Author's Note: This is the final part of this section of the story. For my own sake I have decided to split the story up, so this will conclude the current part and I can only say I'm sorry its taken me a bit longer to get this part up for all of you than I would have liked.

It was some sort of noise that woke Ruth, the light that shone through the thin glimmer in the curtains betrayed the fact that it was already some time into the morning. The drapes around the four poster bed she was sleeping in had not been drawn the night before and so she had a chance to look around Sir Harry's bedroom in the broad light of day. It was modest, but well appointed with oak panelling on the walls and the sturdy sort of hardwood furniture that could withstand long military campaigns. The building itself was solid without vermin or damp and seemed a perfectly suitable place for a man of Harry's rank to keep a room for a while. However there were few personal features, the furniture seemed to come with the room and it did not have the air of a beloved, lived-in sort of place. It was temporary and perfunctory. Ruth got up to take a better look and noted it was filled with dark hardwood furniture – there was a fireplace, a round table and a number of chairs for dining or playing cards, there was a good sized desk at the window that seemed little used, a faded Persian rug on the floor and the chairs in front of the fireplace in which she and the General had been seated the night before.

Half an hour later after using the chamber pot and Mrs James had appeared and brought a basin of water, Ruth redressed in her clothes from the night before. They were in that indeterminate state between damp and dry that resulted in drying in a room with no air and in spite of having not quite dried properly, Ruth realised she was going to have to put up with the discomfort until she could get home to change. Having done everything she possibly could to make herself ready, there was a quiet knock at the door which Ruth hurried to answer. The idea that this might be unwise given the events of the night before did not occur to her, only when she opened the thick oak door to find Cousin Malcolm on the other side did she realise that it could have been literally anyone.

"Ruth!" Malcolm exclaimed with great surprise. "You dark horse!"

Quite unexpectedly, Ruth found herself crushed in his embrace and she had to admit, she needed the comfort.

"I have to confess I'm a little relieved. I tried calling on you at your house earlier but it was shut up and no one was there. I was quite worried. Is Harry around?"

"No. He's at the office."

"Is he? Well, Mum's the word, Ruth. You can tell him I called," Malcolm leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "And good for you. You deserve a bit of fun."

"I...Malcolm, we're not...that is to say..."

Malcolm tapped his nose and winked. "Officially, of course, I've got to tell you that the church strongly disapproves of such behaviour."

"I'm aware," Ruth stared at her hands.

"Unofficially..." Malcolm continued. Ruth sent her Cousin her severest glare and abruptly he shut his mouth. "Well then, I suppose I'd best be going. I only came to take my leave before I head back to my parish."

"Malcolm..."

"Ruth?"

"Malcolm, my house was broken into last night. My maid was killed and I was myself was very nearly kidnapped. Only the arrival of Lance-Corporal Hunter and General Pearce saved me from the same fate. You mustn't tell anyone, only General Pearce took me here because I had nowhere else to go. He's been up all night with it."

"Dear God!" Malcolm gasped.

Behind Malcolm, footsteps sounded on the stairs and Sir Harry himself appeared, looking like he had been up all night, which Miss Evershed supposed was probably true. Sir Harry blinked, surprised to find himself standing on the landing outside his room with two very familiar people standing watching him.

"Good morning, Harry," Malcolm muttered. There was a warmth in his eyes, Ruth noticed, and she wondered for a moment about Malcolm's tendencies. "I believe the hour has just gone eleven o'clock. Late night?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Taking my leave, but I can see I'm interrupting something."

"Nonsense. I came to pick up Miss Evershed. I've been at the office all night."

It was General Pearce who volunteered to ask Mrs James for some refreshments and Malcolm sat down with the two of them to toast and eggs and coffee and tea while Mrs James tutted loudly about General Pearce's work schedule and berated Ruth for not making him wear a clean shirt, something that resulted in Ruth looking at once rather helpless and completely alarmed. The three friends enjoyed a large late breakfast together with plenty of tea and it was with the delight of an hour spent in good company that they bid farewell to Malcolm before General and Miss Evershed left his rooms in order to return to the Evershed house.

