The Nobleman's Daughter by Jen Geigle Johnson

Author:Jen Geigle Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: england;london;suffrage;freedom;revolution;sparrow;romance;regency;courting;suitor;lord;lady;aristocrats;love;poor;trust;peterloo massacre
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2017-08-07T16:08:38+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Nathaniel arrived at home, agitated. After handing his coat and hat to Brooks, he headed toward the library. He hoped a book would calm him enough to get some rest tonight. Tomorrow promised little rest and a dinner in the evening. Lady Amanda would be in attendance. He must get some small bit of sleep tonight if he was going to manage the day successfully. Candlelight flickered in his study. His senses swung into high alert. Creeping to the door, the hallway darkened in his vision as the light inside the room became brighter. The hair on his neck stood on end as he peeked around the corner. No servant would have need to be in his study at this hour.

Alarm filled him. Charlie sat in a chair, reading Nathaniel’s correspondence, several pieces in hand. If those were the wrong letters, Charlie could be a real danger to the Liberty Seekers. He strode across the threshold shouting, “What is the meaning of this?”

Charlie shot to his feet, startled, grabbing the letters on his lap, crushing them to him in a jumbled heap. “Lord Nathaniel. I’m glad you are home.”

He blinked. Was Charlie smiling at him? He blinked again. Yes, smiling, and not just a small grin. The man looked almost foolish, showing all his teeth in the widest smile Nathaniel had ever seen. He stopped short of fisting Charlie’s shirt in his hands and tossing him from the room and instead stared him down.

“What are you doing here?” His eyes flew over the letters in Charlie’s hands and froze as he saw the broken seal of an eagle in flight. His spy now sat in the gravest danger. If Charlie were ever to take this knowledge back, the Eagle in Flight would be killed immediately. Nathaniel positioned himself to block any exit from the room and stepped closer, breathing down Charlie’s chest. Nathaniel would guard knowledge of his informant with his life.

Charlie’s expression clouded with confusion. His legs pressed up against the chair, and his upper body leaned back to put more distance between them.

Nathaniel leaned closer, nearly forcing Charlie back into his seat. He pointed a finger at the letters clutched to Charlie’s chest. “Where did you get those?”

Charlie looked at the letters he had crushed to his chest and then he looked back up into Nathaniel’s face. He smiled again.

Dashed ridiculous. “Stop smiling, lad, and answer me.”

Charlie said, “They’re mine, my lord.”

“I recognize the seal on them. Obviously not yours. Have you read them?”

“Would you mind if we sat? I have much explaining to do.”

Nathaniel huffed in frustration but pulled a chair to sit in front of Charlie between him and the door. Then he leaned forward and waited.

Charlie looked at the door and said softly, “I am your Eagle in Flight.”

Nathaniel stared for a moment, digesting. He gestured impatiently with his hand. “You had better keep talking, and make it good.”

“I can prove it. I am your man. I brought this correspondence with me today. The last letter I wrote to you talked of July 23.

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