Chapter 10

Leah glanced at herself in the washstand mirror in the bedchamber. She had read the Shelley book most of the afternoon as she waited for Harlan's return and the promise that they would talk. They needed to decide what to do about this fiery attraction between them. Leah knew what she wanted, but he was obstinate enough not to want the same. She was going to try, once more, to prove that she would be an asset, and not a hindrance.

When he finally arrived, she was surprised to find that he held a brown paper wrapped package that he handed to her.

"What is this for?" she'd asked.

She could tell that it wasn't a gift of adoration or appreciation. In truth, he looked mildly aggrieved. "It's for tonight's festivities." As the meaning behind the item was explained, her brows lifted in astonishment. He had made his sentiments rather clear earlier that morning. Obviously, someone had convinced him that her assistance would not be entirely unwelcome after all. She had the feeling Hugh was to thank for that.

Now, as she tried on the fit of the emerald green overskirt with its matching, fitted bodice and white underskirt, she wondered if she would pass inspection. She had never been a part of anything so exhilarating in her life, and she found she was quite looking forward to the prospect. Danger had always intrigued her. From the exploits of former highwaymen in novels to scarred war heroes, she knew she would never have the same chance to make any sort of mark on the world as a female. She was expected to keep a nice house for her husband and bear children. That was all. It was what she'd been taught from an early age, but that is not what she'd dreamt of achieving.

Leah had always enjoyed her travels with her father, but she had never been allowed to have the sort of adventures she truly wanted. She yearned to explore the ancient tombs of Egypt, hike to the highest points in India, and feel the wind on her face as she rose in a hot air balloon.

All such frivolities had been denied her, believing the perils to be too great, so gaining the chance to become a spy, if just for one night, was an exciting prospect. She just had to ensure that Harlan didn't see how pleased it made her, because he would surely forbid any further involvement at all. She knew there were risks, that it wasn't a game, but there was a certain thrill that passed through her at the anticipation to be had that night.

Patting her chignon to ensure it was in place, her new white satin gloves on her hands, and the matching reticule dangling from her wrist, she took a deep breath and walked out into the hallway.

Leah found Harlan waiting for her in the parlor. For a moment, her breathing faltered. He was quite handsome in his black trousers, crisp white shirt and cravat and blue waistcoat with its matching jacket. With his hair brushed back from his forehead and a hat in place, it was almost impossible to believe he was anything other than a gentleman.

His gaze slowly traveled down and back up the length of her. "You look exquisite," he said huskily. "I'm not sure I want to let you walk out that door without me."

She laughed a bit unsteadily. "You are the one who told me we can't risk being seen together tonight."

"Yes, I did," he murmured. "However, I wonder if I should retract that statement now. Every man in Gravesend and beyond will be lusting after the most beautiful woman in attendance."

She rolled her eyes. "That's a bit unfair to the wives of your men."

He walked forward and placed a gentle but warming kiss on her lips. "But you are the only one that matters to me."

Flutters were instantly set off in Leah's stomach.

He reached into his vest and pulled out a small box that he handed to her.

"More surprises?" she teased.

He smiled. "Just one."

She slowly lifted the lid to reveal a set of emerald earbobs and a matching necklace. A gasp escaped her.

"Don't get too excited," he said. "They are just paste, but it wouldn't be right if you weren't properly adorned."

"Thank you," she breathed. As he took the necklace and moved around to her back to clasp it, she lifted a gloved hand and touched the delicate gems. "Real or not, they are enchanting. And they match perfectly with my dress."

"I have never lacked for taste," he murmured in her ear, causing a delicious shiver to trail down her spine. "I chose you, so that definitely should account for it."

Leah yearned to lean back into his embrace. She imagined his hands moving down her shoulders to cup her breasts. She would moan as he teased them into hard points… "You don't know me well enough yet. You might come to lament that decision."

He nipped playfully at her neck. "Never."

There was a brisk knock at the door and he moved away from her. Leah wanted to groan at the loss. They locked eyes just moments before a man with graying hair and a calm assurance entered. Lucas was alongside him. The bespectacled man offered her an encouraging smile. "Good to see you again, Miss Lindquist. I believe we have the pleasure of escorting you to the festivities." He waved a hand to indicate his companion. "Might I introduce you to Matthew? He is the driver for our various escapades" He leaned forward, as if imparting a secret, but didn't lower his voice. "You might have to speak loudly as he lives with seven women."

