My Gentleman Spy (The Duke of Strathmore Book 5)

by Sasha Cottman

  The conversation was interrupted at this point by the return of Mrs. Little bearing a tray with a teapot and two cups. She sat them down on the bedside table.

  “Would you like some breakfast my dear?” she asked Hattie.

  It mattered little that Will was the master of the house and her employer, Mrs. Little's loyalties clearly lay with Hattie.

  “No thank you, but I am sure Mr. Saunders must be hungry,” replied Hattie.

  “Oh, I know he will be, his breakfast is already baking in the oven,” said Mrs. Little. She gave Will a happy smile.

  Will's already good opinion of the housekeeper lifted. Perhaps there was hope for him to become master of his own home.

  After Mrs. Little left, he leaned over and poured a cup of hot tea from the pot on the bedside table. He offered it to Hattie, but she waved it away.

  “My stomach is still not the best,” she replied.

  “That would be the laudanum we had to give you in the early hours. It was the only way the doctor could get you to stay still long enough to stitch your face. For an invalid you certainly put up a good fight. He was most displeased when you attempted to elbow him in the nose.”

  He sipped the tea, reminding himself to speak to Mr. Little about finding a decent supplier of coffee beans. Making the journey to the coffee house in Oxford Street each day just to get a palatable cup of coffee was a chore. Tea was a poor substitute for the silken black of South American coffee beans.

  “You were saying about your mother,” said Will.

  He needed to get the truth from Hattie if they were ever to move forward with their relationship.

  The thought pulled him up short. A relationship did exist between him and Hattie. An odd and at times uncomfortable one, but a relationship none the less.

  Defining and solidifying the true nature of that relationship would depend greatly on resolving their current domestic situation. While Hattie continued to reside under the same roof as him, Will knew she would never let her guard down long enough for him to have a chance to capture her heart.

  He set the cup down. A calmness now warmed his soul. He did want her heart.

  “My mother fully supported my father's desire to do good. She was the one who suggested we should work with the poor and indigent of London. Prayer was not enough. We had to do something in this life to right the injustices of the world. I suppose that was what eventually brought me over to their way of thinking. I grew up with the finest of everything. My father’s family comes from landed gentry. I have never in my life had to want for anything.”

  Her words were encouraging. Her story thus far made sense with all that Hattie had told him, and what his agents in London had been able to uncover. He sensed however that she was dragging out the tale to further delay the discussion of her brother.

  “Hattie, does Edgar pose a threat to you? When he discovers that you are in England, will he seek to put you on the first ship to Africa?”

  Experience had taught him well that dancing around a difficult subject was not a good idea. Getting to the truth of the matter meant that any resultant pain was dealt with more quickly.

  Hattie shook her head and Will’s hopes lifted.

  “No. Edgar would never do anything to harm me. And I can assure you that he would be the last person to send me after our parents. He was the one person I had hoped would save me from going,” she replied.

  Will did his best to dampen down his enthusiasm. He knew he was getting close to the heart of the matter. He decided to venture closer.

  “But he didn’t save you, did he? He didn’t arrive on his white charger. The fact is your knight in shining armor failed you. If it were me, rather than avoid him, I would want to know why. If he knew you didn’t want to go to Africa, then why did he abandon you?”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “This is the right thing to do. The only thing,” Will muttered to his reflection in the mirror.

  Day by day the barriers were coming down between Hattie and himself. Small but sure steps of progress were being made in his campaign to win her heart. Today he would take the first big step on the path he now saw set out before him. Today he would do as he and Hattie had agreed. He would meet with Edgar Wright.

  Contrary to his usual habits he was up early and ready to leave the house well before midday. Before heading to White’s, he planned to stop by his usual coffee house on Oxford Street and fortify himself with two strong cups of their best Brazilian coffee.

  Slipping out of the house, he made a point to avoid Hattie. He didn’t need her changing her mind at the last minute. She was recovering well from her injuries and only last evening had broached the subject of when Will thought she might be well enough to return to St. John’s.

  At White’s club, Will checked with the day attendant. True to his sources, the man confirmed that Edgar Wright was indeed in attendance at the club just before luncheon.

  It would have been simple enough to have called upon Hattie's brother at his home, but Will decided their first meeting should be in public. He had no way of knowing how Edgar would react to the knowledge that his unwed sister was living under the same roof as a young widower.

  He penned a note and asked that the club attendant pass it on to Edgar.

  While he waited, Will took a seat in an alcove. Seated facing the front door, he recited the first few words he planned to say. A well-rehearsed initial greeting always helped to establish control at the beginning of a meeting.

  The attendant soon returned and escorted Will to where Edgar Wright was seated.

  “Mr. Wright?”

  Edgar looked up and Will saw the look of recognition cross his face. Hattie’s brother rose from his chair and offered Will his hand.

  “We meet again. William Saunders at your service sir,” said Will.

