The lady’s abrupt change in mood surprised Nick. Had he known that it took a new property to appease Ms. Abbott, he would have insisted on keeping the information about their new house to himself until such a time when he could use it against Claire’s tantrums. The three gentlemen got up after Claire did with the duke muttering something about women as he led his guests to the front parlor.
Both Lord Abbott and Mr. Bennett continued discussing about the details of the marriage – the time, who to invite, and of course, who not to invite. He wanted to pull his alleged father aside and ask him about the specifics of this particular plan of his, but the old man was indisposed at the moment. However, he did manage to make a quick hand signal telling Nick that everything was in place. Though a bit annoyed, it left him with no other choice but to trust the turns of events as orchestrated by his handler.
After a few minutes, Nick turned to the sound of her shoes tapping against the wood and was granted the pleasure of watching Ms. Abbott pulling a glove up her arm. She had changed – thankfully – to a more fashionable dress. He almost thought that his future wife, though of means, was not only unbearably high born but also lacked fashion sense. Her chosen dress with the gloves was far better than the one she wore to lunch. Surprisingly, he liked it on her. The dark color complimented her pale hair and complexion, not to mention emphasized her very feminine form. Nick almost smiled upon seeing her cheeks flushed from her hasty change in clothing and her eyes bright with excitement.
“Is it very far, to the estate? Does it have a yard, anything planted outside?”
Despite his dislike for highborn lords and ladies, he was amused with Claire’s reaction. She looked very excited and happy even with him standing so close to her that he almost felt as excited and happy as her. “I refuse to preempt the surprise, Ms. Abbott. You shall discover the answers in a short while,” he chuckled, offering his arm to her. Nick decided that he liked this part of Claire better. “We shall not be too long, father. Lord Abbott.”
“I trust you to take care of my daughter, Nicholas,” the duke disguised his command in a statement.
Nick placed his gloved hand over Claire’s hand on his arm then replied with a firm promise. “I will, my lord,” he replied, smiling.
The couple walked to the waiting closed carriage of the Rochfords, with their fathers following close behind. “Bring them to the Kensington property, Robert,” said Bennett as Nick helped Claire up. He climbed in after her and took residence on the bench opposite hers.
“It is not too far away from your home, Ms. Abbott,” he commented when the carriage started moving. “I want you to feel comfortable in it, so whatever you see, is only temporary. We will have it fitted to your needs – even our shared bedroom.” It was a topic that they had to discuss eventually. Like him, Claire was not a willing participant in this marriage. He was no gentleman, but to keep their relationship as pleasant as possible, he thought it might be best to act like one.
Nick took off his hand and placed it on the space beside him, then focused his attention to Claire. Inside the moving carriage, their worlds were reduced to the space within. At the moment, there was just Nick and Claire. “I understand that you are not entering into this marriage willingly and I cannot force you to.” Nor did he want to. He just needed her out of his way and one way. “So until we’re both ready, let us decide who sleeps on the bed.” And he would not give way without a fight. He did a gentlemanly act by considering not to take advantage of her, that was enough good deed for the project. His comfort need not be sacrificed.
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Yes, actually I'm already an alumni. Every year the University holds a fair during the week of Valentine's day. We call it the Feb Fair. :) Graduates come back during this period to meet with college friends and check on what's up with the student organization they joined during college.
Nicholas couldn’t help but feel sorry for Claire, while at the same time he thought of how the lady would retaliate. She did not seem the type to let go of a grudge. Perhaps he chose the wrong side. Perhaps his life with her, however brief, would be more bearable if he gave her this one favor. But it was too late now. Dear Ms. Abbott had withdrawn her hand and was now looking at him with those beautiful eyes, which looked less bright than it did when she got her seat back.
Nevertheless, his alleged father answered for him. “We have just recently purchased a manor in Kensington. The property is already under Nick’s name,” he assured the duke.
Nick had no idea that such a property was purchased under his name and that they already had a house to live in. He and Bennett better speak about planning and its benefits once the lunch was over, for he couldn’t tolerate any more surprises. It was a good thing that the details of his married life was already planned for him that he needed not to worry where to live after the ceremony - the support agents working with Bennett must be truly efficient to have acquired a property in such a short notice – but information was his trade and with the lack of it, he was incapacitated.
He thanked the servant who served his dessert then said to Claire, “It is a beautiful piece of architecture. I hope to bring you there, but I believe minor construction is still on going.”
