Chapter 51
A NEW BEGINNING
The familiar sights and sounds of London greeted Richard as his carriage made its way through the city’s bustling streets. After months of Mediterranean sun, the gray English sky and air felt strange, almost foreign. Yet there was comfort in returning to familiar territory.
Richard made his way to Admiral Sir David Buckworth at the Admiralty. The meeting he had anticipated as a simple debriefing proved to be entirely different.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, your work in identifying and exposing Captain Walker represents exactly the sort of investigative capability the Crown requires in these troubled times.”
“Thank you, sir. I trust this concludes my assignment.”
“On the contrary, Colonel. It demonstrates why we need men like you in permanent investigative roles.”
“I thank you for the honor, sir. However, I cannot accept. I plan to sell my commission and settle into civilian life. Mrs. Prudence Bell and I will marry and establish a quiet household away from military service.”
“An admirable goal, but potentially premature.” Buckworth grew more serious. “We have similar concerns about British operations in the Orient. Vital trade routes that affect our interests and political situation require careful monitoring. England needs a discerning man to oversee them.
“Sir…”
Buckworth raised his palm. “Allow me a moment, Colonel. A joint cultural and commercial reconnaissance in the Pacific with you and Mrs. Bell is what we are proposing. Your partnership has proven remarkably effective.”
Curious, Richard asked, “How long would such an assignment require?”
“Three to five years, depending on conditions and discoveries. Excellent compensation, official recognition, and the opportunity to continue serving the Crown in ways that utilize both your capabilities.”
Richard left the Admiralty office with his mind racing. The offer was tempting but complicated personally. He had promised Prudence domestic tranquility after the dangers and uncertainties of their Mediterranean adventure.
He found her in the sitting room of her lodgings, reviewing correspondence that accumulated during her absence. The sight of her—elegant, completely at ease in civilized surroundings—made him question whether she would truly wish to embark on another extended journey into uncertain territory.
“Prudence,” he said, settling beside her, while the maid went to order tea. “I have received an extraordinary proposal from Admiral Buckworth.”
She looked at him with immediate interest. “Another assignment? For you?”
“For us.” He outlined Buckworth’s offer, watching her carefully for any reaction. He did not want his eagerness to accept to sway her decision.
“What is your inclination?” she asked simply.
He should have known that he could not hide anything from her. “I will be honest, Prudence. I confess the work appeals to me greatly. But I suspect you would prefer to settle down in a home we could fill with children and happiness.”
Prudence, his dear sweet Prudence, laughed with genuine amusement. “Richard, that life suits Darcy and Elizabeth perfectly.”
“And us?”
“We need to create more memories together,” she said with conviction. “The Orient sounds like the perfect challenge we should embrace.”
“Can we be ready for this undertaking in such a short time?”
“I can be ready tomorrow morning, provided I am your wife when we walk up that gangway,” she replied without hesitation.
Richard wrapped his arms around her, marveling at the perfect alignment of their dreams and ambitions. “Then let us get married, pack our belongings, and purchase a journal of our own to document whatever adventures await us.”
“A journal?” Prudence asked with delighted curiosity.
“Elizabeth’s will provide generations with views we saw with our own eyes. I suspect our own adventures will be equally worthy of documentation.” Richard kissed her forehead tenderly. “Besides, our grandchildren should understand how I won the heart of the most remarkable woman in England.”
“And how I discovered the best and most honorable man on the planet,” she replied, lifting her face for his kiss.
Shortly after their wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fitzwilliam stood at the rail of the HMS Odyssey, the English coast fading into morning mist as they began their journey toward new horizons.
In Prudence’s hands was a leather-bound journal, its first pages already filled with expectations for the voyage ahead.
They had found each other through duty and investigation, but they would explore the world together with love and respect. The Orient awaited, full of mysteries to solve and wonders to discover, exactly the sort of future the newlyweds desired.