A Secret Code

by Jacki Delecki

  He didn’t say it, but by the way his eyebrows were pinched together and his jaw stiff, he might as well have added, “Again.”

  “Peters, take Miss James and her maid to Rathbourne House. Make sure no one follows you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You’ll be safe with Peters.” Reggie grabbed her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her fiercely for anyone to see. His warm breath moved against her lips. “Don’t you dare get hurt. Promise me.”

  “I promise. But you have to promise me you won’t get injured either.”

  Joie’s knees were weak, and she almost stumbled when he stepped away.

  “Stay at Rathbourne House until I return with Lady Henrietta.”

  He signaled, and three men emerged from the bushes. With the men following, he ran down the path toward Buckingham Palace and Westminster.

  Chapter Nine

  Reggie sprinted toward the exit from Hyde Park. His mind raced through the possible scenarios if the French captured Lady Henrietta. They would start with questioning her, and then, if her ladyship didn’t give up England’s secrets, torture would follow. Their goal would be to gain information about her work and then about her husband’s. Lady Henrietta was doubly valuable to the French. Would they try to take her to France and use her as a bargaining chip? Or kill her after they extracted the information to bring down her devastated husband, the head of intelligence? Losing either would be a significant blow against England.

  Reggie couldn’t allow himself to consider any outcome other than he would arrive in time to rescue her. And he had to trust that Lewis would protect her with his life.

  His training took over as he cleared his mind. His breathing evened as he pushed his body harder. His mind sharpened, his muscles tightened, and his heart rate slowed. Like a spark to kindle, his body ignited in battle mode.

  He heard the footfalls of his soldiers behind him, the sound of birdsong. He was aware of the blossoming flowers, the shouts of children, and the laughter. In this state of heightened awareness, his mind was attuned to every sound and sight.

  Reggie estimated that Lady Henrietta’s walk, hindered by her gown and her small footsteps, would take at least thirty minutes. The rescue party might be able to catch up with Lady Henrietta and Lewis. An attack in the park on such a busy day would be difficult, attracting a lot of attention. And despite her ladyship’s mild manner, he knew that Lord Rathbourne had trained her to scream and fight back.

  Reggie had less than a quarter mile to reach the new Abchurch offices. Lord Rathbourne had moved the intelligence service closer to the palace, Westminster, and his estate for expediency in sharing intelligence during wartime.

  He picked up the pace, dodging the strollers. Both Reggie’s and Lewis’s great heights were an advantage if Lewis was still in the park. Reggie would be able to spot the Welsh soldier amidst the throng.

  He and his men were attracting a lot of interest. There was nothing covert about their dash through Hyde Park. He led the men off the main path to a side path, following the route that her ladyship would most likely take. The path narrowed, with fewer people enjoying the weather. This stretch gave the French an opportunity to strike.

  His heart and lungs were pumping in rhythm with his feet. No sighting of Lady Henrietta or Lewis.

  If Reggie’s instincts were correct, Benning was using the change in Lady Henrietta’s routine to his benefit. The doctor’s visit followed by the unexpected trip to see her husband gave him the chance to act. Lady Henrietta was healthy and never had visits with her doctor. Reggie would wager her ladyship was enceinte and eager to share her exciting news with her husband.

  Another reason to ensure that her ladyship wasn’t harmed.

  Benning had grown suspicious, most likely over the close scrutiny of his actions. With his cover discovered, he had nothing to lose, and the French had a lot to gain. And Joie had been correct. Benning was arrogant. Taunting his enemies was not the response of a trained covert operator but of an egotistical and desperate man.

  The trees thinned, and Reggie could smell the horse manure and the sound of hawkers and wagon wheels creaking. He ran into Knightsbridge Street, looking both ways for Lady Henrietta.

  Lewis’s head protruded above the people walking toward Hyde Park Corner. Reggie couldn’t see Lady Henrietta because of her small stature and the crush.

  Reggie raced, shoving bystanders out of the way to get to Lewis. He considered shouting, but he didn’t want to draw Lewis’s attention from her ladyship or to alert Benning.