“Fortunately for the lady, Nick, the minor restorations you commissioned were finished yesterday. With the permission of Lord Abbott, it is indeed a good idea to show the estate to Ms. Abbott.”
What?!
So much for small talk. A mixture of surprise and annoyance flashed briefly on his face as he allowed himself to glare at Bennett. What was his handler doing? Until a few moments earlier, he had no idea that such a property existed, now Bennett was encouraging him to take his future wife to the mystery manor house? Had Bennett gone crazy?
When Nick turned to the duke, his face wore his polite, neutral expression again. “With your permission, Lord Abbott,” he looked at Claire. “Would you like to see the manor with me?” And get away from this awful, conversation? he wanted to add, but couldn’t. In a way, he was granting her a favor by making a way for her to be excused. She might not like the idea of being alone with him again, but at least he tried to give her a choice between staying with their fathers or enduring his company.
Nevertheless, his alleged father answered for him. “We have just recently purchased a manor in Kensington. The property is already under Nick’s name,” he assured the duke.
Nick had no idea that such a property was purchased under his name and that they already had a house to live in. He and Bennett better speak about planning and its benefits once the lunch was over, for he couldn’t tolerate any more surprises. It was a good thing that the details of his married life was already planned for him that he needed not to worry where to live after the ceremony - the support agents working with Bennett must be truly efficient to have acquired a property in such a short notice – but information was his trade and with the lack of it, he was incapacitated.
He thanked the servant who served his dessert then said to Claire, “It is a beautiful piece of architecture. I hope to bring you there, but I believe minor construction is still on going.”
“Fortunately for the lady, Nick, the minor restorations you commissioned were finished yesterday. With the permission of Lord Abbott, it is indeed a good idea to show the estate to Ms. Abbott.”
What?!
So much for small talk. A mixture of surprise and annoyance flashed briefly on his face as he allowed himself to glare at Bennett. What was his handler doing? Until a few moments earlier, he had no idea that such a property existed, now Bennett was encouraging him to take his future wife to the mystery manor house? Had Bennett gone crazy?
When Nick turned to the duke, his face wore his polite, neutral expression again. “With your permission, Lord Abbott,” he looked at Claire. “Would you like to see the manor with me?” And get away from this awful, conversation? he wanted to add, but couldn’t. In a way, he was granting her a favor by making a way for her to be excused. She might not like the idea of being alone with him again, but at least he tried to give her a choice between staying with their fathers or enduring his company.
Sorry about the delay, there was an even in the university and I won't be able to reply tomorrow because of the same reason.
“Please do sit down, darling.” Nicholas covered her hand with his. Claire Abbott was definitely not the typical 19th century London woman. Who in her right mind would refuse such a grand plan? He expected her to be insufferably excited. Being wed in the presence of Her Most Royal Highness, at a venue exclusive to only the highest of the High society was the dream of most women, but apparently not Claire. On the contrary, she looked like she was terrified with the idea that she would be married in a manner most young women of England could only dream of.
Nick waited for her to settle down before turning to the two other gentlemen at the table. If only Bennett had told him what to expect at lunch, he should have been able to prepare his next steps. With his hand still over hers, he addressed Lord Abbott. “My lord, I believe it my duty as your daughter’s future husband to support her in any way that I can. However,” he turned his attention to Claire, “Ms. Abbott you must forgive me, but I am with your father in this.”
He heard from somewhere that the secret to a happy marriage was to keep the wife happy. Nick swallowed hard as he looked into Claire’s beautiful blue eyes. Was he doing the right thing, going against the rules of a happy marriage? But then again, she started it by using her impeccable feminine charms to force him to evacuate his rather comfortable seat. Besides, it was to his advantage to host a large gathering for he would be opening doors of opportunities to some of his colleagues for them to be able to engage their targets. He had names of people to watch and the connections in the High society to make it a bit easier for his brothers-at-arms to make contact easier.
As if to emphasize his support and apology at the same time, he curled his hand over hers. “And I do not intend to marry you for your money, Ms. Abbott,” he added in a soft enough voice to hint a wounded pride, but loud enough for the older gentlemen to hear. “I have enough to spend on whatever both you and I want.”
Bennett looked pleased. Nick decided that he was doing the right thing, so he pushed the matter further. “This might be just your nerves getting the best of you, my dear. Marriage is a commitment which is not to be taken lightly. Believe me,” he chuckled lightly. “I might be more terrified than you are right now after hearing all of these. To be honest, I am more afraid that our judgmental society will have anything unpleasant to say regarding any aspect of the ceremony, most especially to you or to me, than the thought that I will cease to be a bachelor in a few weeks.”