Sir Harry had, somehow, managed to bring the carriage that went with Jane's former household and Ruth began to protest it was too much, that a cab would do.

"After my meeting first thing I had to call in to arrange a small matter regarding a few of the servants," Sir Harry explained, "And as I was there anyway it seemed absurd not to use the means at my disposal for our conveyance."

"General Pearce, you have been as gracious and wonderful as any man could be. I thank you," Ruth smiled shyly and accepted his offer of a hand to ascend into the carriage proper.

Much of the rest of the carriage ride was silent, both of them needing time and space to process the events of the day before. Upon arriving at Miss Evershed's residence, General Pearce accompanied her in and introduced her to two servants who had appeared there apparently overnight. A man and a woman, who were happy to take the attic room at the top of the house that was currently unused.

"General," Miss Evershed said after receiving the introduction, "A word?"

Somewhat reluctantly, General Pearce followed Miss Evershed into her front room where she proceeded to point out all the reasons, financial and otherwise, why it would not be possible for her to have two servants in the house.

"I can't afford them!"

"They are from Jane's household, Miss Evershed. Callum served with me. He is trained in the use of arms and Joanna is experienced in all matters regarding the running of a household. She was a ladies maid but we have come to an understanding and she is willing to take a lower position here with more responsibility. Unfortunately with Jane's passing they are no longer required."

"General, this is absurd."

"Howso?"

"There is a word for a woman who has everything paid for by the men who court her, General Pearce, and it is not a word with which I want to be associated! I thought you of all people, I could trust."

General Pearce hung his head. It didn't seem like insisting she could trust him would do much good at the moment. "Miss Evershed?"

"And it makes me wonder what else you have done behind my back!"

Ruth stood, blazing eyes directed at him, waiting for her answer. Waiting for the denial that never came.

"General?! What have you done? Or should I ask Zoe? Or Daniel Hunter? Or Adam Carter? Will they tell me the truth since you seem so reluctant?"

"The dresses," General Pearce sighed and rubbed his forehead. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "The purse of money for the dresses, it did not come from Zoe's guardian."

The next thing the General felt was the sting of Miss Evershed's hand across his cheek.

"Ruth..."

"Don't you dare! Oh God, why did I not go and stay with Zoe? Why did I let you take me to your rooms last night? Do you know what people will say, General. Do you know what happens to women who are seen in the dead of night with strange men who pay for their clothes and their household?!"

"You are not a kept woman, I assure you, I only wanted you to be able to hold your head up in society!"

"Hold my head up in society?" Ruth screeched, "By paying for-"

"By looking after you!" Sir Harry snapped, "You proud, stubborn, mule of a woman! Don't pretend I do you some dishonour, Madam, when I twice asked for your hand before making any financial overtures towards you!"

"Bigamously!"

"In case it had somehow escaped your attention, Miss Evershed, my former wife is now dead. The point is a moot one at best and only last night you informed me you were reconsidering my offer. Frankly, after what has happened, I would not be human if I was not concerned for your welfare!"

The reminder of the horrific violence that had been vested upon the very house in which they stood only hours before deflated Miss Evershed's ire somewhat but her eyes still blazed like angry blue flames at the man before her.

"You may tell your neighbours that as your own maid was murdered in that very room, an old acquaintance of your father has been so good as to send you some servants on loan. It is not a lie. The dresses no one has any cause to know about and if anyone does find out, by all means let them question my conduct. After a quarter of a century at war I think I can handle a few London gossips!"

"It is not your conduct which will be in question, General. We have been seen together at balls, you have been seen here at my residence several times now. I visited your rooms and spent the night and now you pay the wages of my must see how it looks! General Pearce, if there is one thing I cannot stand it is to be the subject of gossip," Ruth exclaimed with a tumult of anger and distress. "Which is exactly what will happen when all this comes out. My entire reputation is predicated upon the widespread belief that my honour is beyond reproach!"

"Then by all means, Miss Evershed, inform the gossips that we have an understanding. Lord knows I have been trying to secure one with you for long enough!"

"Well maybe I will!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!" Harry snatched for his hat, "I'll show myself out."

