Harlan chose to ignore him as he went to gather a few things. When he returned, he asked Matthew, “I assume you came here by coach?”
He inclined his head. “Naturally.”
Before Harlan left, he turned back to Hugh. “Although I trust Leah’s intuition, it could be wrong.”
Hugh shook his head. “Miss Lindquist is as intelligent as she is beautiful. I believe she has the right of it and Mr. Bernard is the man we are looking for.” As Harlan started to go, he added, “You would do well not to let Leah out of your sight again.”
Harlan’s jaw clenched as he grasped the edge of the door. “I don’t intend to. So long as she will have me.”
It had beentwo days since Leah had written to Matthew, and she was starting to wonder if Harlan considered her missive as nothing more than a request for help to flee a discordant situation. She truly wouldn’t have wasted his time if she thought Mr. Bernard didn’t bear a closer inspection.
Francis had come to call each day, staying for tea the first time and then later for supper the second. Each time Leah set eyes on him, she became more convinced that he was there with malicious intent. Perhaps against her. If he knew of her tie to Harlan, then he would certainly find her of particular note. It could be that he was counting on Harlan to ride to her rescue, where he could finish the job he’d started the night Harlan had been injured. She had heard the assassin was well informed. He probably had spies all over Britain to assist him. As Harlan said, it wasn’t a spontaneous murder that was about to take place, but a methodical planning process that had been going on for months.
Leah slid her spoon around in her soup as her mind wandered. It wouldn’t be the first time a female monarch was resisted by the public, but Mary Tudor had changed that view rather quickly when she assumed the throne as the first queen. Her predecessors had offered much improvement and revitalization. The main impediment that Victoria faced was her age and because republicanism was gaining more popularity than the monarchy. Until she married and bore an heir, her position was quite precarious. Any possibility of revolt had to be severed in order to save the royal lines of England.
Leah had hoped to enjoy the sunshine that following afternoon with her sister-in-law, but she had been told that Agnes wasn’t feeling well, so she had set out on her own about the grounds.
She had nearly made her way back to the house when she looked up and her heart stuttered in her chest. Francis was making his way toward her. “Good day, Miss Lindquist. Henry told me I might find you in the gardens.”
Leah smiled tightly. “Mr. Bernard.” She swallowed hard. “I was just on my way back inside.” She attempted to move past him, but he smoothly stepped in front of her path.
Taking her arm, he turned her back around. “I’m sure you can spare a few moments for some polite conversation,” he said smoothly.
Leah didn’t like this. At all. Every instinct she had was screaming at her, telling her to run to the house and lock the door behind her. Unfortunately, without anyone on her side, she had to withstand his presence or risk her brother’s wrath, and possible expulsion from the house. Failing anywhere else to turn, she could find herself on the streets if she didn’t play by the rules.
Holding the retort that was on her tongue, she said instead, “I didn’t realize we had anything to discuss.”
“Come now,” he cajoled, but she could sense the underlying steel in his tone. “We both don’t believe that’s true.”
She cringed with every sound his shoes made upon the pebbled path. She imagined it as a dire warning, a death knell. Resisting the urge to pull at her stays, which had suddenly gotten rather tight, she said evenly, “You have me at a disadvantage, sir.”
He paused and stood over her. His dark eyes were almost black. She imagined that they reflected his hollow soul. “Not for long.” He stepped back slightly when he heard the sound of a door slamming somewhere in the house. “I have asked your brother for permission to escort you to a special gathering this evening.” He paused. “I am not in the habit of being refused, so I hope that you will accept my proposal.”
Leah ceased to breathe. “Why are you so interested in me?”
He bent down to whisper in her ear. “Because I desire something you have.” A cold sweat broke out over her body as he straightened once more. “We shall speak at length tonight.”
She prayed her voice didn’t quaver when she said, “I shall endeavor to wear my best dress, Mr. Bernard.”
“You learn quickly, my dear.” He touched a finger to his hat and walked away.
It wasn’t until he turned a corner that Leah sagged against the side of the house. Tears stung her eyes, but she could not give in to the weakness that had abruptly shaken her to her core. Harlan had told her that he was concerned for her safety, which was why he didn’t want her to get involved in such dangerous affairs.
After her latest interaction with Mr. Bernard, she could understand why. For the first time in her life, she was frightened. Not only that, but she was more convinced than ever that he was the assassin intending to kill the queen.
She just prayed that she wouldn’t become his first victim.
Chapter 15
With her arm reluctantly threaded through that of Mr. Bernard, he escorted her into his high sprung phaeton as they set out that evening. Leah had planned to wear one of her most demure gowns that night to prove a point, so she hadn’t been pleased when a box had arrived from Mr. Bernard.
She’d opened it to find a bright red dress with a plunging neckline and a black underskirt. It was horrid, something a harlot might wear. It was the worst insult she could contrive, but when she tried to refuse the offering and send it back to Mr. Bernard, her brother had appeared aghast at the very idea. “It was a gesture of goodwill.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “You don’t think this is a bit inappropriate for a vicar’s sister?” She shook the dress in her grasp. “It will surely give off the wrong impression about your household.”
Her brother sniffed. “I should think you would be grateful for the notice he is showing you. He is a wealthy man. You could benefit from his regard and if he should offer for you, you might count your fortune to be the wife of such an esteemed patron.”
Leah gritted her teeth. Was she hearing him correctly? Surely her brother wasn’t so shallow as to want her to leave the house dressed as a dockside whore rather than a presentable lady of genteel quality. But that didn’t appear to be the case.