The duke looked a bit placated by what he was hearing. With any luck, the lunch might still be saved from damnation. “Whatever the reason behind your strong objection, let us know so we can work out a favorable arrangement.” A challenge issued for her to be transparent and explain the horror he had seen on her face upon hearing that she was getting married in front of all the important personalities of London. Could it be that a grand celebration would ruin her chances of slipping into someone else’s bed? Even though the marriage was not real and he would probably find ways to slip into someone else’s bed, the thought that his wife would cheat on him hurt a little on his pride. But then none of it mattered in the end, because none of it was real.
Nick waited for her to settle down before turning to the two other gentlemen at the table. If only Bennett had told him what to expect at lunch, he should have been able to prepare his next steps. With his hand still over hers, he addressed Lord Abbott. “My lord, I believe it my duty as your daughter’s future husband to support her in any way that I can. However,” he turned his attention to Claire, “Ms. Abbott you must forgive me, but I am with your father in this.”
He heard from somewhere that the secret to a happy marriage was to keep the wife happy. Nick swallowed hard as he looked into Claire’s beautiful blue eyes. Was he doing the right thing, going against the rules of a happy marriage? But then again, she started it by using her impeccable feminine charms to force him to evacuate his rather comfortable seat. Besides, it was to his advantage to host a large gathering for he would be opening doors of opportunities to some of his colleagues for them to be able to engage their targets. He had names of people to watch and the connections in the High society to make it a bit easier for his brothers-at-arms to make contact easier.
As if to emphasize his support and apology at the same time, he curled his hand over hers. “And I do not intend to marry you for your money, Ms. Abbott,” he added in a soft enough voice to hint a wounded pride, but loud enough for the older gentlemen to hear. “I have enough to spend on whatever both you and I want.”
Bennett looked pleased. Nick decided that he was doing the right thing, so he pushed the matter further. “This might be just your nerves getting the best of you, my dear. Marriage is a commitment which is not to be taken lightly. Believe me,” he chuckled lightly. “I might be more terrified than you are right now after hearing all of these. To be honest, I am more afraid that our judgmental society will have anything unpleasant to say regarding any aspect of the ceremony, most especially to you or to me, than the thought that I will cease to be a bachelor in a few weeks.”
The duke looked a bit placated by what he was hearing. With any luck, the lunch might still be saved from damnation. “Whatever the reason behind your strong objection, let us know so we can work out a favorable arrangement.” A challenge issued for her to be transparent and explain the horror he had seen on her face upon hearing that she was getting married in front of all the important personalities of London. Could it be that a grand celebration would ruin her chances of slipping into someone else’s bed? Even though the marriage was not real and he would probably find ways to slip into someone else’s bed, the thought that his wife would cheat on him hurt a little on his pride. But then none of it mattered in the end, because none of it was real.
Claire walked in on the three gentlemen engaged in a lively conversation about the standing of Britain’s economy in the midst of the war against Russia. “Ah, but Russia has gone too far this time,” Lord Abbott was saying. To which, Nick nodded, answering in a thoughtful tone, “Fighting on land, we are at a disadvantage, my lord. When was the last time our military fought a war? Our officers are old and our soldiers lacking in field experience. It is likely that the French will take all the glory to themselves.”
“Would you rather that Russia starts invading Europe, then?” asked the duke, sipping from his teacup.
The younger gentleman smiled. “Not in this lifetime,” he replied. “I honor the heroes who fight in the battlefield, but I would feel better if the war is being fought on open seas, where we are gods.”
Claire’s presence was discretely announced by the light tapping of her shoes against the wooden panels of the floor. She entered the dining hall in a simple pink dress and a tight-lipped smile. Lord Abbott immediately spotted his daughter and just as quick changed the topic. Nick, on the other hand, sipped from his cup pretending not to notice the lady’s appearance.
She greeted her father then next turned to Bennett, whose eyes were more attentive now that their mark was in the room. “Hello Mr. Rochford. Nicholas. I’m so glad you could join us for lunch! I do hope you liked baked salmon, I wasn’t sure what to request for the meal,” she greeted.
Bennett was the one who did the honors of bestowing flattery. “Certainly a divine dish, Ms. Abbott,” he said. Nick just smiled. With everything that was running in his head, he was honestly not in the mood to flatter or flirt. There were a number of things to accomplish other than to sit with strangers.
“Do you-”
She was referring to him. Nicholas smiled at her. “What is it, Ms. Abbott?”
