Chapter 25
It was nearing suppertime when Harlowe arrived at Heathbrooke House.
Melody was descending the stairs to the foyer after unpacking when Jarvis opened the door and admitted him to the foyer.
She froze on the third to last step and stared at him.
Not because it had been several months since their paths had crossed, or because she’d not heard a word from him in response to the letter she’d sent to inform him of her departure, but rather because he’d never shown up here before.
“It’s imperative that we speak,” he said, forgoing a proper greeting and even ignoring the butler who waited to take his hat and gloves.
“I, um…” Melody glanced around while attempting to figure out what to tell Lady Heathbrooke. Of course the dowager marchioness knew that Harlowe had raised her, that they shared a familial bond, but how to explain his sudden presence?
“There’s an urgent matter we need to discuss.” Harlowe gave her a pointed look.
“Of course.” Melody snapped to attention and looked to Jarvis. “Do you know if her ladyship is still resting?”
“I believe so,” said Jarvis. “She hasn’t come downstairs yet.”
“Thank you.” Melody descended the last few steps and led the way to the parlor.
“Should I have some tea sent up?” Jarvis asked.
“That won’t be necessary,” said Harlowe. “I won’t be staying long enough to enjoy it.”
He closed the parlor door behind him and swept the room with a critical gaze before honing in on Melody. “Samantha has been taken.”
“So I’ve heard.” Her comment must have surprised him, for he raised both eyebrows. “I ran into Marsdale after posting my letter to you. He gave me the details.”
“Did he say whether Croft has been contacted yet by O’Leary?”
“Who’s he?”
“The Irish cutthroat who took her.”
Clearly she had a lot more to learn about what had occurred. “No. Marsdale was on his way to Croft to offer his help. I’ve no idea what he discovered when he arrived.”
“Of course not.” Harlowe glanced around the stuffy room. “I’ll tell Lady Heathbrooke’s butler to let her know you’ve been called away for the evening. An emergency matter at Clearview House. I’m sure she’ll understand.”
While happy to help Samantha, Melody wasn’t prepared to blindly follow the man who’d ordered Samantha returned to him after she’d helped her husband escape execution.
Her change in allegiance had been made clear, and Harlowe had not taken kindly to it.
Understandably so, since Samantha was part of his biggest secret.
A secret that could be revealed to the world any moment, should Samantha choose to speak out about the Nightingale Project.
Consequently, Melody had no doubt Harlowe meant to eliminate her. Torn between the man who’d saved her from a wretched existence and the woman she loved like a sister, she carefully asked, “What are you planning?”
“Since time is of the essence, I’ll elaborate in the carriage.” He turned for the door. “All you need to know right now is that I have discovered Samantha’s location and that you are going to help me save her.”
“Why not leave her be?” When Harlowe spun back to face her, a questioning look in his eyes, she said, “After all that has happened, I would imagine you’d want to rid yourself of her.”
If he confirmed this, she’d have no qualms about following through on her own plan to leave England for good. She’d only returned in order to find the closure she felt she needed. Not only with Harlowe and Samantha, but with Marsdale.
Mostly with Marsdale.
It would be harder now that they’d kissed. A foolish act she ought to have fled from as soon as she realized what was about to occur. He’d probably have expectations now. Expectations she wouldn’t be able to meet.
She meant what she’d said. She would not be his mistress.
Better to return to Italy rather than suffer the pain of watching him marry another. In leaving, she would be setting them both free, in a way.
Harlowe stared at her, the question she’d asked filling the space between them. And then he said, “She is my most valued agent. Her abilities are second to none. My intention, therefore, is not to rid myself of her, but rather to get her back.”
“How do you mean?”
“This is a rare opportunity for me to save her, to make up for the mistakes I made in the past, and to win back her trust. If I succeed, our differences will be resolved, the Nightingale Project restored in full. That is my plan.”
“Very well.” Melody took no issue with this, though she doubted it would lead to the happily ever after Harlowe envisioned. For that to happen, the outcome of this rescue mission would have to trump Samantha’s love for Croft, and that was unlikely.
A point she chose to keep to herself in favor of helping Samantha.
She followed Harlowe into the foyer where he explained matters to the butler.
Concern filled the servant’s expression, but rather than insist they check to see if Lady Heathbrooke could spare her companion for the evening, he promised to pass the message along.
A knot formed behind Melody’s breastbone as they left the house.
She’d never been involved in an active mission before.
Since being installed as Lady Harlowe’s companion, she’d spent most of her time relaying information through coded messages.
The only fighting she’d done this past year had been at Reed’s Boxing Club when Samantha was using the place as a means by which to cross paths with Croft.
