A Secret Code

by Jacki Delecki

  Reggie suspected that the tutor was the mole, but he didn’t want to act on his suspicion yet. Benning, of all the staff and servants, had the most opportunity to pass information since he had access to the library where the code breakers worked and left the estate frequently with his charge. On his arrival from Rye, Reggie had arranged that Benning was never to be unsupervised in the library.

  Reggie directed Ford, his predecessor in charge of the Rathbournes’ security, to keep track of the tutor whenever he left the estate. Benning regularly had outings with Uncle Charles and Edward. Both Harcourts were oblivious of anything transpiring around them when they were engrossed in an intellectual topic, which was most of the time.

  “Nothing different in his behavior for today’s trip to The Odd Set of Volumes. Benning left Uncle Charles at the main table to join his cronies and went to the rear of the library in the stacks, preventing a full view of his activity from my position at the door. He always lifts books off shelves and examines them or seems to be reading them. He always has his back to me. He didn’t meet with anyone today, and I never spotted anyone new or suspicious in the library.”

  “He didn’t reach into his pocket?”

  “He’s blown his nose once or twice but not today.”

  But today’s information from a previous employer that Benning had significant gambling debts solidified Reggie’s suspicions. Money was always a strong motive for treason.

  Reggie would find out how Benning was passing the information and then set a trap for the entire network. It had to be the regular trips to The Odd Set of Volumes, where Benning had freedom and access to hide the message. It was the logical conclusion.

  “Everything was the same except for the excitement that Miss James’s arrival had on the men.” Lewis chuckled. “Not that I can blame the old goats for lusting after her. She’s a fine lady who had all the gentlemen drooling. Besides being a looker, she’s real smart when she’s talking with Uncle Charles and his friends about Cicero and Hortense or someone.”

  Rage and shock filled Reggie’s lungs, inflating him like a hot air balloon. My God, it couldn’t be happening again. Joie was entangled in his assignment, placing herself in danger. How the hell had she managed to be in the company of his main suspect?

  “What’s the matter, sir? Your face is turning a purplish red. You look as though you might have an apoplectic fit.”

  Reggie exhaled loudly and tried to form words. “Why didn’t I know that Joie… Miss James accompanied the men to the library this afternoon?”

  Lewis, no fool, went on high alert. He sat up straighter in his chair.

  “Her presence today was a surprise to me. Her carriage arrived as we were leaving for the library. I didn’t know, sir, that you were acquainted with the lady. I meant no disrespect.” Lewis’s voice was laced with amusement.

  “Explain to me how a young woman who is newly known to Lady Henrietta was included in today’s family excursion with a possible spy?”

  As fear pulsated through his veins, Reggie reassured himself that Joie had been safe in Lewis’s care. The soldier was one of the best and wouldn’t have allowed anything to happen to her on his watch.

  “She must have made the plans last night with Uncle Charles when I found her in the family quarters. When I was requesting that she return to the ball, Uncle Charles came out of the library, and they struck up a conversation.”

  Reggie leaned over the desk. He was within striking distance of Lewis. And the need to connect his fist to Lewis’s face was overwhelming.

  “And you’re now reporting that a stranger was in the family quarters? Did you share Miss James’s appearance with Sergeant Ford?”

  Reggie felt satisfaction to see Lewis’s neck and face flush.

  “Everyone was busy with the ball. I didn’t see any harm in the lady’s appearance. She introduced herself to Uncle Charles. He knew her father from school days. And Mr. Harcourt was pleased to be in her company. I escorted them both to the ballroom.”

  “And what if the lady was a French spy who’d lied about who her father was?” Lewis was a good soldier, but he didn’t grasp the cunning of their enemy. “Uncle Charles is a friendly man whose judgment sometimes isn’t sound. Would you agree?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “At least you didn’t allow Uncle Charles to take her into the library. Not that Miss James poses a threat, but in another circumstance…”

  Lewis shifted his immense weight, causing the wood chair to creak. His hands tightened on his thighs.

