Page 33 of Romancing the Rifleman
He would need to find a way to have a private word with Diana.As he mounted his horse, he mused that getting her alone would probably prove just as difficult a task as stealing the letter from Carl Frederick.
Chapter16
Diana peered out the carriage window as they approached Lord and Lady Morsley’s villa.It was a lovely property an hour’s drive north of London.Since their wedding four years ago, Lady Morsley had given birth to two black-haired, blue-eyed boys named Michael and Colin.Knowing that his wife cherished the work she did for the Ladies’ Society for the Relief of the Destitute, the charitable society she had founded, Lord Morsley had purchased this property so that she could be within easy reach of London without exposing their children to the sooty air and infectious maladies that plagued the capital.Although it did not compare to their family seat, Ravenswell, they had about four acres that included a small garden, a manicured sweep of lawn, and a little copse of trees at the top of the rise that provided a pleasant view from the house.
The earl and countess were planning a picnic along with some friendly sporting competitions.That most likely meant lawn bowls and shuttlecock, but Diana had brought her sword and fencing costume, just in case.
Lady Morsley greeted them at the door and informed them that everyone was gathering in the back garden.Diana saw that many of the guests had already arrived.Aunt Griselda had brought along a trio of her brown and white speckled pointers, and Michael and Colin came toddling up to pet the dogs.Aunt Griselda produced a ball from her pocket, and the boys, including Alaric, ran off toward the lawn.
Ceci looped her arm through that of Lady Thetford, and they began a leisurely stroll through the garden.Marcus went to join his friend, Lord Fauconbridge.
Diana was looking around for Izzie and Lucy when someone stole up next to her.
She smiled when she saw it was Harrington.“Lieutenant Astley, you startled me.”
He grinned.“Sneaky fellows, us Riflemen.”He dropped his voice low.“I need to speak with you.”
“Oh?”She arched an eyebrow.“More political machinations?”
He froze.His face looked slightly green, and Diana didn’t think it was due to the sunlight reflecting off his officer’s jacket.
She seized his forearm.“What’s wrong?”He didn’t answer right away, so she continued, “Has William Windham given you another assignment?”
“He has.”He somehow managed to infuse his chuckle with despair.“I thought the last one was just about impossible, but this one…” He trailed off, squeezing his eyes closed.
“What is it?”she whispered, curiosity ablaze.
He cringed.“Do you by any chance speak Swedish?”
Now her interest was truly piqued.“I do.Why do you?—”
“Lieutenant Astley.Good afternoon.”
Diana glanced up to see Marcus hovering like a great golden mother hen.She cast him a warning look while Harrington returned a polite greeting.
Marcus gave her an almost imperceptible nod.“Lovely day for a picnic,” he said in a clipped voice.
“It is, indeed,” Harrington agreed.
An awkward silence ensued.Diana appreciated that Marcus was trying to be civil.But she could not help but wish he would be civil from a distance.She and Harrington were merely talking, and they were doing so in broad daylight, surrounded by twenty people.Even the notorious sticklers who served as patronesses at Almack’s could find no fault.
Marcus cleared his throat.“I did not mean to interrupt.Please, continue your conversation.What were you discussing?”
“Politics,” Diana supplied.
Marcus nodded tightly.“Excellent.As you know, I am a member of the House of Lords, so it is a subject of interest to me as well.”
Diana bit back a groan.Marcus obviously did not plan on going away anytime soon.“Lieutenant Astley was recently rallying votes in support of the Pensions to Soldiers Act.”
“I was, indeed,” Harrington said.“Your sister was kind enough to advise me regarding my strategy.”
Marcus glanced back and forth between them, his lips turning into a slight frown.“But that vote has already taken place.Surely the lieutenant is no longer in need of your advice.”
Diana hesitated a beat too long.“True.”
Marcus eyed Harrington suspiciously.“Yet you were discussing it again?”
Harrington cleared his throat.“Not precisely.”