  The crowd moved forward to cross the busy thoroughfare of Knightsbridge. Reggie watched Lewis’s head swivel to look behind him. Had he spotted Benning?

  Reggie scanned the throng going about their business on a fine spring day. He didn’t see Benning or anyone else who looked out of place.

  To reach the safety of Abchurch, Lady Henrietta just needed to cross the street and walk fifteen paces.

  As the crowd thinned, Reggie glimpsed Lady Henrietta. Lewis had placed himself in the line of fire, walking in front, clearing a path to cross the busy road.

  Reggie was five yards behind them. He pushed his way past two older women.

  “I beg your pardon.”

  He was almost in touching distance when he heard a coach barreling down Knightsbridge.

  Lewis turned to grab Lady Henrietta’s hand to pull her to safety, but she had been shoved from behind as people scrambled to escape the path of the coach. She stumbled and fell to the ground.

  Benning was at the reins and was headed straight toward Lady Henrietta. Reggie dove in front of the coach to grab her, his shoulder hitting the road before he rolled with her out of the path of the oncoming vehicle. Reggie covered her with his body. The ground vibrated, and the thunderous sound of hooves reverberated in his ears. Reggie’s hair lifted with the whoosh of air as the coach careened past them. The driver tried to regain control, but the coach pitched sideways before it rolled onto two wheels and crashed on its side.

  Reggie’s men rushed to the coach as Reggie lifted himself off her ladyship. Lady Henrietta was covered in dirt. He had knocked off her bonnet, which lay crumpled on the ground. Her hair hung over one eye.

  “Was the coach purposefully trying to hit me?”

  Reggie was about to check Lady Henrietta over before letting her rise when Lord Rathbourne came barreling toward them, shouting. “Henrietta, my God, Henrietta. Someone get a doctor.”

  Lord Rathbourne lifted his wife and pressed her against his chest. His eyes were glassy. Was it possible that the rock of England’s intelligence had tears in his eyes?

  “Cord, I’m fine. Dirty and shaken up, but I truly am not injured. Talley saved me.”

  “Thank you.” Lord Rathbourne’s voice cracked. “I will never be able to repay you.”

  Talley felt heat spreading up his neck to his ears. “It isn’t necessary, my lord. It’s my job.”

  “Not everyone can perform their job as you have done today.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Reggie bowed his head before stepping away from the couple to allow them privacy.

  Lord Rathbourne carried his wife to the office. Reggie could hear snippets of their conversation.

  “Why did you come to the office without telling me?”

  Lady Henrietta touched her husband’s face. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “My God, you did. I’m never allowing you to leave Rathbourne House ever again.”

  The cool and collected Lord Rathbourne was bellowing. Reggie could hear her ladyship’s giggle.

  And Reggie could sympathize with his lordship, thinking of Joie seeking out the flower girl. He, too, wanted to keep her secure in his house so that she would never take any risks. Husbands of intelligent and daring wives would always be flummoxed, challenged, and blissfully happy.

  Epilogue

  Joie smoothed the skirts of her blush ballgown instead of whirling like a demented dervish. She had the greatest urge to spin and
twirl, to hear the swish of the delicate fabric moving around her legs. To dance into the moonlight with Reggie.

  The exquisite gown amplified the perfect dreamlike evening. The silk gown with its elegant embroidery of roses and green leaves intertwined on the hem was the most beautiful garment she had ever seen.

  Joy and happiness bubbled close to the surface. The two men that she loved most stood on each side of her in the receiving line of her betrothal ball—something she had hoped and prayed for but had never dared to envision.

  The evening was a crush and, thankfully, without a hint of scandal or mention that Lord Ayer had accidently fallen into the Serpentine when he bent to recover’s Joie’s dropped glove. The memory of Lord Ayer screaming like a child would warm her heart for years to come. The entire ton was drawn to the ball, not by her scandalous behavior but by the mystery surrounding her fiancé.