  “Uncle Charles brought her into the library to leave his glasses on the table before making their way upstairs. Benning was in the library.”

  “Benning was unsupervised in the library?”

  “Yes, sir. Uncle Charles must have allowed him access. I was absent from my post because Lord Rathbourne had sent me on an errand for Lady Henrietta. All of the soldiers were being used for the preparation of the ball.”

  It was reassuring that he and the code breakers had anticipated the possibility of Benning using the ball to gain access. Reggie had made sure there was nothing of importance left in the library. Vital information was sent to the Abchurch offices.

  “Why wasn’t I alerted immediately?”

  “I couldn’t find you at the ball, and I had to return to guarding Lord Rathbourne’s study. There are always to be two of us at the post.”

  Of course, Reggie knew; he had set the system in place.

  “Do you have any idea how long Benning was unsupervised in the library?”

  “Less than five minutes. Uncle Charles came out of the library as I was detaining Miss James. And they returned to the library within minutes.”

  Reggie took a deep breath. There was nothing of importance on the tables where the Harcourts worked. Despite anticipating Benning sneaking into the library, Reggie was no further along in uncovering the method used by Benning to smuggle out the information.

  “Was there anything suspicious in how Benning responded to Miss James this morning?”

  “No, sir. He walked behind Uncle Charles and Miss James and then went his separate way after they returned to the estate.”

  “And where is Benning right now?” Reggie knew Benning was being watched but, if he thought he had something to share, he would be desperate to contact his handler.

  “Everything is under control. Benning is working on mathematics with Edward. Peters is guarding young Edward. Uncle Charles retired for a lie-down, and Miss James is having tea with Lady Henrietta in her ladyship’s drawing room.”

  “Did you make any stops on your way home that might have given Benning an opportunity to send a message?”

  “We made many stops in the park. All of the gentlemen from last evening wanted to pay their respects to Miss James.”

  Reggie ground his teeth together instead of saying every swear word he had acquired from his military years. Joie’s arrival had interrupted Benning’s search in the library and Reggie’s plan to unmask the ring. He assured himself that the tension in his jaw had little to do with jealousy prompted by hearing of the adulation from other men.

  “Did Benning interact with any of the gentlemen?”

  “There is a possibility that Benning gave a signal to the girl who approached us to sell her flowers. My focus was first on the girl to assess if she posed any threat to Uncle Charles and Miss James before I was able to watch Benning. He may have given her a subtle head shake.”

  “We’ve got the bastard!” Reggie slammed his fist on the table.

  “Do you think so, sir?”

  “Quite ingenious. The handler probably employs different flower girls to report whether the gentleman shakes his head yay or nay. And there is no way to track these girls since there are hundreds on the street.”

  “Should I take some men to bring her in for questioning?”

  “She’s already gone for the day. She doesn’t have to stay on the street selling the flowers when she gets paid after she delivers the message fro
m Benning. And, if I’m right, there will be a different girl tomorrow. It’s an inexpensive way of monitoring whether Benning sends a message.”

  The thrill of finally capturing the bastards resonated through him. The knowledge slowed his breathing and tightened his muscles in anticipation of winning.

  “Does Uncle Charles plan to go to The Odd Set of Volumes tomorrow?”

  “I think he would go every day if Miss James accompanied him.”

  Reggie knew that Lewis was trying to provoke a response from him, but that didn’t stop him from reacting.

  “Miss James is not getting anywhere near The Odd Set of Volumes or Benning. You are to report to me if she tries. I don’t care what else you’re supposed to be doing. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, sir.” Lewis’s tone was respectful despite the smirk.

  “I will arrange for Uncle Charles and Benning to go tomorrow. We will follow the flower girl covertly to trace her handler. Then we’ll set up surveillance on that person. It’s following the inner workings of a labyrinth, but we’ll eventually get to the nest of rats.”

  “I’d like to be part of the team to take the damn Frenchies down.”

  “You need to maintain your role as Uncle Charles’s bodyguard. We don’t want to alert Benning that we’re on to him by a sudden change in men.”

