(There’s a new part of this story dropping Saturday in the Broadsheet, so it’s time to give last month’s part it’s own post so it can be found more easily.)

Find previous chapters here.

Chapter 2 (Part 2)

Richard rubbed his chin as he read the paper he had been given, while Harriet peeked over his shoulder. Surprisingly, her brother did not even grumble about her doing so. Which likely meant that Edmund thought it would be good for her to see the report. That was also likely why it was written all in Edmund’s hand. The original document would have included identifiers to its true author. They would not be clear to any who did not know what they were, but Harriet was not the sort to not remember strange details.

She was a lot like Darcy’s Elizabeth in that regard. They would indeed make a fine pair of friends who had the potential to up-end society – at least, in familial circles.

“What would a purveyor of mostly honest goods have to do with this brothel scheme?” Harriet asked.

“Or,” Richard inserted, “what did he know that he was not supposed to know?”

“His place of business was in a bit of a mess when a man was sent round,” Edmund said.

“I see that here.”

“Was it Jimmy who was sent round? He would have been best, since he was the one who had accompanied me there when I bought the watch.” Harriet had returned to her seat to drink her tea.

Edmund shook his head. “I was not in charge of that decision, but you are correct, and I have sent a reply with that information.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he was wont to do when something was not sitting well with him. All his life – or, at least, since Richard had known him – he had done so when things were not right.

“You think this man’s demise has something to do with the watch.” It was a guess, but Richard suspected it was a good one both since Harriet had been allowed to read the report he held, and because Edmund had mentioned that her finding the watch may not have been helpful. “This makes no mention of it,” Richard continued, “but I assume whoever is overseeing things knows it had been found before this man’s body was discovered?”

Edmund’s head moved from side to side and then up and down as he nodded his unwilling agreement. “There is no way to be certain that the two are connected at this point, but that is another reason why I want Jimmy to visit that store.” He blew out a breath and then levelled a glare at his sister. “You are not to go with him. I do not care if you might notice something he won’t. This is far too dangerous.”

Ah, there was the reason why Harriet had been included in the reading of that report which had described how the shopkeeper had been found. Edmund was hoping to carry his point in demanding she not involve herself.

“He is right,” Richard agreed softly. “Neither of us would wish to have anything happen to you.” He extended his hand towards her, and she placed hers in it. “Promise me that you will not go with Jimmy.”

She cast a somewhat annoyed look at her brother and then, him.

“We will include you in the meeting when Jimmy returns before I send my report to …” Edmund smiled. “Well, to the appropriate people.”

“That is an excellent idea because Harriet may have some questions that we would not think to ask,” Richard added.

Edmund inclined his head in acceptance of the truth of the matter.

“Promise me, Harry,” Richard demanded. “I have only just begun to recover from the ordeal with Georgiana and Elizabeth. I am not sure I could withstand having you in danger.”

Harriet shot a concerned glance at her brother. “Do not say so, or he may remove his approval,” she hissed.

Richard chuckled. “Then, promise me that you will remove yourself from the dangerous bits of this assignment.”

She scowled. “I promise.”

“It is not because I do not think you are capable of dealing with unpleasant things,” Edmund assured her. “I am not sure I would be able to live with myself if anything were to happen to you because you were trying to prove yourself to me.” His lips tipped into a half-smile. “Not that there will not be an adequate number of other things about which you may persecute me to ensure that I am happy to be rid of you.” He winked, and his sister chuckled.

“That is perhaps too true,” she admitted.

He stood. “And now, I will take myself to my study so that my best man and dearest friend can present his official offer to you before he heads off to start his assignment.”

“Wait,” Harriet said. “Will I be allowed to see him after…”

“Yes. Most likely. It truly depends upon how things progress. As you saw, he and a couple other men will be staying in a rented room and doing their best to not stand out too much in the neighbourhood in which it is located. You will not be allowed to visit him there, but he cannot watch the comings and goings of the area all day and night. Therefore, there will be times when he can make his way here.”