Ruth opened her mouth to say something but Sir Harry was already sweeping out the door and she was left to sigh to herself and wring her hands.

Sir Harry was, however, left in some state of confusion. Did they now, indeed, have an understanding after their somewhat heated conversation or had Miss Evershed only expressed herself as she did out of anger and frustration? While Sir Harry could perfectly understand her concerns, he saw nothing untoward about a friend helping out in times of need and having your home attacked and your maid murdered while you stood in the next room definitely, to Sir Harry, constituted a time of need. It would be a complete abrogation of his responsibilities towards her and his feelings to simply wash his hands of the matter and hope for the best.

Unfortunately he had other more pressing matters which required his attention. In spite of the fact that Jane's funeral had only just occurred, William Towers was insisting on meeting with him that afternoon to comprehensively go over everything that Sir Harry had managed to find out about the spy now that they had a named suspect in the form of Lord Hunter. It was anticipated that the meeting would take up the greater portion of the afternoon and before that, Sir Harry knew he must return to Catherine and apologise for the manner in which he had departed the day before.

To Sir Harry's surprise his daughter met him with a hug, which lasted only long enough for her to establish that he had not, as she feared, been killed in a sword fight the previous night. After having established that her father was alive after all, the cold shoulder returned. Graham unfortunately had not yet emerged from his room, even and although it was well past noon, however Sir Harry and his daughter sat down to a lunch of cheese and pork pies for lunch with a selection of new season summer fruits with honey for dessert.

"Father?"

"Catherine?"

"Should I assume from your presence here that Miss Evershed is no longer in danger?"

Harry's fork paused halfway to his mouth as he looked up at his daughter. He noted for the first time that she looked, if anything, worried.

"You left so abruptly and in such a state of alarm that I did not know what to think."

"Miss Evershed's home was attacked last night. Her maid was murdered and an attempt was made to abduct Miss Evershed herself. Undoubtedly the matter is connected with our work. I have sent Callum and Joanna over to look after the household and to see that she is not alone."

"Well that's very admirable father but in such an event I wonder that she wants to go back there at all. Perhaps Miss Evershed might like to stay here for a few days?"

"Whilst you are, of course, welcome to extend the invitation I think you might find Miss Evershed rather more stubborn than you are at present anticipating. She is much attached to her home and besides, it would be rather unkind to expect her to put up with your brother's antics."

"It is his home too, Papa."

Sir Harry smiled when he realised his daughter had inadvertently slipped into her old manner of address. "It is, and it isn't. Legally, of course, it shall pass to you. Your mother and I had discussed it although we had neither of us imagined her passing would occur so abruptly. I suppose in the circumstances it may double-up as your dowry if you should marry. I had been looking at sorting something out in that regard since I have so sadly neglected the subject over the years, much to your detriment, but the house was originally your mother's and it seems appropriate that upon her passing it should go to her daughter."

Catherine was speechless. Her hands hovered, shaking slightly as a single tear tracked down her right cheek.

Harry merely concentrated on his luncheon and continued cutting his meat into small section and eating it. The strained silence between them was now of a rather different nature than it had once been.

"But father...where will you live?"

"I have rooms near Whitehall that will do for now. In the long run," At this point Sir Harry paused, "In the long run I have hopes of remarrying."

"Oh." Catherine's crestfallen expression could hardly be hidden, even after years of disappointment from her father.

"Catherine, you ought to know it is not out of any desire to start a new family or to have new heirs, it is simply that I have spent much of my life alone, or on campaign, and if I should be as fortunate as to win the heart of the right woman I should like the opportunity to grow old in a contented state of companionship."

Visions went through Catherine's head of some of the married women with whom her father had had affairs in the past. Many of them were – in Catherine's own opinion – caustic, money-grabbing and social climbing. What had attracted her father to them in the first place was beyond her, although on second thoughts it was perfectly obvious. Bored housewives with servants to do everything for them and absentee husbands. Her father's wandering eye had doubtless settled upon them with the hope of coming to some mutually beneficial arrangement. Even in his previous visits home during the war Sir Harry Pearce seemed to have spent as much time bedhopping around London as he had at home with his family. None of these women fitted with her father's words about contented companionship and her father's encounters with such women only seemed to create an awful lot of dirty bedlinen for the servants to wash. Yet recently that all seemed to have changed. Catherine had begun to entertain hopes, especially after meeting Miss Evershed, that her father might finally be seeing the error of his ways and be willing to settle down into a more Christian and proper state of fidelity.