“I’m sorry, do you mind if I sit in that chair and you here? It’s not what you think. I’m left handed, and if we can avoid bumping elbows all night I’d appreciate it.”
So he was occupying her favorite spot and she was a grown lady who, he supposed could handle minor disappointments in life. One of those disappointments happened to be her future husband sitting on her favorite seat. Nick paused instead of hastily getting up and offering the seat to his future bride. The friendly smile had left his face. He considered asking her to sit in his lap instead right after he apologized for his misbehavior. But then again, Lord Abbott was present on the table. Speaking of which, his and Bennett’s eyes were on him, expectantly waiting for his next move. Too bad.
Nicholas nodded in defeat. “My apologies, Miss Abbott. I didn’t know.” She won the first battle, but not yet the war. He got to his feet and offered the empty seat to her.
The duke laughed, though nervously. “My daughter is not always like this, Nicholas,” he reassured. “It must be the cloudy weather.”
“Her keen sensibility is a trait I like about Ms. Abbott, my lord. Of course she is correct in positioning herself the way she did.” He assisted Claire as she took her seat, before he claimed the one next to her.
The servants served their meal while they discussed the latest in London’s high society. It was not until the dessert was served that Lord Abbott raised the issue on the wedding. “I have informed my son, Lord Abbott, about our plan to have them wed as soon as possible.”
“And you have no objection, Nicholas?”
Again, three pairs of eyes were on him. Of the three, he felt Claire’s the heaviest. It was obvious that she didn’t like the idea of marrying him as much as he liked the idea of marrying her. He guessed that if there was a way for her to make him back out, she would have done it. Unfortunately for her, he needed the connection only she could give. Therefore what he told her at the park was not entirely untrue – he was marrying her because she was the Claire Abbott, the most important low hanging fruit in the farm. “I have none, my lord. The sooner the better.” He stole a quick glance at Claire, trying to guess what she might be thinking.
“Then it is settled!” The duke announced. His voice rang triumphantly in the large dining hall. Bennett looked equally pleased. “I shall inform her majesty of the date.”
“And the venue shall be at Westminster.”
Nick fought hard for a composed expression. Of course they could afford an expensive marriage, the Rochfords were backed by the treasury of England, but getting married at Westminster with the Queen as their guest? He gave his ‘father’ a hard look. “Is this not too elaborate, father?” he asked Bennett, but the duke answered for him.
“None sense! I am a duke. I will not be belittled by my peers. Besides, this is my only daughter’s marriage we are talking about, Mr. Rochford. This wedding shall make Britain forget about Russia and France. It shall be remembered throughout history. We will invite every important person if only to let them see how grand the celebration is.”
“Would you rather that Russia starts invading Europe, then?” asked the duke, sipping from his teacup.
The younger gentleman smiled. “Not in this lifetime,” he replied. “I honor the heroes who fight in the battlefield, but I would feel better if the war is being fought on open seas, where we are gods.”
Claire’s presence was discretely announced by the light tapping of her shoes against the wooden panels of the floor. She entered the dining hall in a simple pink dress and a tight-lipped smile. Lord Abbott immediately spotted his daughter and just as quick changed the topic. Nick, on the other hand, sipped from his cup pretending not to notice the lady’s appearance.
She greeted her father then next turned to Bennett, whose eyes were more attentive now that their mark was in the room. “Hello Mr. Rochford. Nicholas. I’m so glad you could join us for lunch! I do hope you liked baked salmon, I wasn’t sure what to request for the meal,” she greeted.
Bennett was the one who did the honors of bestowing flattery. “Certainly a divine dish, Ms. Abbott,” he said. Nick just smiled. With everything that was running in his head, he was honestly not in the mood to flatter or flirt. There were a number of things to accomplish other than to sit with strangers.
“Do you-”
She was referring to him. Nicholas smiled at her. “What is it, Ms. Abbott?”
“I’m sorry, do you mind if I sit in that chair and you here? It’s not what you think. I’m left handed, and if we can avoid bumping elbows all night I’d appreciate it.”
So he was occupying her favorite spot and she was a grown lady who, he supposed could handle minor disappointments in life. One of those disappointments happened to be her future husband sitting on her favorite seat. Nick paused instead of hastily getting up and offering the seat to his future bride. The friendly smile had left his face. He considered asking her to sit in his lap instead right after he apologized for his misbehavior. But then again, Lord Abbott was present on the table. Speaking of which, his and Bennett’s eyes were on him, expectantly waiting for his next move. Too bad.