  “I understand, but having the bastard pretend to care about Uncle Charles and Master Edward… And act so superior to the servants. All puffed up. He’s a supercilious ass, and I want to get my hands on him.”

  “We have to stay focused on the bigger picture if we want to capture the entire ring. You need to report to Sergeant Ford what transpired with Benning and the lapse in protocol. You needn’t report anything about Miss James. I will be handling her.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Reggie followed Lewis quickly out of the room.

  It was time to have a little tete-a-tete with Miss Joie James to lay down the rules. She was not to come to Rathbourne House until Benning was in custody.

  Chapter Seven

  Reggie took the stairs two at a time to Lady Henrietta’s drawing room. The intense physical movement helped to reduce his fury to simple screaming frustration. Maintaining his composure and not giving Lewis any clue about his reaction to Joie being near Benning had depleted his restraint.

  Last night’s annoyance from the ball coupled with Joie’s trip to the library with Benning pushed him right to the edge of his well-honed control.

  He didn’t wait to be announced but thrust the door open well ahead of the footman-soldier.

  Reggie halted mid-step. Aunt Euphemia was sitting next to Joie on the settee. Her signature turban was festooned with a bird’s nest. Could the day get any worse? Lord Rathbourne’s aunt was crafty and didn’t miss anything.

  “Oh my, Talley. You’ve been spending too much time with my nephew. You’ve acquired the same thunderous scowl.” The older woman patted her lips with her napkin. “Don’t you agree, Henrietta?”

  Lady Henrietta laughed. “My goodness, you might be right. Will you join us for tea? Or did you come to ask if Miss James would like to accompany you in the garden? You appear to have something important you wish to say to her.”

  Reggie’s hands clenched at his side. Both Aunt Euphemia, a former agent during the French Revolution, and Lady Henrietta assumed that his black mood was due to Joie’s success last night rather than the danger she had placed herself in.

  Why should he be jealous that Joie had the entire male population at her feet? Though he was man enough to admit they were right. He was jealous after hearing of all the men seeking Joie at the park and after watching her the previous night in other men’s arms. But he refused to give voice to the niggling fear that Joie would change her mind about marrying him.

  “Miss James, I’m surprised that you aren’t exhausted after the ball and the demands of dancing the entire night.” He wished he could now reclaim his words. He had been happy that her reentry into society was celebrated and that she wasn’t shunned.

  Aunt Euphemia muffled her snort behind her napkin.

  “I don’t find myself tired at all. I had the most stimulating morning with Uncle Charles.”

  Reggie controlled his need to mention the danger or all the men in the park with an attentive audience.

  “Miss James has been wonderful with Uncle Charles today. Seeing what Miss James’s attention has done for him has been enlightening. My poor uncle needs more company and lively conversation. He was alert and engaged in ways I haven’t seen for months. I’m happy that Miss James accompanied my uncle to the library today,” Lady Henrietta said.

  Inexplicably, Charles had days when he was brilliant and able to attend to his work, and other days when he floated in his memories. It had been agreed to limit his interactions to family and a tight circle of acquaintances to prevent him from sharing the secrets of the clandestine work he and his family did.

  Why didn’t the intelligent women perceive that Benning was a threat to Joie? Of course, he and Lord Rathbourne had reassured Lady Henrietta that the soldiers would protect Edward and Uncle Charles from Benning if Reggie’s suspicions were correct. But this was Joie. Didn’t her ladyship understand the difference?

  “What Henrietta means is that she and I will be displeased if Miss James is not treated in the kindest manner.” If Aunt Euphemia’s imperious tone wasn’t clear enough, her direct look that skewered men into bumbling idiots was.

  Reggie couldn’t explain to the two ladies who were bent on protecting their little fledging that Joie had endangered herself without alerting Joie to his mission. And if Joie knew Benning was suspected of being the mole, there was no stopping her from interfering.

  “With your permission, I’d like to take Miss James for a stroll in the garden.”