  Once seated in the chair opposite to Edgar, Will took a minute to undertake a closer study of Hattie's brother. They were quite similar in looks. They shared the same warm brown eyes and light straw- colored hair. He was pleased to note that Hattie did not have the same long, almost equine facial features as did Edgar.

  “You sent a note asking to see me,” said Edgar.

  Will took in a long slow breath and fixed him with a steely gaze.

  “I have come about your sister,” he said.

  Edgar's eyes narrowed, mistrust evident in them. Their meeting at St. Paul’s cathedral had not been the sheer chance he had been led to believe.

  “If my sister has been troubling you or the members of your household for donations, I apologize. Rest assured that she will not be bothering you again for a very long time. If ever. My parents have taken her with them on a mission to Africa.”

  Will noted the tone of anguish in Edgar’s voice. He did not expect to ever see his sister again.

  “No, I have not come about her philanthropic work. What would you say if I told you that Hattie is in London and that she is living under my protection?” replied Will.

  Edgar's demeanor immediately changed. He leapt from his chair and stood over Will. His hands were held out in front of him ready to strike.

  “What have you done with her you blackguard? If you have hurt her I will end your very existence,” he said.

  The sideways glances from other members of the club set Will's nerves on edge. He did not like being the center of attention, even parties made him uncomfortable.

  “Please resume your seat Mr. Wright you are causing a scene. Until you do I will not continue this discussion. I have come here in good faith and with only the guarded blessing of your sister. If it were up to her, I would not be here at all. Now sit down,” said Will.

  The look on Edgar's face was one of shock. He was clearly not a man used to having another speak to him in such a fashion. He snorted at Will's command, but did as he was told.

  “Well?” said Edgar, resuming his seat.

  “Hattie is safe and living at your parent’s house. I have recently taken over the lease and reside at that
same address.”

  Considering Hattie's recent injuries Will knew his statement regarding Hattie’s state of health to be a misrepresentation of the truth. But since Edgar would discover the truth about Hattie soon enough, Will decided he didn't need to cloud the discussion with that piece of news.

  The first thing he needed to do was to establish trust.

  Will then spent the next half an hour or so retelling the story of how Hattie had jumped ship in Gibraltar, and how he had brought her back to London. Several delicate aspects of that tale Will decided it was best not to mention. It would not aid his cause if Edgar Wright thought Will had taken scandalous advantage of his vulnerable sister.

  “And she had been living downstairs all that time, unbeknown to you?” asked Edgar.

  Will adopted his best disinterested air. “Yes. It was quite a shock when I discovered her deception,” he replied.

  As soon as the words left his lips he watched closely for Edgar's reaction. Edgar sat back in his chair and took a deep breath. A simple move, but one which spoke volumes to Will. Hattie had just been called a liar and Edgar was making ready to defend her.

  Good. About time someone in your family gave a damn about her.

  “Though I fully understand her reasons. Hattie has explained the difficult situation which arose within your family before your parents left for Africa. She felt she could not approach you, and so took shelter with the two most trusted servants of the family,” added Will.

  His last words had the effect he desired on Edgar. Edgar’s shoulders dropped and his gaze fell to the floor.

  Sitting watching as the saddest of emotions played out across Edgar's face Will knew he had the true measure of the man. Edgar was exactly the kind of brother he had hoped he would be for Hattie.

  “Will she see me?” Edgar finally asked.

  Will stifled a self-satisfied smile as his plan played out before him.

  “That can be arranged. But firstly, we need to resolve the situation regarding her place of residence. As you can understand it is entirely inappropriate for her and I to dwell under the same roof while we are not married,” replied Will.

  Again, he chose his words carefully. Planting the first seeds of thought in Edgar's mind.

  “Of course.”

  “I was hoping you would take her into your home. It would allow the courting of your sister to be conducted in a more socially acceptable manner. We were forced to share a cabin on the boat back to England, and so I feel a deep obligation to offer for your sister’s hand in marriage,” said Will.

  Edgar looked Will up and down. Will knew when another was trying to take his measure. He silently granted his approval of Hattie's brother. She needed a champion on her side, someone who did not have motives of self-interest such as himself.

  “If you wish to court my sister I would need to know more about you Mr. Saunders. As you may be aware, Hattie was engaged to the young man who was accompanying my family to Africa. Something tells me that she may be a little warier of a second betrothal. It may take some convincing on your part. Hattie has at times been known to stubbornly stand her ground,” replied Edgar.

  Will chuckled. “You don't say. Anyone would think you considered your sister to have a will of her own.”

  Edgar scowled. “You are a brave man, I grant you that. But tell me William Saunders, are you intending to court Hattie just because you feel honor bound to offer for her hand, or do you hold genuine affection for her? She deserves to make a good marriage. I will not have her forced into a match not of her choosing.”

  Will decided his future brother in law deserved to be told as much of the truth as was possible. He hoped the discussion would not end with him having to face Edgar at dawn on Hampstead Heath with pistols drawn.