"I know you are still grieving for your mother and you will be for some time. I only raise the matter now because..." at this, Sir Harry paused again and cut up another piece of pie off his plate. "Catherine, what do you think of Miss Evershed?"

At the pronouncement of her name, a great sigh of relief let out of Catherine Pearce's body. Of all the women her father could have chosen, from what little Catherine knew of the woman she considered it to be a good match. Catherine's own father was much changed for the better in his behaviour and temperament since he had begun his acquaintance with the woman and although when Miss Evershed had visited, Catherine had presumed her to be just as insensitive and self-serving as all the women who had gone before her, after talking for some time Catherine now knew that not to be the case. Indeed, Catherine had felt quite better after their discussion as it became increasingly clear that of all their visitors, Miss Evershed alone seemed to understand the deep pain and the hopeless sense of being cast adrift in the world, that accompanied the profound grief of losing a beloved parent. Besides, Catherine had hopes of continuing the acquaintance and pursuing the interesting prospect of the lady's numerous contacts in the Royal Navy. The thought of escape from London, of travel and seas and adventures was one of the few things that provided light at the end of the tunnel of mourning.

"She seems amiable enough. Rather different than the women you have pursued in the past," Catherine announced at last.

"Yes," Sir Harry agreed quietly, "But for the better, I think. Catherine, I would not raise the matter so soon after your mother's funeral were it not for the somewhat awkward situation whereby I believe Miss Evershed and I may have inadvertently come to an understanding."

"Inadvertently," Catherine echoed with a query in her voice. "How can you inadvertently come to an understanding?"

"We had an argument."

"You proposed to a woman who has openly declared she has no design on you, in the middle of an argument?"

Sir Harry felt his face heat with a faint blush as his daughter pointed out the absurdity of the situation. Under no circumstances was he yet prepared to reveal the full story of his complicated relationship with Miss Evershed and so he decided sticking to the latest of their encounters was probably simplest, and for the best. "In the wake of her maid's unfortunate death I did not want her to be alone. She stayed elsewhere last night but returned to her residence this morning and so I sent over Callum and Joanna and intimated that I was happy to continue to cover the expense of their employment as her living is so restricted at present in the wake of her father's death. Miss Evershed questioned how socially appropriate it was for me to be making financial contributions towards her household at which point I rashly declared that she was by all means welcome to inform those liable to such gossip that that we had an understanding."

Catherine stared at her father, slightly unable to believe his audacity.

"Yes, well, I thought it best at that point to make a strategic retreat." Sir Harry announced calmly and then continued eating.

Catherine stared at her father a while longer but it seemed he wasn't going to disclose anything further. With a sigh Catherine shook her head and found herself wondering that such a man as he could have achieved any standing at all. For so great a man, he really could be quite obtuse.

It was with some trepidation that Lance-Corporal Daniel Hunter knocked on the door of the reclusive Mister Lucas North. Gentleman. No title. Danny had called at Mister North's club first thing in the morning but had not been permitted entry to the establishment through the front entrance and Danny refused to go around the back and meet in the kitchen to ask permission to marry the woman he loved.

Danny himself was under no illusion about the sort of life he could offer Zoe. Miss Reynolds could marry at the very top of London society should she so choose. She was intelligent and beautiful enough to make a very good match indeed. Yet she had chosen him and Danny had fallen, fallen so hard. The problem for Lance-Corporal Hunter was that he wanted the best for his beloved but society and the law would not permit him to give her the best on account of being illegitimate and on account of the colour of his skin. She would have to live with the permanent indignity of a man who was refused entry, refused commissions and persistently refused service on account of his race. Their children, when they had them, would be black and would be treated likewise. Zoe would be ostracised by the society in which she had been raised for that as well, for her choices in life. They would struggle financially, especially if Danny was cut off by his father as he fully expected to happen when he exposed Lord Hunter's traitorous actions.