Nicholas nodded in defeat. “My apologies, Miss Abbott. I didn’t know.” She won the first battle, but not yet the war. He got to his feet and offered the empty seat to her.
The duke laughed, though nervously. “My daughter is not always like this, Nicholas,” he reassured. “It must be the cloudy weather.”
“Her keen sensibility is a trait I like about Ms. Abbott, my lord. Of course she is correct in positioning herself the way she did.” He assisted Claire as she took her seat, before he claimed the one next to her.
The servants served their meal while they discussed the latest in London’s high society. It was not until the dessert was served that Lord Abbott raised the issue on the wedding. “I have informed my son, Lord Abbott, about our plan to have them wed as soon as possible.”
“And you have no objection, Nicholas?”
Again, three pairs of eyes were on him. Of the three, he felt Claire’s the heaviest. It was obvious that she didn’t like the idea of marrying him as much as he liked the idea of marrying her. He guessed that if there was a way for her to make him back out, she would have done it. Unfortunately for her, he needed the connection only she could give. Therefore what he told her at the park was not entirely untrue – he was marrying her because she was the Claire Abbott, the most important low hanging fruit in the farm. “I have none, my lord. The sooner the better.” He stole a quick glance at Claire, trying to guess what she might be thinking.
“Then it is settled!” The duke announced. His voice rang triumphantly in the large dining hall. Bennett looked equally pleased. “I shall inform her majesty of the date.”
“And the venue shall be at Westminster.”
Nick fought hard for a composed expression. Of course they could afford an expensive marriage, the Rochfords were backed by the treasury of England, but getting married at Westminster with the Queen as their guest? He gave his ‘father’ a hard look. “Is this not too elaborate, father?” he asked Bennett, but the duke answered for him.
“None sense! I am a duke. I will not be belittled by my peers. Besides, this is my only daughter’s marriage we are talking about, Mr. Rochford. This wedding shall make Britain forget about Russia and France. It shall be remembered throughout history. We will invite every important person if only to let them see how grand the celebration is.”
Are you still looking for players? I like your idea. Shoot me a PM to discuss
Ok, good. :)
And it's cool that you are an archery coach. I wanted to learn archery in school, but I never got any slot. Take your time and good luck with regionals. :)
And it's cool that you are an archery coach. I wanted to learn archery in school, but I never got any slot. Take your time and good luck with regionals. :)
I'm glad you liked it. :D We can edit the story as we go. So after the lunch, should we fast forward to maybe the day before the wedding or are you looking at throwing a little something before they get married?
Dark brown was the natural color of Nicholas’ hair, but due to the nature of his job, he was used to wearing it in different colors. Sometimes the color was achieved through the use of chemical dyes but he personally preferred wearing a wig for the sake of convenience. He would have worn fake hair to the pub the night before, but the possibility of spending the night with Caroline made him reconsider. Therefore, the gentleman had to go through the painstaking process of thoroughly washing his hair in a hurry, in an inn where he checked in disguised as a middle class worker. The result was Mr. Bennett’s foul disposition, which made Nick’s overall temperament a bit more sour than usual.
The two gentlemen spoke strictly of business while they were in the carriage, heading to the Abbott’s estate. Neither was enthusiastic to commit to some small talk.
“I will personally deliver this to the foreign registry,” Nick was saying as he and his handler sat opposite one another inside the carriage. It was cloudy outside and for the tired Nicholas it was a day best spent at home, in bed, sleeping. Then again, just like what he told Caroline, there were pressing matters that needed his attention. “Brown is only one of the people we are watching. I’ve got names of other possible suspects from our informants.”
Bennett was watching him carefully. There was no humor in his sharp, hawk-like eyes, because they were surely late for their appointment, which he clearly prepared himself for. Nick thought the older gentleman looked forward to the lunch meeting, he even wore his fine clothing and scolded Nick about how it was a bad manner to be late in any appointment. Then again, Mr. Charles Bennett (a.k.a. Mr. Nicholas Rochford III) looked positively interested with the output of his spy. “Good,” he commented, nodding. “I have to admit, the information network you built is impressive. It is expensive, but impressive.”
Nick shrugged, dismissing the compliment. “Thank you, my lord. And what news of the other boys the Service has planted?”
“Not as much progress, I’m afraid,” he sighed, picking up his hat from its perch on the bench. They have entered the estate of the Abbotts. “We both know how difficult it is to blend in with the high society, and not everyone is as lucky and,” Nick’s handler paused as if choosing the right word, “as charming as you are, James. Her Majesty doesn’t trust any of the peers of the realm, including their counterparts in the parliament.” He fished inside his coat for a small jeweled box then tossed it to Nicholas. “A little present for your future bride.”