  “Her carriage will arrive in the next hour,” Lady Henrietta warned.

  Joie placed her cup on the low table and stood.

  He hadn’t allowed himself to meet her eyes, not wanting the other women to see his feelings for this one woman bubbling so close to the surface, ready to erupt.

  She curtsied to both ladies. “Thank you for the most delightful day. I hope I can soon visit Uncle Charles again. You believe I’m helpful to Uncle Charles, but I’m benefitting more. He listens to me and respects my opinion. I’ve never experienced that from a gentleman before.”

  And Reggie’s anger dissipated like the steam from a boiling kettle. He wanted to take her into his arms and hold her. He wanted to listen to all her opinions on Cicero and whatever else held her interest. What damage had her overbearing father done to her? And now he was about to behave like her tyrannical father, bending her to his will.

  “It is a conundrum for men to understand that women also like to be appreciated for their minds, isn’t it, Lieutenant? It is a challenge for most men, but I do believe Henrietta is right. You are up for the challenge.”

  He hated Aunt Euphemia’s perceptive stare boring into him, reading all the unfamiliar emotions and his illogical thoughts pummeling him.

  Reggie forced a smile and nodded to both ladies. He extended his arm to Joie and led her out of the room, knowing the ladies registered every moment between him and Joie. He couldn’t wait until this damn courting was done and he and Joie would be spared from the constant scrutiny.

  When the door closed, she leaned closer and whispered, “I was hoping that you would seek me out. I’ve so much to tell you. Mr. Benning might be the mole. He was in the library last night. If you had seen the surprised look on his face when Uncle Charles and I arrived, you’d recognize that he was guilty.”

  Her wide eyes glittered with exhilaration. “How easy for him to leave secret codes in the books at The Odd Set of Volumes. Don’t you agree?”

  With his brain spinning, Reggie was lost. “Replay of Rye,” he growled under his breath. Joie, observant and perceptive, had landed right in the middle of his mission exactly where he didn’t want her. But he couldn’t think of any
thing to say that wouldn’t disappoint her. She wanted to play a role in his life.

  “Your observations are completely accurate. You’re an amazing woman, Joie.”

  He placed his hand over hers, which was daintily perched on his arm, and led her along the hallway, gathering her cloak before leading her outdoors to their private grotto. Once they moved away from the house, Reggie confided, “Benning is most likely the mole. But I don’t have proof yet.”

  “Yes, he’s very clever and arrogant. I noticed when I was seated with Uncle Charles at the library, he positioned himself to the side, out of sight of the door. From my angle at the table, I was able to see his hands. He took nothing out of his pockets. Does he stand in the same place in the stack at each visit?”

  Brilliant and deductive, Joie had all the talents to be an agent. Would she be satisfied just to discuss Reggie’s work and not get involved? He couldn’t imagine allowing her to put herself in harm’s way.

  “It would be a lot simpler if he didn’t change, but he never stands in the same area.”

  He led her toward the bench. She was the epitome of a gently bred lady in her flowered muslin dress, her thick hair twisted into a knot at her neck. It was a conundrum—a beautiful and sensitive young woman engaged in a critical conversation about dangerous French spies. As a blossoming young woman in her first season, she deserved to be protected. He wanted to spare her from the evils of the world, but paradoxically, the ladies who had chosen to nurture her were not women who wished to be sheltered from the world.

  “I knew he was too cunning. All you would need to do is examine the books where he positions himself. His egotism will be his downfall. What will you do next?”

  Her eagerness to be a partner was endearing and contagious.

  Reggie noted that she didn’t say “we”—maybe a good sign or maybe not. Having her near to him, away from everyone for this brief time, left him unwilling to discuss Benning or his assignment. If truth be known, he didn’t want to talk at all.

  The flecks of sunlight highlighted her hair, creating an almost blue hue. He wanted to unfasten her thick hair and thread his fingers through the mass. He wanted to be the only man who saw her hair unbound. Heat and need pulsed through his body.