The truth was that there were myriad reasons why Miss Zoe Reynolds might have refused him, yet at every turn she had welcomed his advances and encouraged more. He was stuck. For starters he was in love with the woman, so there was then. Then there was the problem that if they did not marry, due to their emotional attachment his father would doubtless abuse or manipulate Zoe in order to control his wayward bastard son. It was no secret now that Danny would do almost anything to keep her safe. Too long had he been conscious of needing to watch his father's every movement in Zoe's presence. Partly Danny blamed himself, for had talked too openly about his feelings at the beginning of the relationship and increasingly now was contemplating the need to go abroad, to escape his father and to make a new life somewhere completely different. Perhaps somehow in all of this he could even aid the cause of abolition. Zoe's political views were in line with his own, but the time that they would have liked to have available to them to sit and talk together was not permitted while they were only courting and while the letters they had exchanged had fast become the most precious things in his possession, it was no substitute for looking on her face when she teased him or seeing her eyes light up when she smiled.

In short, Lance-Corporal Hunter's situation was not the sort of situation that any prospective suitor could boast about, for while his father's family was rich and Danny himself benefited from that, if things went the way that Danny expected them to the future was very uncertain and it was highly probable that they would be much reliant on the charity and goodwill of others. Mister North had every reason to refuse Danny's request, although Danny had a feeling that if he did Zoe would soon be requesting they take a trip to Gretna. At least the Sons of Africa had expressed a willingness to help should they need to flee the country or go underground. At the moment, there was almost nowhere that Danny could envisage being out of his father's reach and bringing the man down was a dangerous game.

He glanced sideways at the male servant who had shown him in and knocked twice on the door with a sound rap.

"Come."

Danny opened the door and, with great trepidation, entered. Behind a grand mahogany desk Mister North's tall, imposing figure rose and reached out a hand. "Lance-Corporal Hunter?"

"Mister North," Danny shook his hand.

Behind them, under the soft gloved hand of a footman, the door closed.

The following day, in a certain street on a certain house, Major General Sir Harry Pearce watched his daughter pull on a black bonnet to accompany her black dress with a measure of concern. Catherine had not been out of the house since her mother died and although she ventured down to the public rooms once or twice each day.

"Catherine are you sure about this?"

"I need to get out of the house, Papa. I am going mad."

Inside his chest, Sir Harry's heart squeezed at the old familiar title but he said nothing to avoid drawing his daughter's attention to her slip.

"I asked you if you thought Miss Evershed might permit me to call on her and you said she would," Catherine reiterated the same argument they had been having ever since the topic had been raised. "I am perfectly capable of sitting a carriage for twenty minutes across town and even if I am not, I believe Miss Evershed to be understanding enough if I should arrive in a flood of tears."

"Indeed," Sir Harry agreed at length. He watched his daughter carefully, but she was strong, Catherine, and held herself together. Harry knew that there were good days and bad days. Days where Catherine coped admirably and other days where she was all but inconsolable. Today was one of the better days and Catherine had resolved to use any excuse she could to get out of the house and make a social visit to the woman who might one day be her new stepmother.

They arrived outside Miss Evershed's residence in the middle of the morning and Sir Harry was greeted at the door by Callum who showed him into the front room where Miss Evershed was sitting perusing a book that seemed to be written in medieval German. When Miss Evershed continued to read, General Pearce glanced over his shoulder at Catherine and then waited another few moments before clearing his throat. At length, Miss Evershed closed the book and looked up.

"Sorry, I was just finishing the paragraph," Miss Evershed explained with every courtesy. They both knew, however, it was a subtle reminder to General Pearce of exactly whose home this was and who was in charge. Yet she rose as any good host would and asked Callum to have some tea brought in.

"Miss Evershed, you are acquainted with my daughter Catherine?"

