Page 73 of A Lady's Heart Deceived
My love, I am so sorry. Maggie, you deserve better than this.
Will leaned forward in his seat and pointed a finger at Piers. “And this is where things get interesting. I spoke to the prince, and he was adamant that letters had come from King Willem and the Prince of Orange earlier this year. In their correspondence, they both made mention of your efforts to save the heir to the Dutch throne. The Prince Regent’s private secretary confirmed it. Unfortunately, the letters were forwarded onto your commanding officer, Major Hall.”
It was as if someone had punched Piers hard in the gut. The air whooshed out of his lungs. For a moment, he feared he would be sick.
How could that be? The major never mentioned receiving—oh, no. He wouldn’t dare, would he?
Bat placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You look as if you have had a bit of a shock, my friend. I take it this is the same Major Hall who slandered you in the dispatches and under who you are currently serving.”
Piers nodded. “Yes. I can just imagine what he thought when those letters arrived. If they contained words of support for me, then they would undermine his efforts. I hate to think what he has done with them.”
Little wonder Piers hadn’t ever heard about the letters, let alone seen them. They were probably kept hidden under lock and key in the major’s office. Or worse, had already been destroyed.
“Well, then you need to rectify that situation, and quick smart,” said Will.
Easier said than done. But what could he do? March up to a senior officer and openly accuse him of withholding information and lying to the army? Not likely. He would be clapped in irons and thrown into a prison cell within minutes.
Piers considered Will’s words, and a small spark of hope lit in his heart. The expression on the face of the former spy was that of a man who had already come up with a solution.
“Just tell me what you want me to do,” said Piers.
“Go home; try and get some rest. I know that won’t be easy. I shall send word to Denford House later tonight and let you know of what is likely to happen tomorrow. There are some people I am still waiting to hear from, but I would strongly suggest that you should prepare yourself for an interesting morning,” replied Will.
The three of them rose from their chairs. This whole disaster had hung over him for two years, but to know that it was now moving to a decisive point filled Piers with a degree of apprehension. He wasn’t naive. Will Saunders may well have plans in hand, but it didn’t mean that things couldn’t still go awry.
“Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate your assistance. It’s a relief to know that someone is prepared to help.”
Bat nodded. “Just be ready to deal with whatever comes tomorrow. If this Major Hall, has it in for you, he won’t go quietly.”
“No, he won’t. He has done his best to make my life a misery. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve tried to talk to him, but his mind was made up that day on the battlefield. If he can destroy me, he will,” replied Piers.
Piers left Will and Bat to finish their drinks. He resisted the temptation to ask Will who it was that he was waiting to hear from, deciding it was wiser to trust Maggie’s cousin rather than to appear as if he were questioning his efforts. He had a powerful friend—one who had already gone out on a limb for him. When Will got in touch with him, Piers would do exactly, as he was instructed.
His whole future depended on the next twenty-four hours. He just wished Maggie was here, that he could tell her he loved her. And that he was going to fight for them.
Chapter Forty-Five
Horse Guards
London
Piers reached to adjust his cravat, then stopped himself. If he tightened the knot any further, it would strangle him. Though, from the furious way that adrenaline coursed through his veins, a quick and painful death might be the lesser of two evils.
Under his arm was the satchel of papers he intended to present to the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, Prince Frederick, the Duke of York and Albany. Taking his cue from his meeting with Will Saunders and Earl Shale, Piers was making certain he was not going into battle unarmed.
Maggie, my love, I am going to fight for our future.
From out of the main office, the duke’s private secretary appeared in the hallway. He gave Piers a small nod. “You can come in now, Captain Denford.”
He had barely taken two steps toward the door when the heavy thud of military boots echoed off the walls in the narrow corridor. Piers turned. His gaze settled on the immaculately dressed Major Hall. The only thing he had under his arm was his swagger stick.
Piers saluted his commanding officer. “Sir.”
The sly grin on the major’s lips had a lump of dread settling in Piers’s stomach. Why the devil was he here?
“You didn’t think you would get to have a private audience with the head of the army, did you? Foolish boy,” he sneered.
Piers did his best not to respond to the obvious taunt. If he were to let the major get the better of him now, he may as well give up, go home, and abandon all hope of ever getting out of the army or having a future with Maggie.