Lucas was elbowed in the ribs for his teasing as he addressed Leah. "It's true that I have a wife and six daughters, but I am more than capable of handling my own."

Leah inclined her head. "I'm sure you are."

"How is your head?" He touched the side of his head. "If I recall, you were injured the other night when we…ah…escorted you here."

Her lips twitched at the subtle way he was trying to refer to her abduction. "Thank you. I am quite recovered." She attempted to calm any concerns he might have. "And there is no harm done."

"I'm doing well," Harlan spoke up from where he'd been observing the exchange. He touched the side of his head. "I was shot, you know."

Matthew waved a hand. "You're always in trouble."

Harlan rolled his eyes as Lucas announced, "Shall we go?" He held out his arm to her. "I heard tonight shall be grand enough to rival the festivities held at Vauxhall."

Before she could accept Lucas, Harlan leaned down to murmur, "I won't be far away." She nodded, because speech had failed her. Knowing that he would be out in the crowd, hidden from view but watching her, made her pulse flutter with awareness.

It wasn't until he was gone that her voice returned. She smiled at Lucas. "I daresay it will be better."

A burstof sparks overhead lit up the night sky. Harlan caught a glimpse of green in the midst of the crowd, but he couldn't be certain it was Leah until she turned her head and looked out among the assemblage, a brilliant smile on her face. His cock instantly stirred with desire.

He turned away, lest his attention was distracted any further.

He meandered about the edge of the main gathering of onlookers who had come out to watch the amusements. From acrobatics to musicians, and food vendors and boats floating on the river that offered guests a different view to see the colorful fireworks overhead, it was one of the best spectacles that Gravesend had witnessed since the spring opening a couple months previous. Now that the weather was starting to get warmer, the enthusiasm to engage in outdoor enjoyments had begun to grow.

Harlan spied Benjamin and Hugh, who were there with their families and appeared at ease, playing their parts as eager revelers with perfect precision.

Lucas and Matthew had also joined their prospective circles but made sure to keep Leah close. Everything was progressing exactly as it should, but as past experience had taught Harlan, that was when he needed to worry.

Men and women in various costumes were walking among the assemblage and offering drinks or other wares on silver trays. Harlan was far enough away from the heart of the merriment that they didn't approach him, but he could still keep a close eye on the activity. It didn't take long before he saw one particular lady glance about before disappearing around the side of the windmill.

Instantly, the fine hairs on the back of Harlan's neck began to rise with awareness. He never dismissed his gut feeling, and right now, it was telling him that this woman hadn't moved away from the merriment for no reason. He managed to catch Benjamin's eye as he nodded in the same direction. The other man started to retreat the opposite way, giving them a chance to meet and hopefully, cut off anyone's chance of escape.

A surge of energy pulsed through Harlan's body as he crept closer to the windmill without drawing any undue attention to himself. Once he reached the solid base of the structure, his heart started to beat rapidly, a direct contrast to the giant turbines overhead. He removed the small pistol that he'd tucked in the back of his trousers and slowly moved closer to the two shadowed figures that were speaking in muted tones a short distance away.

A crackle of fireworks overhead momentarily lit up the sky and Harlan knew he was in trouble when the man's head whipped around to face him. For an instant, his features were clearly revealed. They stared at each other, both sizing up the moment, deciding when best to act.

Whipping out his pistol, the villain pushed the maid against the windmill and Harlan spied the glint of the steel as he raised his weapon and fired first.

Harlan ducked as the shot whizzed past his head and harmlessly embedded itself into a nearby tree, splintering the bark. Thankfully, the noise appeared to go unnoticed, as the loud blasts overhead continued on the other side of the windmill.

His gaze flicked to the shadows moving behind the assassin, and Harlan was glad to see Benjamin stealthily making his way behind the man. He had always been light on his feet, considering his towering height and bulging muscles, but this time he was not quick enough.