He gave his sister a stern look. “Here. You may only see him here, Harriet. If you feel a need to see him, tell me, and I promise to relay that information to him. The lives of many – including his – depend upon your adherence to this.”

“As long as I get to see him or write to him, I can bear it. I will remind you that I did not attempt to ride to Hertfordshire even once. I am capable of not getting in the way.” She gave him an impertinent smile but then sobered. “I would not wish to be the reason anyone died.” She pulled the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth and looked down at the floor. “Am I why that man died?” she asked softly.

Edmund dropped to his knees in front of her and took the hand that Richard was not holding. “No. You could have been any lady looking for a watch as a gift. He did not know who you were. He may not have even known the source of the watch at all, or to whom it belonged. I think he was just an unfortunate casualty of an evil scheme that we have not yet entirely figured out.”

Harriet let go of Richard’s hand and grasped Edmunds with both of hers. “Are you certain?”

“Yes.” He tipped his head low to catch her eyes for she was resolutely looking at their joined hands. “If anyone is at fault it is me. If I had only just allowed Richard to offer for you sooner, you would not have had to go to the extremes you did.”

“I could have been more patient.”

“I will not deny that, but I did not help you in that regard.” He rose from his place and drew her to her feet along with him. Then, he wrapped her in a tight embrace. “I love you, Harriet. Do not ever doubt that. I would have eventually relented, for there is no other gentleman I have ever known who is truly worthy to be your husband. I think I have always known it, but this profession is dangerous, and I do not want to lose you.” He released her, and taking her hand, turned her toward Richard. “There is no one else I would rather entrust her to than you.”

Richard accepted her hand and gave Edmund a nod before he quickly left them alone.

“Will you still have me despite the fact that you know your brother approves of me?” he asked in a teasing tone which drew a small laugh from her, as it was supposed to do. “I, too, love you, Harry. You know I do.”

“I do,” her lips curved into a sweet smile as she said it. “And you know that I love you.”

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind about that, which means there is no need to prove it.”

She huffed. “I have already promised to keep myself safely tucked at home.”

He drew her to him. “Enjoy that time here for it will not be your home forever, and my inheritance will not afford us a home as grand as this.”

“I have a fine dowry,” she replied. “But I do not need a fine home. I only need you.”

“And all I need is you. However, I would also like to house you in a way that will make you happy to be my wife.”

“Does that mean that I will be allowed to be a part of some adventures?”

Richard chuckled. “I am quite certain that I will have no choice but to include you in a few – but nothing too dangerous. For I truly do not know what I would do without you. My heart would be irreparably shattered if I lost you. Shall I inform my father that his solicitor’s services are needed to put all my affairs in order in preparation for taking a bride?”

“Yes, please do, and then take care as you begin your assignment, for my heart will never be whole without you.” And then, without waiting for any response from him or giving him the opportunity to initiate a kiss, she pressed her lips to his. 

But that was his Harry. Bold, passionate, unafraid to go after what she wanted. And he was absolutely delighted to be exactly what she desired.

(There’s a new part of this story dropping tomorrow in the Broadsheet, so it’s time to give last month’s part it’s own post so it can be found more easily.)

Find previous chapters here.

For the next thirty minutes, Richard shared all that had happened in Hertfordshire – from his return from town to Netherfield with the first part of the money Wickham had demanded. To the following letters demanding more funds be delivered. To the hours spent watching various locations. To the final confrontation at Oxford Cottage – the one Elizabeth had demanded to be part of.

For all of that, he had sat next to Harriet, holding her hand and drawing support merely from her presence.

However, once he came to the portion of his report regarding the sorting out of details at Netherfield, he simply could not remain seated any longer.

Pacing a circle around the room, he relayed what he knew about the maid who had been ruined. He told Edmund and Harriet what Georgiana and Elizabeth had shared about the situations in which they had been placed. And then, he had spoken about how Elizabeth had summoned her courage to help Georgiana through the ordeal.