Nick snatched the box from midair and made a noncommittal nod. In other words, Bennett was saying that there was no one as foolish as him to marry a stranger for the sake of his cover. “If we are successful in destroying the enemy’s network within ours before the wedding, is there a possibility of not --”
“If that is the case, then yes, you may not marry Ms. Abbott. However,” he cleared his throat as the horse whinnied and the carriage stopped. “Lord Abbott and I agreed to have the celebration in two weeks.”
Nicholas’ eyes widened in disbelief. While still in a state of shock, Mr. Bennett took the opportunity to push the carriage door open and step outside saying, “What a lovely day.”
*****
The Rochfords were received by the Abbott’s household with hospitality. They were directed to a seating room where Lord Abbott met them without his daughter. In an instant, the gentlemen – Bennett & Flannagan – stepped into the shoes of the polite rich businessmen that seemed to please the duke. Nicholas was not yet done with his handler. They would have to talk at length when they got back to their townhouse, but letting any of their previous talk get in the way of his acting was not good. He set it aside for the moment and joined Bennett and Lord Abbott in small talk until the duke announced that they should be already eating.
“Gentlemen, the hour is late. Let us not waste time talking with our stomachs empty,” the duke said, gesturing for the Rochfords to follow him to the kitchen. On their way, he asked a servant to fetch his daughter and bring her to the dining hall.
The two gentlemen spoke strictly of business while they were in the carriage, heading to the Abbott’s estate. Neither was enthusiastic to commit to some small talk.
“I will personally deliver this to the foreign registry,” Nick was saying as he and his handler sat opposite one another inside the carriage. It was cloudy outside and for the tired Nicholas it was a day best spent at home, in bed, sleeping. Then again, just like what he told Caroline, there were pressing matters that needed his attention. “Brown is only one of the people we are watching. I’ve got names of other possible suspects from our informants.”
Bennett was watching him carefully. There was no humor in his sharp, hawk-like eyes, because they were surely late for their appointment, which he clearly prepared himself for. Nick thought the older gentleman looked forward to the lunch meeting, he even wore his fine clothing and scolded Nick about how it was a bad manner to be late in any appointment. Then again, Mr. Charles Bennett (a.k.a. Mr. Nicholas Rochford III) looked positively interested with the output of his spy. “Good,” he commented, nodding. “I have to admit, the information network you built is impressive. It is expensive, but impressive.”
Nick shrugged, dismissing the compliment. “Thank you, my lord. And what news of the other boys the Service has planted?”
“Not as much progress, I’m afraid,” he sighed, picking up his hat from its perch on the bench. They have entered the estate of the Abbotts. “We both know how difficult it is to blend in with the high society, and not everyone is as lucky and,” Nick’s handler paused as if choosing the right word, “as charming as you are, James. Her Majesty doesn’t trust any of the peers of the realm, including their counterparts in the parliament.” He fished inside his coat for a small jeweled box then tossed it to Nicholas. “A little present for your future bride.”
Nick snatched the box from midair and made a noncommittal nod. In other words, Bennett was saying that there was no one as foolish as him to marry a stranger for the sake of his cover. “If we are successful in destroying the enemy’s network within ours before the wedding, is there a possibility of not --”
“If that is the case, then yes, you may not marry Ms. Abbott. However,” he cleared his throat as the horse whinnied and the carriage stopped. “Lord Abbott and I agreed to have the celebration in two weeks.”
Nicholas’ eyes widened in disbelief. While still in a state of shock, Mr. Bennett took the opportunity to push the carriage door open and step outside saying, “What a lovely day.”
*****
The Rochfords were received by the Abbott’s household with hospitality. They were directed to a seating room where Lord Abbott met them without his daughter. In an instant, the gentlemen – Bennett & Flannagan – stepped into the shoes of the polite rich businessmen that seemed to please the duke. Nicholas was not yet done with his handler. They would have to talk at length when they got back to their townhouse, but letting any of their previous talk get in the way of his acting was not good. He set it aside for the moment and joined Bennett and Lord Abbott in small talk until the duke announced that they should be already eating.
“Gentlemen, the hour is late. Let us not waste time talking with our stomachs empty,” the duke said, gesturing for the Rochfords to follow him to the kitchen. On their way, he asked a servant to fetch his daughter and bring her to the dining hall.
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