"Of course," Miss Evershed and Catherine Pearce curtseyed to each other. "You must excuse me for the intrusion, Miss Evershed. You said a visit would not be unwelcome and I took you at your word. I am so fed up staring at the same four walls..."

"Of course," Ruth rushed forwards and clasped Catherine's hand. "Why don't we get some fresh air. There's a park at the end of the street and then we can come back and have some lunch. A nice bowl of lentil broth, perhaps?"

"That would be lovely," Catherine smiled. It was, Sir Harry had to note, the first genuine smile he had seen from Catherine in quite some time and it was down entirely to the felicity of the woman before him. For someone who had never been a mother in her life Sir Harry could not help but observe that she took to the role as naturally as a duck to water. "Papa?"

"My knee will hold up for a short jaunt," Sir Harry agreed.

"Well then," Ruth addressed them, "Let me just get my spencer and boots on. Oh dear, I must speak with Callum..."

Sir Harry smiled dotingly as Miss Evershed fluttered in her own scatty-minded way and dashed off to the kitchen to cancel the tea she had ordered just moments before and, no doubt, request some soup to be readied for their return.

Catherine could not quite bring herself to believe the extraordinary difference in her father's behaviour as a result of Miss Evershed's presence. He was, by all accounts, completely smitten with the woman and the evidence was right there before her eyes. Admittedly it was not entirely appropriate so soon after her mother's death but then they had been divorced and spent so little time together in many years and her father's increasing penchant for isolation and drink had made him more and more difficult to deal with every time he returned home. Until now. "Papa?"

"Hmm?" Harry snapped out of his happy thoughts of Ruth back to the present, but whatever they were going to say was interrupted by Ruth arriving back into the room pulling on a pair of gloves. She took one look at Catherine, declared, "Bonnet!" to the entire room and then promptly walked out again.

Sir Harry chuckled warmly. For someone so intelligent, Miss Evershed could be quite delightfully ridiculous without any intention whatsoever and it was something which Sir Harry found drew him to the woman in a most inexorable way. It was with great pleasure that he offered her his arm and Catherine his other arm and the three of them walked the short distance to Hyde Park. They spent a pleasant hour walking arm in arm, admiring the parkland and the carriages and roses of June.

After a while Catherine began to grow tired and she took a seat by the pond to watch the wildfoul while Sir Harry and Ruth walked arm and arm at an acceptable distance.

"This morning," Ruth began, "When I accepted your offer..."

"Yes."

"Where would we live?" Ruth enquired out of the blue. She was enjoying her time with General Pearce more and more. Each instinctively felt comfortable in the other's presence, there being no need to fill awkward silences and even Ruth's tendency towards babbling nervously had been quelled by closer acquaintance with the man.

"Hmm?" General Pearce looked at her, his lips forming a thoughtful pout.

"If we married," Ruth said, a blush rising to her cheeks at the very thought of marriage to this man, "where would we live?"

"I suppose we might as well live at your current residence, if you are happy there."

"What about your other home? Catherine and Graham?"

"It came to me as part of Jane's dowry, it has always belonged to her family. It will go to Catherine now," General Pearce explained calmly. "As for Graham, unfortunately the apple doesn't fall far, though I like to think I did not sink to the depths of his depravity when I was his age. I would of course do everything in my power to prevent any of your property falling into his hands. It should rightly go to your heirs, as Jane's things will go to hers."

"General Pearce, you must be aware that due to my age the probability of our having children is...unlikely." Ruth blushed, thinking of the events that would have to occur in order for her to become heavy with child. Sir Harry had never spoken of a desire for more children.

"I am aware and I wouldn't have you feel that there is any pressure upon you in that regard yet I confess I have dared to entertain the possibility. It is not, you must understand me, that I wish to marry you for that purpose. I seek your companionship, Miss Evershed. I seek your company. I seek your sharp mind, your conversation and your ability to drink half the admiralty under the table."

Ruth suspected he was teasing her on this point.

"I find pleasure in your company," Sir Harry continued, "And I dare to allow myself to hope that after everything which has passed between us that you may feel the same. In truth I have no need of more heirs but if God sees fit to bless us with a child it would not be unwelcome, would it?"