“Since I am thankfully still on speaking terms with Darcy,” Richard said as he concluded his tale, “and I wish to keep it that way, I will need to be in Hertfordshire in July for a wedding. I will not miss it.”

He leaned heavily on the back of the chair in which he had earlier been sitting. The weight of all that had transpired still hung on his shoulders. It was a weight he both felt he should bear, and yet knew it was only there by his own doing. Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet – everyone had forgiven him. It was just he, himself, who was the hold out in that regard.

“By the by, thank you for your letter.” Whether it had eased Darcy’s mind or not was nearly immaterial, for it had been an exoneration of sorts in the court of Richard’s own mind — of sorts, because a removal of all guilt had still not been accomplished.

“It was the least I could do.” Edmund shifted uneasily in his chair. “This is not a position I relish to be honest.” He cast a wary look at his sister. “No matter what some may think.”

Richard bit back a smile. He knew exactly to whom his friend was referring. Perhaps such an admission would go a good distance in calming the recent disagreements between sister and brother.

“But he will still fulfill all its duties as if he does,” that very sister muttered quite unhappily.

Richard chuckled. “Would you truly have it any other way?”

She shrugged but admitted she would not.

“It is the best way to be to make sure the job is done as it should be,” Richard added so Edmund would not have to do it, and peace could remain in the room.

“There was no damage done to either of your relations?” Edmund asked.

“None to their persons beyond a few blisters and scratches from being moved from one place to another. However, time will tell what other effects linger.” Richard retook his seat and Harriet’s hand.

Edmund nodded. “And the maid is in good hands.”

There was a weightiness to the simple comment.

“I am just grateful she did not end up like Penny,” Harriet said softly. “But still… Her feelings of shame and fears about disease…” She shook her head. “The poor dear.”

Richard squeezed her hand. “She has a good home and the best mistress for which any maid could wish to serve.”

This earned him a small smile. His Harriet was a lady of great passion to see that right ruled the day, but that desire bubbled forth not from a need to be seen as great and noble as some might. Rather it proceeded naturally from a heart that overflowed with care for others. That was from where Elizabeth’s courage to see to Georgiana’s safety also flowed, he supposed. And from whence his burden of guilt sprang.

“On a happier note…” Harriet’s eyes dance with amusement and her lips wore a smirk as she cast a glance first, at her brother and then, Richard.  “I do think I will like your soon-to-be cousin, Elizabeth. She does not sound at all dull and boring.”

“You will get on well,” Richard assured her with a laugh, while Edmund groaned. “She has always possessed quite the indomitable spirit. I am glad she was there for Georgiana.”

“If I am not already married and in my own home, we will have to have a dinner and invite the Darcys to it when they are returned to town, Edmund.”

“We will do that,” her brother agreed, though he looked rather uneasy at the thought. As well he should.

Richard would feel sorry for his unease, save for the fact that he was still somewhat put out with the fellow for his part in hiding Mrs. Younge’s connection to Wickham.

He blew out a breath. “Now, what is it that prevents me from marrying your sister straightaway?”

Harriet rose to pour the tea, which had been brought in somewhere in the midst of Richard’s report on the events in Hertfordshire. “Yes,” she said, “I would like to know that as well, for I am of the belief that I could be of greater service to the colonel and whatever you have for him to do as his wife.”

“Harriet,” the word rumbled from her brother. “I will not have you put yourself any further into this mess than you have already put yourself.”

She stopped moving with the teapot poised but not yet tipped to pour into a cup. “This mess? Do you mean the whole kidnapping maids to shuffle them from brothel to brothel?”

“Harriet!” This time Edmund’s tone was sharp. “Must you speak so plainly?”

“I am talking to you – my brother – and Richard, the man whom I am going to marry. I do not see the need to pretend as if I am too stupid to know about such things.” She gave Edmund a glare before she returned to pouring tea. “Now answer my question.”

Her brother pushed up from his chair and crossed to the door to his study.

“Leaving the room will not dissuade me from discovering the truth,” she called after him.