  “I do hold great affection for Hattie. You should also know that we shared a bed on the boat and matters of an intimate nature took place between us. That said, I did not ruin your sister. Reverend Brown had already forced his attentions on her before they left London. Unlike the situation with the reverend, it was Hattie’s decision to embark on our affair. It was also her decision to end it before we arrived back in London.”

  It was unseemly and disgusting to talk of Hattie in such a way. Will felt he was betraying her trust by informing her brother of such private matters.

  “I had already decided to offer for your sister before matters developed further between us. I did at first feel honor bound. Now I find the idea of making her my wife something which I look forward to doing. Which is why it’s imperative for her to move out of my house and into yours,” replied Will.

  Edgar sat silent for a time. Will’s revelations were enough to give pause to any man who valued his sister and her reputation.

  “Answer me this William, do you intend to bring Hattie back into the fold of the ton? My sister deserves better than to spend the rest of her days working in the filth and degradation of St. Giles.”

  Will nodded. If he had his way Hattie would never set foot in Plumtree Street again once they were wed.

  At those words, Edgar rose from his chair and offered Will his hand once more.

  “You do realize we are going to have a fight on our hands. Hattie will not want to move out of forty-three Newport Street, even if you are still residing there. As for her work among the poor, I don’t know how you will find a workable solution to that problem.”

  He called an attendant over.

  “Let us seal our agreement with a bottle of White’s finest, after which you shall accompany me back to my house in Newport Street. I wish you to speak with my wife. If anyone can help with our mutual cause, it is Miranda.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Hattie stood outside the closed door of her parent's formal drawing room trying without success to calm her breathing. Her knuckles ached from being repeatedly cracked.

  She looked down at her dress, there were no more invisible creases to smooth out.

  “You look fine my dear,” said Mrs. Little. She patted Hattie gently on the shoulder.

  When the door opened and Will stood on the threshold, Mrs. Little gave her an encouraging smile. Will held out his hand.

  “Come, Edgar is waiting,” he said.

  Hattie stepped into the room. The heartfelt speech she had spent the better part of the past day rehearsing sat ready on her lips. Edgar stood hands clasped in front of him by the window.

  His gaze immediately fell on the still healing deep cut on her forehead and he sighed. The Saunders’ family doctor had done an excellent job of close stitches, but Hattie would always bear a scar.

  They both took a tentative step forward toward the other.

  “Ed,” she barely managed. He put his arms out, ready to pull her into his embrace, but she stopped him.

  “I had an encounter with some unpleasant people recently. Much as I would love to wholeheartedly embrace you, it must be a gentle clasping of arms today.”

  He looked to Will.

  “What is this? You did not mention that my sister had been injured.”

  Will walked toward the door. They had agreed that Hattie would tell Edgar the story of what had happened to her at the hands of the Belton Street thugs.

  “I shall leave the two of you alone to get reacquainted,” said Will.

  “It’s alright Edgar. I shall explain. Thank you Will,” she said.

  Once Will had closed the door behind him. Brother and sister stood several feet apart staring at one another. Neither had hoped for this moment, for this miracle of reunion.

  “Oh H, thank god you are safe. Every day since you left has been a waking nightmare. Miranda has cried herself to sleep so many nights. I have torn myself apart with guilt.”

  Hattie stepped forward and gingerly put her arms around him. Edgar held her softly in his, as he would a small child. The tears Hattie had managed to hold back, finally won. Edgar meanwhile ruffled the top of her hair in the same affectionate way he had done when they were children. Hattie sobbed ever
harder at every stroke of his fingers.

  When he finally released her, and stepped back, she saw tears shining in his eyes. One of his huge, lopsided grins formed on his lips. She snuffled back the tears and chortled.

  “Anyone would think you were pleased to see me,” she said.

  “You have no idea,” he replied.

  They repaired to the comfort of the big floral couch which sat close to the window. A couch on which they had spent many hours seated side by side in the years before Edgar married and left home. She was grateful that Will had seen fit to keep it.

  “How is Miranda? I saw the two of you at St. Paul’s not long after I arrived back in London. Will tells me you have a son.”

  Edgar took hold of her hand and held it so tightly in his that Hattie feared he would never let go. Regret over not having sought him out that day at the cathedral brought more tears to her eyes.

  “We have been granted two miracles in a year. Long after we had given up hope we were graced with a son. He is the most perfect thing I have ever seen. Miranda cannot wait for you to meet your nephew,” he said.

  “What was your second miracle?” she replied.

  “You of course. Hattie, we never expected to see you again.”

  Edgar sucked in a deep breath.

  “Sebastian was born the day you sailed for Africa. Miranda and he both nearly died in childbirth. I had received your message and intended to confront papa the morning you were due to leave. But I could not leave Miranda’s side. It was only later that day when my wife and child were both safe, that I was able to finally leave the house in search of you. I rode like a madman to the dockside but your ship had already sailed. I cannot begin to tell you how many tears I wept at the dockside thinking I had lost you forever.”

  Hattie brushed a hand on her brother’s cheek. Edgar had been faced with a terrible dilemma. He had done the right thing in putting the safety of his wife and child first.