From the moment she walked inside Henry’s house, it was as if she was entering a mausoleum. Everything was gray and simple, so as not to be boastful unto the Lord, or so Henry claimed as he gave her a tour of the structure. Leah would never go so far as to call it a home.
They entered the parlor and Henry’s wife, Agnes, stood when they entered. She bowed her head to Henry and waited for him to make the introductions before she spoke. “It’s lovely to meet you at last, Miss Lindquist. I am sorry that you were not able to attend our wedding these three years past, nor been able to pay a visit until now.”
Leah decided it was pointless to say that she had not been invited to take part in the ceremony, nor had her brother written to her since. It was following the death of her aunt that he found it necessary to perform his duty and send for her. Before that time, Leah was quite sure that he would have happily removed her presence from his mind.
“Please, call me Leah,” was all she offered in return.
The woman nodded but retreated back into silence as Henry spoke. No doubt that was a common occurrence. Leah had always thought Henry was a scoundrel in sheep’s clothing. It was likely a blessing that they had yet to have any children, because she didn’t believe he would make a very caring father. She wondered if he was unkind to his wife, and considering the way Agnes maintained her humble demeanor, Leah believed that was true.
“Dinner is precisely at eight o’clock each evening. Breakfast is at seven each morning,” Henry announced, pacing about the floor with his hands clasped behind his back as if he were her father. But as a guardian, he had the same sort of power, regardless if she had reached her majority or not. She was still an unmarried relation beholded to his generosity. “Agnes has taken to a brisk walk every afternoon for her constitution and you may join her if you wish. Sunday services are strictly observed and other than illness which keeps you abed, it will be expected that you attend. You may use the library, but no fanciful novels will be tolerated. Books that will improve the mind and spirit are acceptable…”
He continued to rattle off what was expected of his household and Leah couldn’t resist looking at Agnes to gain her reaction, but she knew there would be no help from that quarter, as her sister-in-law had yet to glance up from the floor again. It was worse than Leah could have imagined. If this sort of existence was to be her fate, she prayed she would find a husband sooner rather than later. But then, if a husband was hand selected by her elder brother, no doubt her future would be rather bleak indeed.
Once his instruction had come to a halt, he said, “I will send for one of the maids to see you to your rooms.”
“Thank you, Henry.”
He cleared his throat and immediately admonished, “It would be best if you referred to me as Mr. Lindquist henceforth, sister. I am a faithful follower of Mr. Fordyce’s sermons. I aspire to be so revered, which is why I demand respect from, not just my followers, but those who would share the same roof as I.”
“Of course, Mr. Lindquist,” Leah said, although her teeth clenched as she uttered the words.
“Very good.” He inclined his head, and she was effortlessly dismissed.
As Leah was shown to her room, she expected to be led to the attics in some drafty, rat-infected room, but surprisingly enough, the bedchamber was humble, but comfortable. It was larger than the one at the cottage, but the nostalgia for her previous lodgings struck her hard. Once the maid departed and Leah was left alone, the tears finally started to seep from her eyelids.
Minutes later, they were silent sobs, hot tears sliding down her cheeks.
By the timeHarlan arrived in London, he was ready for clean clothing. He was also anxious to check into his lodgings there to see if Matthew had sent word about Leah. When he entered his bachelor quarters in Pall Mall, he sifted through the small pile of letters on his desk that his housekeeper had gathered for him when he was gone, Harlan was disheartened when the one he’d been hoping to find wasn’t there.
“Disappointed?” Hugh said from the doorway. Benjamin and Lucas had parted ways to stay at Mivart’s, but Hugh generally joined Harlan when they embarked on a journey to the city.
At the moment, Harlan was regretting that decision.
Feeling restless once again, he said, “If you will excuse me, I should make myself presentable before I call on Wellington to discuss our next course of action.”
“We will stand at the ready,” Hugh noted, as Harlan dismissed him and headed to his rooms.
Once he was alone, Harlan closed his eyes temporarily, and then crossed the room to his dressing table. As he looked at his reflection, he clenched his fists. If his mother was still alive, she would surely say that he looked a fright. And she would be correct.
In all of his years of service to the Crown, he had never felt so haggard or reluctant to finish a job. But neither was he tormented with leaving someone so special behind before. It bothered him that Matthew was taking his time writing to him when he’d made it abundantly clear that he wanted an update as soon as he could secure pen and paper. He prayed that something had not gone awry.
As he stripped his clothes and washed from the full pitcher of water and the bowl that had been left behind by the housekeeper, he would have to make sure to give Esther a raise. She was worth her weight in gold.
Once Harlan had donned fresh garments, he headed out the door and down the steps. His first stop was the personal home of Wellington, Apsley House, to whom he’d written before he’d left Gravesend.
When he arrived on the front step, Harlan was told he was expected, and he entered the parlor of the man from whom many would have loved to gain a coveted invitation. At least, those who believed that he was a war hero. He wasn’t always popular when it came to his political dealings, but Harlan had admired him for his decorated military service. Wellington’s strained relationship with his wife, Kitty, was another subject that had left a bitter taste in many a mouth for those who had admired his heroics during the war with Napoleon. But extramarital relations were common practice in the nobility, of which Harlan was aware and preferred not to judge anyone’s behavior in spite of it.
“Ah, Mathis.” The duke walked in with a grim expression, but a friendly welcome. “Normally I would say it was good to see you, but considering the circumstances that have brought us to this impasse, I have to wonder. Tell me everything.”
Harlan inclined his head out of respect to Arthur and as they sat down together for tea, he explained everything that had happened during his time in Gravesend.
“This is a very grave matter, indeed” Wellington agreed, as he nodded his graying head. “You were right to alert me at the earliest opportunity. We shall speak with the Home Office directly. You may ride with me in my carriage so there is no misconception that we are a united front.”
Harlan nodded. “I should appreciate that very much, Your Grace.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent speaking to those that held the true power behind the monarchy, from the Prime Minister and the cabinet, the threat for safety was discussed at length.
“We shall provide additional security for the queen and her household,” Lord Melbourne proclaimed. “We must also ensure that the papers do not discover the plot trying to unfold. With a new monarchy upon the throne, and those in favor of the King of Hanover, unrest will grow to unprecedented heights.”