“Perhaps a trip to Gretna Green would not be such a bad thing,” Edmund spat back.

“No,” Richard inserted, “we will marry properly.”

“Of course, we will,” Harriet whispered to him. “But I am still irritated with him for waiting so long to allow you to offer for me. I most sincerely must make sure he does not forget that I am capable of dealing with hard things.”

Richard captured her hand after she had given him his cup of tea and placed a kiss in her palm. “I think you have done a good enough job of that, and I am now able to speak for you, too. Perhaps it is time to desist in riling him – at least, some?”

“Perhaps,” she said before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his just as her brother re-entered the library and grumbled her name yet again.

“That part of annoying him, you may keep doing,” Richard whispered, causing her to laugh.

“I am still awaiting your answer, my dear brother.” She went to the tea tray to retrieve his cup of tea.

He handed a paper to Richard. “The shop owner who sold Andrew’s watch to Harriet apparently stumbled into the Thames last night.” He paused and looked to his sister, who had gasped. “His body was found in nearly the same place where Penny was found.”

(There’s a new part of this story dropping tomorrow in the Broadsheet, so it’s time to give last month’s part it’s own post so it can be found more easily.)

Find previous chapters here.

---

Many hours later, Richard dismounted his horse in front of Lillesley House in Leicester Square. He had both a report and a petition to be made before he could retire for the night – and he was weary. Just not weary enough to wait to see Harriet until tomorrow. Therefore, he had sent word that he would give his report today.

He handed his horse to a groom and drew three deep breaths as he rolled his shoulders and shook out his legs. He looked at the time on his watch. It was only ten minutes past the time when he said he hoped to arrive. Lillesley should be waiting.

With that thought in mind, he turned toward the door, but before he could do more than begin to ascend the steps, that very door opened. A grin split his face as he saw who it was who had come to welcome him.

“Has your brother fired the butler and given you, his position?” he teased the pretty lady who held the door open. “Perhaps as a punishment for not doing something he thought you should?”

Harriet Phillips laughed and shook her head. “You will be please, and perhaps shocked, to know that I have not provoked him since before your last visit.”

Which had been less than a week ago, but, knowing Harriet as he did, that was a noteworthy feat.

“May I take your hat?” She held out her hand in expectation of his compliance. She never expected anything less than acquiescence to her petitions – or demands, as the case might be.

And that was why it was notable that she had not provoked her brother in the short time since he had last seen her, for her brother’s temperament was just as unyielding. Though to be honest, Harriet was often the victor in any standoff with her brothers. Edmund had a soft spot in his heart for his youngest sister that was nearly as deep as Andrew’s had been. Not that one would know it if one were to witness one of their battle of wills.

Richard doffed his hat but hesitated in handing it to her. The rule at Lillesley House was that he was to keep all of his things with him when visiting Edmund on official business, and this was a visit of that sort – at least, in part.

“I will put it on the table in the little library,” she said, as if she knew what had caused him to pause.

And this was one reason why she tended to get her way. She was excellent at anticipating objections and providing a solution.

“In that case, you may have it,” he said, handing her his hat. “It is good to see you, Harry, but as you most assuredly know, I am here to see your brother.”

“For more than just business, I hope.” She gave him a playful smile that shone in her eyes.

“As do I,” he agreed, as she closed the door behind him.

“A moment please, Colonel,” she said before he could begin the short trudge down the hall to the little library.

When he turned towards her, she rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his. Her brother would be far less than pleased to see such a demonstration in the entry to his house, but Richard was not. His right arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close as he returned her kiss.

“Harriet!”

Richard broke their kiss at Edmund’s bellow.

“I will thank you not to accost our guest in the hall.”

Harriet’s cheeks were rosy, but her eyes were filled with defiance. Goodness! She was a delicious sight to behold. At least, when that defiance was directed at her brother on his account.

“I am not accosting our guest. I am simply welcoming him and reminding you that this is the man I intend to marry.” She stepped around Richard and began walking towards the little library.

“Yes, well, that will come … in time,” Edmund replied.

