When they walked through the front door, Matthew was pacing the center of the parlor. “My God!” Relief instantly flooded his face when he spied them. “Harlan, I know you are going to be angry, but Miss Lindquist left a note saying she was going after you and—” He blinked when his focus shifted to Leah. Apparently, he was used to Harlan going out in various disguises, so his altered appearance didn’t faze him, but his mouth went slack when Leah removed the cap that released her hair. “I don’t—”
“Believe it?” Harlan suggested. “Neither did I, but it’s true.” He turned back to the door. “Now that we are both back safe and sound, I’m going to put back on some clothes we can all tolerate.”
Once the door shut, Leah walked over to where Matthew had put on some water to make coffee. The fragrance was decidedly better than what Harlan had subjected to her poor nostrils. She had never prayed for the loss of her sense of smell until then. “I hope that there is some food to go with this,” she said with a delighted sigh as she found a cup and took a bracing sip. She had missed the rich brew. “It’s heavenly.”
“I thought Harlan would be in a state when he discovered you had gone,” Matthew noted, his expression one of disbelief. ‘I would have bet my life on it.”
“Perhaps he’s starting to realize that I can be an asset, not a hindrance.” She grinned and then looked toward the bedchamber. “How is our patient doing this morning?”
Matthew started to reply, but another voice intercepted. “Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“Benjamin!” Immediately, Leah set down her cup and rushed over to him. He was holding his side and walking slow, but his color was good and he didn’t appear to be running a fever when she touched his forehead. “You shouldn’t be out of bed yet,” she admonished.
“I’m not about to stay here any longer than I need to,” he returned firmly. “I never was one to sit around and convalesce like some sort of invalid. I will be well soon enough.” He sank down into a chair and nodded toward the fireplace. “I heard something about coffee. So long as there is some food to go along with it, I’m starving.”
Matthew looked at Leah. “I shall attempt to find some rations.”
As he left, Leah got another cup and poured Benjamin some coffee. With both in her grasp, she walked over and handed him one. He accepted it while glancing at her attire curiously. “I imagine you shocked Harlan when he caught sight of you in breeches.”
“He was rather surprised,” she noted as she sat down across from him. She lifted a leg and added, “I admit they are quite freeing, but I’m not sure I would care to wear them all the time. But they served a purpose this morning.”
Benjamin shook his head with a chuckle. “I personally think it’s good for Harlan to find someone who isn’t afraid of his gruff manner. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a fine man, but he has his own opinions and if you dare to cross him, he will fight to be heard.”
“I’m aware,” Leah murmured. “I suppose part of the problem is that my father gave me plenty of free reign. Like Harlan, I’m not used to having my actions questioned, especially when I know what I’m talking about.” She shrugged. “I think Harlan finally understands now. It just took a bit longer to convince him.”
With a broad grin, Benjamin raised his cup. “To women as stubborn as the men they engage.”
Leah smiled. She could certainly drink to that.
By the timeHarlan had changed and returned, Matthew had procured a delicious breakfast from the pub across the street, and Leah and Benjamin looked quite cozy in their conversation.
Harlan walked over and sat down beside Leah on the worn settee. Studying Benjamin, he said, “Are you sure you should be up already?”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m fine. But you’ve known me long enough that you shouldn’t have needed to ask that question.”
“Indeed,” Harlan said with an tilt of his head. “Forgive me for my oversight.”
Benjamin inclined his head in return. “Forgiven. Did you find anything on Bernard?”
“Not really. Harlan shook his head slowly. “This man thinks methodically. It’s why he’s always one step ahead of me. It’s time I start thinking like him and not what I should be doing next.”
“What does that mean?” Leah asked, a line of concern furrowing her brow. He opened his mouth to reply, but she held up a hand. “And don’t think about trying to lie so that I will remain out of harm’s way.”
“No,” he murmured. “I wouldn’t dream of asking you not to risk your life, even if it would be the sensible thing for you to do. I was foolish to believe you might actually do as you are told and stay out of danger.” When it appeared she was going to interrupt with a rant about what good qualities she possessed, he held up a hand and said, “I have an idea of where you might be of some use.”
She crossed her arms, but her eyes narrowed. “I’m all ears.”
He turned back to Benjamin who had been observing the exchange with a broad grin on his face. “You don’t have to look so pleased,” Harlan snapped.
“I think you’ve met your match in this one.” Benjamin winked at her and Harlan could feel a headache coming on. He had never been prone to them before Miss Lindquist swept into his life, but he supposed, in that regard, he had no one to blame but himself. But did she have to charm everyone she met, including his own men?
Hoping that he might gain control of the situation once again, he leaned forward and clasped his hands loosely together in front of him. “I propose that we stop chasing after the fox but let him come to us.”
“Go on,” Benjamin said.
“As you know, I have the confidence of Lord Wellington who is a close, personal confidante to the queen.” Harlan glanced at Leah. “I propose that Leah be installed into the royal household as a spy, perhaps as a companion to Her Majesty. With the royal guard around, she shall be protected like I want, but doing her civic duty as she wants.”
He was grateful that a considering light entered her gaze. “What about you? And Benjamin?”
