Chapter 5

Kiss her again. It was the one thing that kept racing through Harlan's thoughts in that moment. He forgot everything else in the room but Leah and that tempting mouth of hers. He had the dreaded feeling she would be his demise.

Or his awakening.

A brisk knock at the door snapped him out of his fantasy and he crossed to the door with purposeful steps. It wasn't often that he had visitors this early in the morning.

He yanked it open to find Hugh and Benjamin on the other side. The first man didn't surprise him. With a lady like Miss Lindquist in the house, Hugh was likely eager to tease him further. "Don't you have a home to go to?" he asked Hugh dryly.

"But I so enjoy your company," was the tawdry reply.

With a snort, Harlan walked away as he headed back into the kitchen. Hugh followed suit, but he saw that Benjamin was a bit more hesitant to follow. He decided it must mean that there was news to impart. Otherwise, the gruff man wouldn't have been cajoled into joining Hugh this early in the day.

Removing his cloak from a nearby hook, Harlan tossed it around his shoulders. As Hugh settled himself at the table and rubbed his hands together with glee at the steaming cup of coffee that Harlan hadn't been able to enjoy, Hugh took a fortifying sip. "I do so appreciate your hospitality, old chap." He dared to wink at Miss Lindquist who smirked at his charming antics. "And I will be more than happy to entertain your lovely companion while you conduct your affairs."

Harlan clenched his jaw. If it wasn't for the fact Hugh was properly attired in his mask, Harlan might have considered ordering him out of the group—and perhaps his house as well.

"I see. You mean to play nanny in his absence," Miss Lindquist drawled.

The look of pure dismay on Hugh's face was almost worth the stage. "How hurtful, madam. I can think of no other reason to spend time with you other than some polite conversation."

Harlan grumbled a curse as he went to join Benjamin.

They headed out into the fresh summer breeze that had finally lost the brisk spring chill. Now that they were alone, Benjamin wasted no time in expressing his curiosity. "How is your guest this morning?"

Harlan considered his reply. "Better than yesterday."

"I'm sure that is a relief. When my Margaret gets a notion that she is upset about something, my ears won't stop ringing for days."

Harlan couldn't hold back a twitch of his lips, because he knew that whatever his stocky, bearded companion might claim, he adored his wife. "Then perhaps you should be more cautious. You are shackled to her for the rest of your days."

"Aye. Don't I know it," he returned gruffly, but there was a softness to his tone that he likely didn't realize.

Deciding to turn the conversation to the matter at hand, Harlan asked, "I assume that there has been a development on the roads?"

"No, but I have heard news of London."

Harlan's chest tightened. That could never be a good sign. If the gossip had reached the Old Prince of Orange, then the threat must have gotten more severe. "I fear to learn what is being said now."

"It is still the continued concern over the new queen," Benjamin said grimly. "It is no longer just the name Victoria, or her age that is being disputed at ascending the throne at just eighteen, but many people believe her to be entirely too willful to properly rule a great nation like Britain."

Harlan frowned. "This is nothing new. When the king was nearing the end, there were many who doubted Victoria's ability to handle the country, but it has spread about time and again that her entire life, from the day she was born, has prepared her for this moment. It would have been better should she have been older to assume authority, but nature does not wait for any man."

"I do not doubt that," Benjamin returned with a heavy sigh. As they reached the plain where the windmill stood strong and proud, he paused and looked at Harlan with a grim expression. "The problem is the lack of a husband and heir."

Again, Harlan didn't understand the urgency. "They will both come in time. The Crown will make sure of it."

"And if she fails to produce either before her death?"

Silence reigned after his announcement, because it wasn't a guess as to who the heir presumptive guardian would be should something happen to Victoria. "Then it would fall to her uncle, Ernest Augustus, The King of Hanover."

"Indeed," Benjamin concurred. "There is already unrest in the monarchy because he believes that both titles should have been rightfully his. It isn't enough that he inherited the Hanover title by right of Salic law, which prevents women from taking the role. He wants both Crowns, the same as his brother. Combined with his hatred for the Queen Mother, there has been… speculation that he will resort to more drastic efforts to gain the English throne."

Harlan looked at his companion steadily. "You are speaking of the highest form of treason." He stilled. "Or perhaps an assassination?"

Benjamin's silence was condemning enough. "With the growing unrest in Lower Canada regarding political unrest between Britain and French occupied territories, I fear it will strain the monarchy's tenuous hold even further. Some claim that it would be easy for a spy to slip into the country by way of the French Provinces to aid in the resistance."