Richard’s left eyebrow rose of its own accord as he followed Harriet. In time? What exactly did that mean?

“Before Christmas,” Harriet replied.

“Perhaps and then, again, perhaps not,” her brother answered.

Harriet placed Richard’s hat on the table inside the little library and turned towards Edmund. “Before Christmas.”

“Spring might be better,” he replied in a soft and somewhat cajoling tone.

A scheme was in play – likely not one of Lillesley’s making, but a scheme none the less. Richard shook his head. This was the part of his current profession that he found both exhilarating and bothersome.

It was exhilarating because the objective was often shifting and moving forward. It was bothersome because the shifts and moves were not always predictable and rarely in his power to make of his own free will.

“Am I still able to offer for her? Or will I be led along a merry path that includes some other task that must be completed first?” Richard demanded.

“No, no. You are free to make your offer – though it does seem a bit redundant to do so since she has made it abundantly clear that she will not marry anyone else.” He gave his sister a piercing glare before turning back to Richard. “However, I do not know how long the next part of sorting out this…” He waved his hand in a small circle. “Situation will take.”

Richard sighed. It was as he had suspected. The next step must be made quickly. Mr. Wickham and Mrs. Younge were only the beginning of uncovering what was afoot.

“Surely, it will not take nearly half a year.” Richard could hear the annoyance in Harriet’s tone as she mounted her protest. “Indeed, it would not, if you would let me help you.”

“No!” Richard and Edmund said in unison.

She huffed and crossed her arms. “I found that watch much faster than you would have.”

“I will grant you that,” Edmund said, “but I am not entirely certain that that was in our best interest.”

Richard cocked his head. “What do you mean?”

“I will explain after I have had your report. Harriet, would you be so kind as to see that we have some refreshment?” Edmund asked.

She smiled. “It was ordered before the colonel had even dismounted his horse. Jimmy will arrive shortly with all that is needed.” She motioned to the chairs in the library. “Do you wish to meet here, or shall we go to your study?” She took a seat next to the chair Richard always sat in when he waited her for her brother in this room.

Edmund scowled. “Apparently, here is acceptable.” He sat down, and Richard followed. “Shall we begin with your report on how things stand in Hertfordshire?”

“That is one of the reasons why I am here.” The other reason was the feisty and precious lady who took his hand as soon as he was seated.

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam rested uneasily in a chair in the library at Netherfield. Miss Elizabeth and Georgiana had been returned. Wickham had been thwarted, and both he and Mrs. Younge were on their way, bound, to London. They would be disposed of quietly.

He took a sip of the port in his glass.

Disposed of was the right term. Wickham and Mrs. Younge were not the first ne’er-do-wells to have been apprehended by the network.

More than one had been found to have died in their sleep at Newgate before a proper trial had even been sought. They had not died of natural causes, of course, but they had found their just end.

And many others had found themselves passengers with an escort to various parts of the world. Far, far, away from England proper. More than a few of these individuals had been “lost” at sea.

It was all done quietly and in as tidy a fashion as could be done. One day there was a troublemaker in society. The next, there was not.

He had no part in that. His role was merely to sort out the victims from the perpetrators. He wasn’t even sure who decided what happened to the men and women they caught. It wasn’t Lillesley. That much he knew. Someone with more power sat above his friend.

He sipped his port again. Truth be told, he did not want to know.

“I hear you are leaving soon?” Richard’s mother said as she entered the library.

He nodded and smiled. “I only need to speak to Darcy and Father.” 

“It is good to see your smile.” She tousled his hair as she was wont to do all his life. It was her way of letting him know that he was still her little scamp. “It is a relief to have this ordeal over with.” She took a seat across from him.

“It is.” His blew out a breath. “I did not know Mrs. Younge knew Wickham.”

She smiled sadly and nodded. “I know you did not, and so does Darcy. We all know you would never knowingly put Georgie in danger.”

