“Yes, but I didn’t really believe you.” Hugh shrugged. “I thought when I mentioned actually following through with terminating your tenure with the Home Office, you might halt the idea.”
Harlan’s forehead creased slightly. “I’m not going to say that I won’t miss the pride I feel when I complete a mission. It was a way I could feel close to my father, to honor his memory, but Leah means more to me than any glory I might have gained by following in my sire’s footsteps.”
Hugh gave a slight nod. “I understand. But you have to remember that you don’t need to search for all of that. She already thinks of you as her own romantic hero.”
Harlan quite liked the sound of that. And it also gave him an idea. “Before you go, might you consider one last mission?”
Hugh looked skeptical, but since he was a good friend, he was willing to listen. “Go on.”
Leah was startingto get perturbed. It had been two days since she’d spoken to Harlan. The day before when he’d awoken and Hugh had asked to speak to him alone, she decided it was a courtesy. She didn’t know that she would be banned from his room from that point forward.
When she thought to check on him later in the day, she was told that the duke was sequestered in his chamber and they were discussing matters of state. Annoyed, but deciding that she could let that go, she tried again that evening. She hoped she might take her evening meal with him, but again, her way was barred from entrance. This time, it was one of the palace guards telling her that Harlan was resting.
Dismayed, Leah had returned to her chamber and flopped on her bed. It didn’t seem fair that she had waited all this time, sitting at Harlan’s bedside praying for his recovery, and when it finally took place, she was forced to the side.
The following morning, she was determined to push her way through the door if she had to, but before she had the opportunity, Hugh entered her chamber with a missive in his grasp. “Your sister-in-law has written.”
While Leah fully intended to check to see how Agnes was faring, a scorned woman on her own now that her husband and brother were in gaol awaiting their respective fates, she wanted to ensure herself that Harlan truly was well and there was no threat that he would gain that frightening pallor again. But it appeared her wishes were not to be granted.
As she read the short, but pleading appeal from Agnes, she sighed heavily. “She has requested my presence in Dudley as soon as I can manage it. I suppose I will make my things ready and depart immediately.” She glanced at Hugh. “Might it be possible to see Harlan before I go?”
He’d laid a gentle hand on her arm and said softly, “He will be here when you return. It is my promise to you.”
She could feel the tears welling up in her gaze. “I can’t have just a few moments with him? To ease my mind?”
He hesitated, and then said, “Very well, but it can’t be long. He is still regaining his strength.”
She nodded her head, eagerly dogging his heels as he headed down the hallway. She was so grateful to be granted this boon that she didn’t care if she had to peek inside, so long as she couldseehim.
Hugh paused at the door and said, “Wait here.”
Anxiety flowed through her veins as she waited for him to return. When he did, he opened the door and put a finger to his lips, letting her know that Harlan was resting. She had hoped that they might have been able to have a conversation, however brief, but considering everything that Harlan had endured until that point, it would likely take some time before he was conversing normally again.
She moved to the side of the bed and sat down. She took his hand in hers and was grateful to feel the calming warmth of his palm in hers. A glance at his face told her that his color had all but returned and his breathing was deep and even, no more restlessness.
Relief poured through her and she decided that she had the strength to make the journey to see Agnes knowing that Harlan was, indeed, recovering quite heartily.
After a short time, Hugh walked over to her. It was the unspoken request that it was time for her to depart. Once they were back in the hallway, he said, “I sent for the carriage and Matthew is ready whenever you are.”
“Matthew?” she asked with a tilt of her head.
Hugh rolled his eyes dramatically. “He has remained in London for Harlan, but when I told him you needed to go to Dudley, he wouldn’t allow anyone else to escort you.”
“I see.” With a lingering glance at Harlan’s bedchamber door, she returned to her rooms where she gathered her things. They were soon loaded into the coach. Before she left, there was one more person that she needed to speak with.
Leah made her way to the queen’s chamber. Following a brief wait, she was bid entry into the private quarters. She walked over to Victoria and took her hand with a slight curtsy. It was the first time they had conversed since the incident. “I’m glad to see you doing so well,” Leah noted. “I would have come to pay my respects earlier, but I understood you were a bit… distressed.”
“Indeed,” Victoria agreed. “But I am not detained from my duties for long. It was a frightening experience that I should not wish to duplicate again, but my fortitude is stronger than my fear.”
Something told Leah that was true. It was in the stubborn set of the lady’s chin and the determined set of her shoulders. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“I understand you are leaving us?”
“I am,” Leah confirmed. “In just a few moments, in fact. I do appreciate your kind hospitality. I’m not sure what I might have done otherwise.”
“You saved my life, Miss Lindquist,” the queen noted firmly. “I commend your loyalty and your service to securing the Crown’s legacy. I am the one who is indebted to you.”
Warmth surged through her and she nearly gave in to the impulse to reach out and give the queen a hug, but she refrained, because although this woman was human like her, she was also the sovereign of a great nation. Nevertheless, she thought she spied a sparkle of respect in the queen’s eyes as Leah departed, and that was enough to satisfy her.