Harlan uttered a profanity as he shoved a hand through his hair. "We cannot patrol every road in and out of England. We do not have that sort of time, nor man power at our disposal." He began to pace. "I should like to see what happens if I were to walk into Parliament and demand that they sacrifice as much as we do in honor of this country. It is all well and good to demand results when they are in London having their brandy and cigars, but when we are faced with impossible developments such as this, chaos is inevitable."

"They have the titles in which to secure themselves behind," Benjamin pointed out. "We are not part of the elite, so we have to accept the brunt of the country's retaliation regardless of whether or not they know of our efforts."

Harlan gritted his teeth. So many times he considered walking away from the victories that he had always been honor bound to chase. His father was a decorated war hero who had fought valiantly and died in the Battle of Waterloo. Lord Wellington himself had paid a personal visit to Harlan and his mother to express his sincere condolences regarding the ‘honorable demise of such a fine example of a true Englishman.'

Harlan had been a child at the time of his father's death, but he'd never forgotten the kindness and genuine concern in Lord Wellington's demeanor. Over the years, Harlan had seen the ‘Iron Duke' lose some of his support with the agricultural Swing Riots of 1830, but he had stood firm and continued his work in Parliament.

After a brief period of mourning, Harlan had gone to Wellington with the request that he be offered the chance to honor his country by serving. It was the duke himself who appealed to the Home Office.

Harlan could remember his words to this day, "I thought very highly of your father. I am sure that you have inherited the same determined characteristics." With that, he'd written a letter of recommendation, and since there were many who still approved of the duke for his heroic efforts during the war, Harlan had been given the opportunity to prove himself in the field. It hadn't taken long before he had gained the approval of many and was one of the best and most devoted servants to the Crown, as he'd been told more than once by some of the most influential men in power—including Wellington.

However, there were times like this, when Harlan wondered if Parliament had any faith in the process of his work at all. They had given him leave to act however Harlan saw fit, and while they had not initially approved of the prospect of thievery, they decided it was the best course. It appeared that window was slowly closing on him.

"For now, we focus on the queen and leave the rebellion alone," Harlan announced. "If there is an assassin out there, if we are successful in foiling his attempts, it will do enough to cripple the rest."

Benjamin nodded. "What of your captive? Do you think she is someone of interest?"

Only to me. "No," Harlan said tightly. He'd come to the conclusion that morning. There was nothing in her effects or her bearing that proved she had any ulterior motives, nor someone intent on this sort of mischief. The main problem he faced was his own attraction to the lady.

"How long do you intend to keep her before you let her go?"

That was the question Harlan was trying to answer as well. "I'm not sure yet."

Benjamin looked at him curiously. "I've never known you to be so hesitant. Why are you now?"

"All possibilities must be examined," Harlan hedged, hoping the other man would leave it at that. He didn't.

"Good God," Benjamin breathed. "You aren't starting to… care for her?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Harlan snapped.

"Am I?" Benjamin countered with a shake of his head. "I knew it was a mistake to take her with us, but I could tell the moment you looked at her like a wounded animal on the side of the road that she would be your downfall."

Harlan wanted to refute the other man's words, to tell him that he didn't know what he was talking about. However, while Hugh had known him the longest, Benjamin was a man who did not allow much to go past his notice. To lie would be an insult more than anything else. With a considering frown, Harlan scrubbed a hand down his face and said, "I have to wonder if you might actually be right in this instance."

Benjamin grabbed his arm, his tone imploring, "Then let me escort her into the village and send her out on the first coach to Birmingham."

This is where Harlan had to refuse his rational side for the first time in his life and go where his heart yearned to lead. "I can't do that."

Instead of appearing upset, Benjamin seemed resigned. "Then may God be with you. That female is going to be a lot to handle."

Harlan's mouth kicked up at the corner, although his eyes were firm and focused when he returned, "Why do you think I find myself inexplicably drawn to her?"

It didn't take longfor Leah to decide that she liked the bandit across from her. She learned that his name was Hugh, and like Harlan, they seemed to be on a strict, first name basis, if that was actually their true identities at all.

Nevertheless, Hugh was a very entertaining gentleman. His red hair didn't really match his charming personality, the flashes of a grin that seemed to come to him so naturally, along with an ease of character that Leah had never managed to perfect in all her years of travel. She might have thought she would have gotten more comfortable speaking to members of the opposite sex, and to an extent she had, but not where Harlan was concerned. She either found him entirely frustrating—or annoyingly seductive. Neither were good for her peace of mind.