  She gazed up at Reggie, attired in his full regimental uniform, his Knight of Commander medal pinned to his chest next to the others citing his bravery. His hair was brushed back dramatically, with one lock falling over his brow. His strong profile with his angular jaw and sculpted cheekbones made him a strikingly handsome man. Beyond his masculine beauty, she loved him for his strength of character, dedication to country, and his skillful kisses. She admitted that the last quality might be a bit shallow but, from her limited experience, it was vital for marriage.

  “I wish your mother was here to see your success and your brilliant match.” Her father’s eyes weren’t shuttered like usual but instead shone with pride. “I’ve fulfilled my promise to your mother that you would be the belle of the season.”

  Joie squeezed her father’s arm. “I wish she could be here too. She would be happy that we are together.”

  After witnessing Lord Rathbourne’s reaction to his wife nearly being run over by Benning, Joie had new insight into both her father and Reggie.

  The silent and contained lord had a look of terror on his face as he carried his wife into Rathbourne House, shouting for servants and doctors. How devastated her father must have been that he also had no control when her mother died from a fever.

  The only way men could ignore their feelings of vulnerability was to be overprotective. Women felt the same powerlessness. Loving someone so deeply that you would rather die yourself was not easy and not for the fainthearted. But that devotion gave life its true meaning.

  And her true meaning was to protect Reggie in any way she could.

  With her new understanding, she had made a decision. Reggie’s work was difficult and dangerous enough without her adding to his worry by involving herself in his assignments. She wanted to make his life easier. She loved him.

  Joie listened to another lady congratulate Reggie on his knighthood. He thanked her with the same response that he had given every woman and man who had passed through the line. “Thank you for your wishes. Because of the war, my service to His Highness must remain undisclosed.”

  Lord Rathbourne must have realized that the secrecy would fuel the fire of the ton’s insatiable appetite for gossip. Reggie’s heroic act had to remain a secret. The outcry and fear of a French spy attacking a lady in the streets didn’t instill confidence. Benning’s death was explained away as a drunken accident, not a spy’s futile attempt to kill Lady Henrietta and seek revenge when his cover had been blown. What no one knew was that Benning was alive and being held for questioning. Reggie hadn’t given up his mission to find the tutor’s connections to the spy ring and to make Benning and all his conspirators pay for their treason.

  As if conjured by her thoughts on the covert work done to protect England, Lord Rathbourne arrived with Lady Henrietta on his arm. Her ladyship looked stunning in a simple high-waisted gown. Although the forest-green gown was unremarkable, Lady Henrietta looked beautiful. Her face glowed, and the mossy color of the dress intensified the green in her sparkling eyes.

  “I hear your knighthood has made quite a stir. And I expect from the attendance at tonight’s event, everyone wants the real news,” Lord Rathbourne said.

  Joie felt Reggie stiffen, his jaw jutting out in his stubborn way.

  “I hope that the success of the ball is due to the goodness and beauty of my fiancée.”

  “Nicely said.” Lord Rathbourne nodded to Joie. “Talley is right in reminding me of my manners. May I wish you all the happiness in the world on your betrothal. And if all of your dances are not spoken for, it would be my pleasure to partner you.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” Joie curtsied when she wanted to embrace him. Now that would cause a scandal.

  Lord Rathbourne had recommended Reggie for knighthood, ensuring him a title, and thus gaining her father’s acceptance of the betrothal. Lord Rathbourne was very grateful to Reggie for saving his wife’s life, but Joie guessed that his recommendation to the king was partially because he wanted to please his wife. How could Joie not care about this man?

  “Your Grace,” Lord Rathbourne acknowledged her father, who was more than a bit miffed that even with his powerful stature, he wasn’t privy to the reason Reggie was knighted.

  Lady Henrietta’s eyes traveled over Joie as she curtsied to her ladyship. “You do look lovely, Miss James. I hear that your dress was designed by my dear friend.”

  “Lady Brinsley was adamant on having a say in the design. We cannot thank you enough for all that you and Lord Rathbourne have done for us.”