The suspect withdrew another weapon and shot it directly toward Benjamin, who rolled onto his back as he fell to the ground. Harlan feared that he was injured, but when Benjamin shouted an obscenity and got back to his feet to engage the attacker, he knew the cretin had missed.

Turning on his heel, the suspect disappeared into the shadows.

From opposite sides of the windmill, Harlan met up with Benjamin. Back-to-back, with weapons at the ready, they scanned the hillside around them with heaving breaths. "Where did he go?" Benjamin growled, his tone telling Harlan that he was eager to be in pursuit.

"I'm not sure yet," Harlan answered evenly. "But he is lurking about somewhere. I can feel it."

"Did you see the brazen nerve of that cad?" Benjamin muttered. "Trying to shoot me."

Harlan continued to carefully inspect the darkness around them. "Yes, he did the same to me. He's a crack shot. The rebellion has done well with this one. He is no fool. We would be wise not to underestimate him."

"Indeed. I think you're right."

Harlan could hear the grudging respect in his cohort's voice. "I think we should split up again," he suggested.

As they did so, Harlan continued to feel a sense of unease all around him. He wanted to shout into the void and call the man out, but as the sensation abruptly ceased, he realized that the man had likely vanished.

After the failed attempt to end this charade, Harlan rejoined Benjamin. "I don't think this is some hired ruffian that we are dealing with, but a well-educated man, for whatever reason, has nothing left to lose."

Benjamin crossed his arms. "Aye. But why was he still in Gravesend?"

Harlan pondered the query carefully. "I think it was to learn more about us. No doubt his contacts are quite well informed about highwaymen that ride along this stretch of land. Not to mention the rebellion that has been in place for some time. The public has known of King William IV's ill health for months. I would wager a guess that the man we are pursuing has been corresponding with his allies in England, arranging meetings on the continent and putting plans into place to see to it that Ernest Augustus might acquire the title of King of Hanover and England for some time." His expression became grim. "And the skill he possesses with a pistol tells me everything I need to know. There is no doubt he's here to assassinate the queen."

The larger man scrubbed a hand down his face. "Bloody hell."

"No doubt the benefits promised to this man are quite plenty. They would not have hired anyone but the best and most qualified to see that the deed was done. My guess is that he is a military man, perhaps highly decorated in the field of battle." With a thoughtful frown creasing his brows, Harlan added, "I shall have to travel to London to alert Wellington at the earliest convenience. Now that I was able to get a good look at the villain, it might be someone the duke would know. We also need to question the maid, find out what part she plays in all this. Were you able to send a signal to Hugh to intercept her?"

Benjamin rubbed the back of his neck. "Not precisely. But I was able to catch the attention of someone else."

When there was a pause, Harlan could feel a sense of unease travel up his spine that had nothing to do with their mysterious assassin. "Don't tell me it was—"

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

All evening,Leah had noticed Harlan watching her. In turn, she had taken notice of his movements. Something told her that there was a reason he had allowed her to attend this evening, and it wasn't any of the reasons he'd claimed. He wasn't going to give her a chance to prove anything. She was there as a distraction—for herself. She wasn't so na?ve to believe that he might give in to her request so easily. He might have acted as though he had involved her in some way, but she had discovered the truth as soon as she had started to wander away from Hugh.

"Where are you headed off to, Miss Lindquist?" he'd asked.

She had replied with a bright smile and a wave of her gloved hand. "I thought to grab some punch. I'm starting to feel a bit parched."

Without a second's hesitation, Hugh had offered to fetch it on her behalf. "Not to worry. Stay here with Lucas and I can get it. I shall procure some for my lovely wife as well." With a wink in her direction, he'd taken his leave.

Leah had found the women of the highwaymen to be quite delightful, and their offspring equally entertaining thus far, but she was more interested in what she was being kept in the dark about. More than once she'd seen Benjamin or Matthew's focus on her. They would quickly look away when she caught their eye, which was when she realized her "participation" this evening was nothing but a farce.

It had been a good lark, but she was annoyed that she'd been treated like someone who couldn't handle her own. She was more determined than ever, and when she noticed Benjamin's sudden seriousness, she allowed her senses to go on alert. She saw him slip around the back of the windmill, and with Hugh at the refreshment table, and Lucas and Matthew distracted, she found the perfect opportunity to slip away from the crowd and follow her quarry.

