rebellion.
He had no doubt that Hugh had locked her inside that chamber, and yet, she’d managed to find a way out quite effortlessly. The same could be said for the door through which she had nearly escaped before he’d caught her. For someone who was capable of such talents, it made her an intriguing suspect.
The men parted as she stalked after Harlan to the small kitchen area off of the parlor. Harlan had the feeling they were enjoying the entertainment he was providing for them. No doubt she was about to set him straight about her role in his house. “Pardon me, sir, but I will be doing no cooking, cleaning, or…whateverelse you might believe me to excel. I am a gently bred lady and I refuse to cater to such ruffians!”
He stopped and faced her once more but addressed his men. “We shall reconvene at a later time, gentlemen.”
With a bit of a grumble that they wouldn’t be there to observe the exchange, they filed out the door one by one. Hugh was the last to leave, and he offered a slight smirk upon his departure.