"No," Ruth confessed quietly. "It wouldn't."

"And as regards property," Harry continued, "I do what I can within the rather restrictive confines of the law. At least there is no entail to worry about," General Pearce looked over at Ruth, at her pale, quiet demeanour and his now ever-present worry for her showed itself in his eyes. "Miss Evershed, are you really quite sure about returning home so soon? The death of your maid-"

"Beth," Ruth supplied.

"Yes, Beth," Sir Harry continued, "No one would expect you to be over it quite so soon. You have have been through rather a lot in quite a short space of time and I fear that until political matters come to some sort of conclusion things may continue in that vein for some time."

"I must confess, the thought of being there does make me somewhat nervous but it is my home, it has always been my home."

"Would you permit me to send over a maid and a manservant? It would put my mind very much at ease."

"Unless I have misremembered, General Pearce, you have already sent over a maid and a manservant."

"And you correctly rebuked me for my presumptuous attitude, Madam."

Miss Evershed, while acknowledging the absurdity of agreeing to something which had already occurred, acquiesced to the request, and she could see it was the correct response when Sir Harry smiled one of his rare smiles that reached his eyes and then he stopped and turned to her and took her hand.

"Are..." Sir Harry stopped, stared down at the ground as if reconsidering his words and then started again. "Are are agreed?" He asked earnestly.

Ruth stared at their hands and then up at his face and nervously nodded, "Yes." She watched as Sir Harry raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers, never breaking eye contact.

"Is there...I feel a little ridiculous asking this," Sir Harry admitted, "But is there a male relative to whom I should speak regarding...regarding permission for..."

"Only Malcolm," Ruth replied with a little shy smile. It still seemed unreal to be admitting her feelings, to be accepting his hand but in spite of all her reasons for staying single all these years, in spite of all her concerns at marrying such a powerful man, Ruth could only admit that joy swelled her heart at the prospect of their union. They were both of them smitten, their laughter ringing out across the stillness of the lake and then just as Sir Harry turned to head back towards Catherine, Ruth grasped the front of his jacket then raised herself up on her toes and kissed him soundly on the lips. It was all Sir Harry could do to remember they were in a public place. When at length the kiss broke off both their chests were heaving.

"I do tend to find," Sir Harry said quietly, "That when one is married, making up is the best part of having arguments."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed," Sir Harry smiled down on her. "I'll make an announcement in the paper."

"Must we?"

"Break half the hearts of London? All those debutantes hoping I'll die in five years and leave them all my money? I think so."

"You could, you know," Ruth told him, some of her own insecurity rising to the surface. "You could have any debutante in London."

"I don't want any debutante, Miss Ruth Evershed. I only want you."

The declaration seemed to put paid to her protests and they walked arm in arm around the lake, Catherine joining them once they arrived at her seat and slowly made their way back to the house. The lake reminded Ruth of her sailing days and so Catherine asked for some stories and Ruth chattered away, talking about mourning periods and plans for dinner parties and all the officers she could invite should Catherine want it.

Behind them Sir Harry watched, his gentleman's walking stick beating out a soft rhythm on the pavement as his daughter and his fiancee bonded. There was much to be apprehensive about. Lord Hunter was still at large, the invasion of the United States of America was under way, the West India Lobby was constantly at work, Daniel Hunter was in an awful predicament with his god-daughter Zoe Reynolds, the exile of Napoleon was not nearly so far away as Sir Harry would like and the lives of those he held dear were even now in constant danger. Yet in spite of it all he allowed himself a moment of joy as the sun in the clear blue sky reflected on the ripples of the water. Birds sang in the trees of the parkland that stretched before them and horses pulling carriages trotted around the carriageway in the distance.

There was more to come, much more. Marriage and children, espionage and intrigue, warfare and strife. Yet in this moment his Ruth loved him and just for a moment as his beloved glanced over at him, a tentative warmth showing in her pale eyes, all was right with the world.

End of Part One

End note: This universe is by no means complete, but as a writer I have decided to post the story in parts. This is already at novel length so this is the first part and I will get started on the next part as soon as I can.