They’d convinced him to help them set up a training center for women, so they could learn to defend themselves. Melody had enjoyed the exertion, but after spending the last six months mostly sitting or strolling about, she wondered if she even had the stamina to keep up with a skilled opponent.
“You’re worried and rightfully so,” Harlowe was saying, “but remember, your training is far superior to that of anyone you’ll encounter tonight.”
“I haven’t picked up a weapon in years,” she muttered.
“Trust yourself, Melody. You’ll know what to do once you’re in the moment. All the drills I had you do has made combat second nature to you. As instinctual as breathing.”
She prayed he was right. “How many men will we be facing?”
“Eight, if I’m not mistaken, but they’re mostly muscle. None are as capable as you and your sisters.”
Eight was still a high number when they were only three. “Where is she being held?”
“In the middle of Seven Dials. O’Leary acquired a house there as soon as he landed in England. He’s been planning his take-down of Croft from there ever since.”
“And you know this how?”
He settled back against the squabs, a satisfied smile pulling his lips sideways. The dim light from the low afternoon sun cast him in shadow. “Do you honestly need to ask?”
She returned his smile for the sole purpose of looking agreeable. “I suppose not.”
He’d been England’s foremost spy in his youth.
When he’d turned his attention toward the project that would become his life’s work, he’d not just taken in foundling girls and trained them.
He’d also created a network of people ready to offer assistance whenever the need arose.
Informants mostly, but also errand boys and messengers for the girls to rely on.
Melody had interacted with several of them over the years, though she’d not understood until now just how vast the network actually was.
“We’ll need to know every alleyway leading to and from that house. The most direct means of escape. It would help if we had the building’s layout as well.”
“You see? Instinct.” He gave her a pointed look.
“I’ve drawn up a rough map outlining the route you’ll take from the drop-off point.
Holly and Tara will lead the way, making room for you to locate Samantha and set her free.
Unfortunately, a layout of the building is beyond my abilities, so you’ll have to adjust to your surroundings once you arrive. ”
They continued onward in silence, Melody’s mind occupied by what Harlowe had told her and by the task ahead.
When they reached Clearview House, Holly and Tara were waiting for her in the parlor.
Both were dressed in shirts and breeches, their weapons either strapped to their bodies or tucked away in cleverly crafted pockets from which they could be easily accessed.
“I’ll go and change,” Melody said after greeting the pair.
“Your room is as you left it,” Harlowe told her. “You’ll find appropriate clothing there. When you’re ready, feel free to select any weapons you want from the armory.”
Stomach tight, Melody turned from him and went to find her former bedchamber. It was strange to set foot in there — as though it belonged to a previous life.
Swallowing, she trailed her fingertips over the dresser that stood by the door.
The room faced west so beams from the setting sun lit the space with a red-golden glow.
She slid her gaze over each surface: the neatly made bed, the vanity table and its accompanying mirror, the wardrobe in which she’d once hidden while playing hide and go seek.
Memories flooded her mind. Both good and bad. She’d been happy here for the most part. Compared with St. Christopher’s it had been heaven. But it had also been tough, the training sessions increasingly rigorous as she grew older.
Harlowe had used a firm hand that brooked no nonsense. He’d made them exercise daily, for hours on end, both inside and outside. No matter the weather.
The experience had shaped them all. Their skills had been honed, their minds forced to embrace efficiency and perfection above all else. Failure wasn’t an option. Failure would get them killed.
An unsteady breath escaped her as she turned to find Hazel watching from the doorway. A smile touched her lips. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too,” Melody told her, already closing the distance so she could embrace her. “How’s your leg?”
“Better with each passing day. I started training again last month, but it will still take a while before I’ve regained the strength and flexibility I had before.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too. I’d have loved to come with you tonight.”
Melody pressed her lips together and nodded, then stepped back and went to find her clothes. “I have to say, I’d prefer it if you could go in my stead.”
She pulled open a drawer as Hazel said, “Don’t be nervous. Instinct will see you through this. It’s what you trained for.”
“Maybe, but it’s not what I’ve been doing these past two years.” With a sigh, she picked out a shirt. “While I’ve tried to stay in shape, I’m not sure I’ve succeeded as well as I should have.”
“Did you do the daily exercises Harlowe told you to do?”
“Of course.” She’d done more because she’d known it could one day mean the difference between life and death.
“Then you’ve no need for concern. Especially since you’re not heading into this fight unarmed.”
“You’re right.” Yet Melody remained anxious while she dressed. The feeling stayed with her while she selected her weapons: two pistols, two daggers, and a couple of ring knives with mother-of-pearl protective covers.
Her nervousness still hadn’t abated when she left the house with Holly and Tara. But maybe that was a good thing she realized as they raced toward the location Harlowe had told them about.
Perhaps it would help her stay vigilant so she could avoid getting hurt.