He nodded slowly. That was true, but despite that fact, he had, in fact, put his cousin and charge in grave danger. Of course, he doubted that such a thing would ever happen again. He would ask far more questions about his assignments going forward. Lillesley was a good friend, but even a good friend had to earn back his trust once it had been broken.

Besides, he had read the letter that Darcy had received from Lillesley. Therefore, he knew that his friend had felt his part in the kidnapping of Elizabeth and Georgiana fully.

The library door opened, and both his father and Darcy entered. He stood.

“I am off in an hour,” he said. “However, I did not want to leave without once again apologizing for not checking Mrs. Younge’s credentials as you wanted to do.”

Darcy shook his head. “You have apologized for that five times now – or is it six? I think we have canvassed it enough. It will not happen again.”

“No. It will not.”

“Is that all you needed to tell me?” Darcy asked. “If so, you have waited for nothing.”

Richard chuckled. “I had another reason. I have finally received permission to ask Miss Phillips to marry me.”

“Oh! That is wonderful news, is it not, dear?” His mother’s cry of delight was directed at his father.

“It is, indeed,” his father replied. “It is about time. I said she would be perfect for you years ago. What finally convinced her brother to see reason?”

Richard chuckled. “He did not tell me, but according to Harriet, he wishes to for me to have to deal with her instead of him. She apparently took it upon herself to prove to him that he did not need to worry about her marrying someone with a somewhat dangerous profession.”

His smile grew tight as he remembered her telling him about finding her brother’s watch. Her older brother, Andrew, had gotten too close to finding answers that someone wanted to keep hidden, and it had ended his life.

“She is a smart lady,” his mother said. She always seemed to know when he was troubled.

“I have extracted a promise from her to keep herself safe for my sake.”

“Then, she will do it,” Darcy inserted. “You were the only one she would never cross when you were younger, was she not?”

Darcy had heard many of the tales about the adventures Richard had gone on as a young lad while in company with Edmund Phillips – now Lord Lillesley. They had rarely ever adventured without a little shadow following them. Sometimes with permission. Other times secretively.

Harriet was born to be a spy. She had a natural bent for deciphering things, reading the lay of the land, and staying hidden – or almost so. He had often known she as there before anyone else had. That did not mean, however, that she was not good at going unseen.

“We will have a dinner in your honour upon our return,” Richard’s father said. “Whenever you are available to join us.”

“I will tell Harriet.” He drained the rest of the port from his glass.

“And when I am returned to town, we will go over all the papers necessary.” His father held up a finger. “Do not leave without the note I am about to write.” He opened the drawer of the desk that stood in front of one of the windows and took out a sheet of paper.

“There is a ring that my mother left for you to give to your wife if you wish to do so. Do not think you do. It is only an option. Take this…” He paused as he started writing. “Take this to my solicitor, and then, go to my dressing room. There is a hidden drawer in the top right hand of my wardrobe. I believe you know where that is.”

His pen stopped as he gave Richard a pointed look. “There is only one ring in there. It is not extravagant, but it is lovely. It has a ring of pearls with a small diamond in the center, and there are golden flowers on each side where the band joins the stones.” He put his pen away. “Everything else in that drawer is for after you are married.” Again, he favoured Richard with a pointed look.

“I am no longer eight, Father. I believe I can be trusted to not use what I find a pirate treasure.” That is how he had used what he had found there those many years ago.

“No, no, you are not, but I am still your father. Therefore, some instructions bear repeating.” He folded the missive he had just written. “Will you tell Lawrence of your good fortune before you leave?”

Richard nodded. “Is he in the house?”

“He went for a ride to the south,” his mother replied. “Look for the biggest tree, and you will likely find him under it.”

“And please say your farewells to both Georgiana and Elizabeth,” Darcy said. “They will both want to know your happy news, and no, I will not tell them for you.” 

Richard sighed but nodded his agreement. “You can tell Bingley.”

“I will. And I will also walk you out.”

“I am going to my room first.”

“I figured as much,” Darcy said with a grin as he held open the door to the library so that Richard to exit in front of him.