She had just rounded the corner of the windmill when she was caught up in a pair of strong arms, a hand placed firmly over her mouth. "What are you doing here?" Benjamin hissed. "Harlan would have my hide if he knew you weren't with the rest of the assemblage."

He released her and she turned to him with both hands on her hips. "I am not some milksop that you have to worry about. I can help."

There was a sudden noise and Benjamin pressed them both closer to the base of the windmill. "Fine." He reluctantly gave in. "There is a maid that will need to be held for questioning—"

"Say no more," she interrupted—and then she heard the first gunshot. "What was that?" she gasped.

Benjamin didn't answer but rushed around the side of the windmill.

Another gunshot.

Leah could feel some of the blood recede from her face. Her stomach clenched with fear, but when she heard another pop, this one a bit more distant, she moved around to the backside of the large turbines. That's when she saw a man disappear at the top of the hill, with two more shadows moving closer together.

Relief coursed through her—and when she spied the maid Benjamin had warned her about Leah moved out of the shadows. She didn't have to do anything more threatening than that as the poor creature came to an abrupt halt and fainted.

Now, faced with Harlan's furious expression, it should have been enough for her to cower. Instead, she faced him directly. "What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded.

Rather than replying immediately, she offered Benjamin a bright smile. "Would you mind leaving your fearless leader and me alone for a bit?"

At first, the other man's gaze darted back and forth between them, but he reluctantly took his leave. Harlan snorted. "You're ordering my men about now?"

She took a step toward him. "Let's talk about how you deceived me by making it clear that you had no true intention of allowing me to join in tonight's coup de grace."

Harlan clenched his fists at his sides. "The less you occupy yourself with this affair, the better," he snapped. "You know I was against this endeavor from the start, but I could see I was overruled, so I agreed to a portion of the truth so you might feel useful."

Leah narrowed her gaze. "I do so appreciate your generosity in that regard, but perhaps you might realize your error once you hear what I have to say. I think I have some information that will be of particular interest to you."

He stilled. "Go on."

"I discovered the maid. I dragged her into the back entrance of the windmill, some sort of stockroom, to ensure that she was kept away from any prying eyes until you could question her."

He took no time in moving in that direction. "I hope Hugh is watching her to make sure she doesn't escape."

She felt personally affronted by that. "As if I don't know how to properly tie a knot! I have been around some of the best sailors in Europe and Asia. She is quite secure, I can assure you."

"We shall see about that," he returned crossly, his lengthy strides making her gather her skirts and take two steps for every one of his. "You should have sent for one of the others."

"They are enjoying the entertainments," she returned just as irritably. "I saw no reason to deny them the chance to take a respite to spend such a fascinating evening with their families."

Harlan shook his head. "Unbelievable," he muttered beneath his breath.

Leah was under no misconception in thinking that it was a compliment.

He walked in the rear door with Leah on his heels. It was obvious this part of the windmill wasn't used often. Everything was coated with a thick layer of dust. Random bits of stone and wood lay scattered about, as well as coils of rope. It was as if the workers had piled their materials to the side once they were completed with the construction and abandoned them to the fates.

In the midst of all the mess was the maid with a gag in her mouth, tied up in the corner, her wrists and ankles bound together.

"She hasn't seemed particularly eager to talk since she woke up," Leah offered.

"No, I don't imagine she was," Harlan murmured dryly. "But then, that could be because she is sympathetic to the rebellion. Or the way she is trussed up like a Christmas pheasant." He walked over and bent down in front of the woman. "If I remove the gag, you must promise not to scream."

There was a brief nod from the captive and then he removed the strip of linen. She coughed lightly and then demanded to be released. "This is an outrage! I haven't done anything wrong!"

Harlan's eyes narrowed. "I will determine that in good time, just as soon as you tell me everything that I want to know." He tilted his head to the side and added, "But if it isn't, then I'm afraid you will lose more than the feeling in your hands and feet once your transgressions are brought before the Crown."

When she blanched, Leah had no doubt she was prepared to cooperate.