Leah tilted her head after she had donned the earbobs. “What do you mean?”
The maid took the necklace and clasped it about her neck. “These stones are real.”
The blood slowly receded from her reflection. “What?”
“You couldn’t tell?” The maid didn’t realize her words were so shocking. “But perhaps it’s because I’m around all the palace jewels that makes it easier for me to tell the difference. I can tell you there is a certain glimmer to real gemstones that is not present in fake ones.”
“But how can that be?” Leah breathed. Immediately, she wondered if some of Harlan’s exploits might truly extend to that of robbery, if he had donned the highwayman mask one too many times until it had become real to him.
“Miss? Are you well?”
Leah blinked, dragging her conscience back to the present. She had a very special meeting with one of the most important women in the world, and she couldn’t allow thought of Harlan’s evening activities to consume her. If he was doing something nefarious on the side, she would have to confront him about it another time.
“Perfectly.” She got to her feet and smoothed her dress. “I’m ready for the queen.”
The maid opened the door where a footman was waiting to escort her to the royal wing of the palace.
After a brief wait, Leah was allowed to entered the hallowed sanctuary of the monarch. With a curtsy and an honorific, Leah waited until Victoria waved her hand for her to sit. “Dinner shall be served shortly.” She lifted a regal brow. “While we wait, why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself.”
Leah set her hands in her lap and took a restorative breath. “I was born in England, near the Cotswalds. I am my father’s second child from his second marriage after his first wife died. I have an elder half-brother, Mr. Henry Lindquist, who is a vicar in the village of Dudley. Once my mother passed, my father found his grief too difficult to bear, so he decided to keep himself distracted by traveling. Henry was on his own by then, so it was just the two of us.”
“I should imagine that would make it difficult to retain a proper upbringing,” the queen noted.
“At times it was. Certainly, it was hard to make friends when we moved around so much,” Leah replied with a slight smile. “For the most part, my father decided that I was best educated by my experiences, although he did employ a governess to ensure I was taught the proper comportment of a lady.”
The queen nodded. “It sounds intriguing. Go on.”
“My father died three years ago and I was sent to live with my aunt in Paris. I was there until her death just recently. I had returned to English soil, on the way to my brother’s house when I…” She stopped herself before she mentioned that Harlan had been masquerading as a highwayman. She wasn’t sure how much intrigue the queen was privy to, so she didn’t wish to paint Harlan in a poor light. “That’s when I met Mr. Mathis.”
“I see.” Victoria looked at her curiously, but with a direct manner that wouldn’t make one forget whom they were addressing. “Wellington speaks very highly of Mr. Mathis. He has been an exceptional asset to this country.”
“That is true,” Leah concurred. “I know that he will be successful in his endeavor to ensure the crown is kept securely on your head too.”
“I am counting on it,” she returned matter of fact. “But I’m curious as to your relationship to him. He obviously is very protective of you. Has he made you an offer of marriage?”
Leah laughed lightly. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but we have not known each other long enough to consider such a permanent endeavor to our acquaintance.”
“To look at the two of you, it is obvious that there is a strong emotion at play.” The queen murmured. “I would have thought it enough to secure a contented future.”
“Perhaps,” Leah acknowledged. “We will certainly have more time to discuss it after the threat to your palace is diminished.”
When dinner arrived by order of three footmen, each carrying a silver covered tray, Victoria smiled. “Ah. Here is our supper. Shall we eat?”
Leah nodded. “I’m famished.” In truth, she was just grateful that the topic seemed to have turned, because she wasn’t sure how she might pretend as though she wasn’t completely besotted with Harlan. And yet, without knowing for certain if he wanted more than a brief affair, she wasn’t sure how to respond to the queen’s questions. She definitely couldn’t say that she might possibly be carrying Harlan’s child at this very moment, as it would call both of their characters into question. This woman wasn’t yet married and was most assuredly a virgin. She likely wouldn’t understand the complexities of the sort of relationship she currently shared with Harlan.
Leah wasn’t sure she actually understood it either. All she knew was that when this was all over, she might ask him if he could be persuaded to extend their situation into something more lasting.
Chapter 21
It had been a handful of hours since Harlan had laid eyes on Leah, but as he waited anxiously in the antechamber at the palace for her to arrive, he could hardly keep from pacing in anticipation.
When she finally appeared, he started to move toward her. The door shut behind her as she quickly closed the remaining distance between them. As they met in the middle of the room, their arms wound into an embrace, their mouths hungry for each other in a passionate kiss that was over entirely too soon.
“I’ve missed you,” Harlan breathed as he parted slightly.
“And I, you,” she returned in a tortured whisper.
He looked at her in concern, his focus traveling up and down her body, as if he might find something amiss. “Have you been treated well?”