  “My wife and I will always remain in the lieutenant’s debt.”

  Lady Henrietta smiled graciously. “Your Grace, I’ve heard that your protégé is also engaged to be married.”

  “Yes, it pleases me that Landry has made a sound match like my daughter.”

  Albert immediately chose a bishop’s daughter when he learned of Joie and Reggie’s engagement. Joie felt badly for the poor woman, who must have been second on his list since she wasn’t the daughter of an archbishop.

  “This has worked out splendidly for all parties involved.” Lady Henrietta’s eyes were lit with mischief, knowing darn well that she had outmaneuvered Joie’s father.

  “Indeed,” her father grumbled. He might be softening toward Joie and Reggie’s marriage, but he would never be generous in defeat.

  Lord Rathbourne led his wife into the ballroom.

  “Come along, my dear. I see that Aunt Euphemia has arrived and is engaged rather forcefully with Jenkinson, the Home Secretary.”

  Joie could hear the orchestra warming up its instruments.

  “Miss James.” Reggie offered his arm. “May I escort you into the ballroom?”

  The huskiness in Reggie’s voice was palpable on her skin, heightening her awareness of his heat and masculine scent of smoke and sandalwood. Finally, she would publicly claim Reggie as her own. How shortsighted of men to think they were the only ones who felt possessive. Joie hadn’t missed the open appraisal of Reggie by the ladies as they were presented. She watched them drop their eyes and flutter their fans to attract attention to their well-endowed bosoms. And she made a note of which ones she’d be sure to keep from Reggie’s notice.

  “I would be most delighted.”

  Joie surprised her father by hugging him before taking Reggie’s arm. He stiffened in response to her sudden lunge and then patted her on the shoulder.

  “I’m so happy, Father. Thank you.”

  Reggie led her through the crowded ballroom. He refused to stop to speak to anyone but settled them into a private alcove to wait for the music to begin.

  “Reggie, it is rude not to mingle and chat with our guests.”

  He grinned at her, his full lips curving into a downright devilish grin. “Is that so? Well, hang our guests. All they want to know about is my knighthood. I’ve had to watch you dance with other men for over a month; tonight you’ll dance only with me. And, of course, Lord Rathbourne. But no other man.”

  “Reggie, it will cause a scandal.”

  “No, what is going to cause a scandal is later when I take you out into the garden and
don’t return.”

  Joie felt the blush rise in her face, and her heart leapt at the way his voice pitched deeper with his promise.

  “You can do no wrong with Lady Henrietta and Aunt Euphemia as your patrons. There will be no scandal. We’re given leeway now that we’re a betrothed couple. And now that Lady Henrietta has asked you to contribute your knowledge of Latin and Greek to the code breakers, you need never worry about causing a scandal.”

  “I would never want to embarrass either of the ladies, especially after all they’ve done for us. And I won’t have my father embarrassed when we’re finally finding a way to mend all the hurt.”

  Reggie hadn’t stopped grinning. “So no rendezvous in the garden?”

  “I’ve declined Lady Henrietta’s offer. I don’t believe she will ever need my assistance. I think she was trying to help me again. From my recent visits with Uncle Charles, I’ve surmised that the entire Harcourt family, but especially Henrietta, are brilliant linguists. I was a model student because I was trying to gain my father’s approval, but it was never my passion.”

  “Is this your way of telling me that I’m your newest passion? I wholeheartedly support the change.”

  “You’re incorrigible.” She couldn’t help but laugh. “I’d like to use part of my dowry to help the flower girls. I’ve never paid much attention to their plight, but I want to make sure that they have food and shelter.”

  “You know how to deflate a man’s pride.”

  “Reggie, what has gotten into you?”

  “I’m happy. I feel like the luckiest man in the world to have won a warm and loving woman. A woman who cares about street urchins and a lonely soldier who didn’t know he was lonely until a black-haired minx came racing into his life. You are to be my wife. Does it not make you happy?”

  “Deliciously, delightfully so.”

  Reggie pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He took possession of her lips and her heart.