Page 32 of Romancing the Rifleman
Harrington inclined his head.“Of course.”
The Secretary of State clasped his hands before him on the desk.“In spite of his idiosyncrasies, King Gustav remains a potential ally, and a valuable one at that.We are currently attempting to build a new coalition to challenge Napoleon, and it would behoove us to know which way the wind blows.”At Harrington’s blank look, he continued, “We have considered the possibility that King Gustav was disappointed by Britain’s choice to retreat from Hanover, rather than stand and fight, as he wished to do.”
“Stand and fight?”Harrington surged to his feet.“That would have beenmadness.Napoleon had 180,000 men!Maybe if Emperor Francis hadn’t given that idiot, General Mack, command of the Austrian army, all because he told him what he wanted to hear—that Austria’s forces could stand against theGrande Arméewhen they weren’t trained and weren’t evenarmed?—”
Windham held out both palms, placating.“Please?—”
Harrington was unable to stifle the words spilling from his mouth.“And if Prussia hadn’t double-crossed us, and Russia hadn’t jaunted back to the safety of their ice-encrusted?—”
“Lieutenant.”Windham spoke the word sharply enough that Harrington managed to stop his rant.
“I’m sorry, sir.”He rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.
The Secretary of State gestured for Harrington to resume his seat.“There is no need to convince me.You are correct on every point.”He gave Harrington a wry smile.“I’m sure the issue feels very personal, given that you were the one abandoned by our allies in the field.”
Harrington cleared his throat.“Just so, sir.”
“But our concern is that, in spite of the eminently reasonable points you have raised, King Gustav might see the situation differently.”
“And so, you’d like me to speak to Carl Frederick about it.”Harrington put his hands on his thighs, preparing to stand.“I’d be glad to.”
Windham held out a finger.“I would not say that we want you tospeak toCarl Frederick about it, precisely.”
Harrington wasn’t sure where this was going, but he had a feeling he wasn’t going to like it.“Oh?”
“The young duke is a clever man who will, naturally, tell us what we wish to hear.His correspondence, on the other hand, may contain the king’s… unvarnished opinions.”
Harrington laughed nervously.“I thought you were already opening and reading his correspondence.”
Windham cringed.“We are.But we missed a letter.Carl Frederick was overheard mentioning it to one of his advisors.He referred to it as containing, ‘state secrets.’”
“Oh, God.”Harrington leaned his elbows on his knees, burying his face in his hands.“And you want me to… steal it?”
Windham waved a hand.“Not at all.We would prefer for you to make a copy and bring it to us.That will arouse far less suspicion.”
Harrington squinted at him.“But won’t it be in Swedish?”
Windham shrugged.“Yes.But I’m sure you’ll figure it out.The house party isn’t for a few days, after all.”
Harrington gaped at him.So, he was supposed to learnSwedish?That was the actual plan?And that was assuming he could even find the bloody letter.
Harrington tugged at the stock around his neck, which felt unaccountably tight.“How will I know which one is the right letter?”
“Our associates at the Royal Mail have a guess.Although they do not have the capacity to open all the duke’s correspondence, they have been cataloguing each piece of mail he receives.Upon further review, one of those unopened letters was sealed with an old crest associated with the Swedish crown, dating back to the period when it was in the hands of the House of Mecklenburg.”
“M-mecklenburg?”Harrington stammered.Hope blazed inside of him.Because… Diana’s Aunt Griselda had been born on the Continent.Her last name wasSaxe-Mecklenburg!
He couldn’t find Mecklenburg on a map to save his life.But he was damn sure Diana could.And from the sound of things, Mecklenburg and Sweden were more closely connected than he had realized.
She spoke a half dozen languages, didn’t she?Maybe she even spoke Swedish…
Harrington looked squarely at the Secretary of State.“I will do my best.Tell me exactly what I’m looking for.”
A half-hour later, he stepped outside.The day had dawned bright and sunny, which was incongruous, given the despair welling in his heart.He was still convinced that he was doomed to almost certain failure.
But thanks to Diana, there was a sliver of hope.
He needed to speak with her.His sister, Anne, and his brother-in-law, Michael, were hosting a gathering tomorrow at their villa a few miles outside of town.Diana and her family were bound to have received an invitation.