"I am sure you are ready to make your way on to Birmingham," he noted casually. Almost too much.

Leah paused as she continued to sip on the bitter coffee. "I am sure my brother is concerned about me." In truth, she wondered if he even remembered that she was due to arrive the day before. It was difficult to believe that she already felt more at ease in this modest kitchen, in the home of a highwayman, rather than her own relation. But then, Henry had never appeared to offer any sort of affection to her. Whenever she joined their father for a visit from their travels, Henry had brushed off her presence like a bothersome insect. It was because of that she had not endeared herself to him, and she was quite sure the feeling was mutual. He had agreed to take her in now because his position demanded that he do so. Otherwise, she was quite sure he would have let her rot in France on her own.

"Unless, of course, you are in no hurry to continue to your original destination."

She glanced up sharply. "Why wouldn't I be?"

The bandit shrugged. "The frown you wore just now implied otherwise."

Leah tried to smooth out the furrow between her brows, but it merely deepened. She tapped the side of her cup thoughtfully, and then drained the last of the bitter coffee and sat back to engage fully in the conversation. "It would be foolish of me not to want to meet my brother as planned, but I shall not lie and say that we haven't always had a… strained relationship. There are twelve years that separate us, and Henry has long considered me to be an inconvenience. I think there are times when he resents me because I am the result of our father's second marriage."

"Ah." He nodded. "A common tale of woe."

"Indeed." Leah sat up straighter. "I believe that he intends to marry me off to the first man in his congregation that will accept and I daresay it makes me a bit anxious, but neither will I admit that I would prefer to be here where I cannot speak to anyone in a civilized manner."

"You think we are not being civil now?" he countered.

"Not completely," she returned. Tapping her temple, she added, "Not with a mask on to keep your identity concealed. It's not an easy way to earn trust."

"A fine point," he agreed. "But I'm sure you understand why we must protect ourselves."

"Naturally, but that also doesn't mean that I feel comfortable conversing with someone I can never truly know."

He tilted his head to the side. "Is that how you feel about Harlan?"

She frowned a second time, but this time it was due to confusion. "What?"

He leaned forward and the charming smile was back in place. "Come now. You think you can hide it, but something tells me you have already taken a particular fancy to Harlan."

Leah started. She had been hoping she wasn't so transparent, but obviously she hadn't tried hard enough to conceal her interest. "You seem quite confident of your claim," she hedged.

He shrugged. "I am. But if it will set your mind at ease, I can tell you that there is no one more loyal or devoted than him."

"To thievery?" Leah suggested primly.

His eyes flashed and she was slightly taken aback at the animosity she saw in his gaze. "Do not assume the worst. Like the masks we wear, some of the best deeds are concealed by alternate means."

She lifted a brow. "An intriguing theory, but again, one where I fail to see the benefit of putting my trust."

As the front door opened, her companion got to his feet. "Then, on that score, you would be wrong." He inclined his head. "Good day, Miss Lindquist. I thank you for the interesting conversation. It has been very enlightening."

As he walked away, Leah watched him depart curiously, wondering if his parting words were a compliment—or something else.

There was a hushed conversation near the door, and then Hugh and the bearded man left, while Harlan entered the kitchen to rejoin her. As he poured himself a new, steaming cup of coffee, he muttered, "I need this." Forgoing any toast, he sat down across from her and sighed heavily.

"Something wrong?" she asked, genuinely concerned.

"Nothing that I haven't encountered before," he returned evenly.

Realizing that was all that she was going to get out of him, she decided that if he wasn't going to be forthcoming with any further information, she would retire elsewhere to find something to occupy her time. Scooting back her chair, she said, "Excuse me."

Finding her way into the parlor, she meandered about the room, looking for an interesting book, or something equally compelling that might cure her boredom. If things continued like this, she wondered if perhaps it might be better to demand to be released and venture on to her brother's residence where she could endure another sort of frustration.

Unfortunately, for some place that was supposed to be a home, Harlan had a sad lack of anything resembling entertainment. She couldn't even locate a deck of cards.

She sank down onto the settee and stared into the dormant fireplace. If it might have been permitted, she would have taken a walk down to the river's edge just to enjoy some sunshine. Now that the weather in England had turned particularly fair, she was anxious to do some exploring. And she had never been the type to sit still for long.

She heard Harlan rummaging about in the kitchen, but soon enough footsteps entered the parlor. "I'm feeling a bit restless." She glanced over at him. "Would you care for a walk?"

As if reading her mind, she stood and smoothed out her skirts. "Yes, I would."