Page 59 of Let Me Be Your Hero
“King George?” Archibald raked a hand through his hair. “I would think the king would take our side, considering the British Army’s orders would be the ones pushed back were we to expedite those of Salaria.”
Still, he didn’t want the hassle of royal attention. “Tell the king I’ll meet with him tomorrow.”
McPherson’s eyes shone with relief. “Thanks, boss.”
It occurred to Archibald that this was not the only matter he had been neglecting. “And arrange meetings with my contact over at the Office of Ordnance and with the Bow Street Runner who’s investigating the threats against my wife. Have them come to Nettlethorpe Iron if at all possible.”
McPherson bowed his head. “Yes, sir. I’ll send a letter with the meeting times as soon as I have everything arranged.”
“Thank you.”
Archibald slipped back into the room and found Izzie sitting up in bed, the sheet clutched to her chest. “What was that about?”
He came and sat next to her on the bed. “I’m afraid I have to go to Nettlethorpe Iron tomorrow. The King of Salaria is demanding to jump up the queue and have his order of cannons delivered earlier than promised. I have to inform His Majesty that he’s going to have to wait his turn.”
“The King of Salaria!” Izzie made a show of looking impressed. “Such lofty company!”
He flopped onto his back beside her. “Everyone wants cannons when there’s a war on. Not that these kings and princes are excited to make my acquaintance. He’d probably cut me dead if he saw me in the street.”
Wrapping her arms around his chest, she kissed his cheek. “Well, I think you’re worth a hundred of him.”
He slipped his arm around her, enjoying the feel of her head pillowed on his shoulder. “I feel bad about leaving you alone here.”
“I’ll be all right. You have plenty of guards in place.”
“I worry not so much about your safety as that you’ll feel confined.”
“Oh.” She chewed her lip, thinking. “I might if this stretches on too long. But I know you can’t stay away from Nettlethorpe Iron forever. You have a business to run and an important one at that.”
He ran his fingers through her silky, dark hair. It still felt unreal that he was permitted to touch her like this. “Would you like to invite someone to come here? Maybe your sister, or Lady Diana?”
“That’s a splendid idea. Having some visitors will cheer me considerably.”
“I’ll also be meeting with Bow Street and my contact over at Ordnance. So, hopefully, I’ll have some good news regarding the investigation.”
“Let’s hope so.” Izzie pressed a trail of kisses up his jawline. “Do you know what seems truly unfair?”
“What?” he asked, his breath starting to quicken.
She nipped at his ear. “That you’re wearing all of these clothes while I’m lying here naked.”
He turned on his side, pulling her flush against his chest. “How thoughtless of me. Allow me to remedy this oversight…”
So it was that the following morning, Archibald and Izzie did something slightly unfamiliar.
They dressed and came downstairs for breakfast.
His parents were already there, helping themselves to the usual spread that would’ve been better suited for a family of twenty. At least with dozens of his men coming over to guard the house in shifts, the food wouldn’t go to waste.
Izzie smiled at his mother as she settled in with a plate of toast and a poached egg. “Mrs. Nettlethorpe-Ogilvy, have you heard the latest gossip?”
If it occurred to his mother to wonder how he and Izzie would know any of the latest gossip, considering they had not emerged from his room for three days, she gave no sign of it. She leaned forward, her eyes keen. “No! Do tell.”
Izzie glanced around as if she were about to reveal a great secret. “Your son has a new nickname.”
“A new nickname!” In an instant, his mother was all aflutter. “Oh, my gracious heavens. I hadn’t even heard!”
His father perked up, as eager for the gossip as his wife. “What is it?”
