In Berlin, Phileas Fogg was finding his brother's contacts a closed-mouthed group. They were rakes and fops, all of them–younger sons with big ears who were bored with the quiet formal atmosphere at court. Erasmus had cultivated their friendships over cards, wine, and women–Ras's holy trinity of intelligence gathering.
Phileas couldn't unwind enough to be disreputable. After the more formal atmosphere of the Forbidden City and living with the constant ceremony of the Chinese, his approach didn't fit his brother's methods.
Taking over this assignment may have been a mistake. Even Prince Fredrick seems ill at ease with me. But he has his own worries. The princess's recovery is going too slow. His uncle's health and mental state are worse. Soon, he will become second in line, a position to make anyone ill at ease.
Despite those difficulties, Phileas did his job. He found another group of men to associate with closer to his age and of the same informative value. After a month, he blended into the atmosphere and had picked up on a heavy restlessness. It echoed the ill winds blowing through the mountains.
Spring will come late this year.
On March first, Rebecca packed out of Mrs. Morgan's room. Richard's daughters were coming home after their overlong stay with Lady Sutton.
Sir Boniface considered him out of danger. Probably a good thing. Ever since the night we acknowledged our feelings, things have grown tense. I can't give into him while on duty, and duty requires a clearer head than what I'm working with.
She smiled, cleared the last drawer to add to her trunk. Richard had proposed. She told him she couldn't accept without her guardian's consent. "I'm sorry, Richard. I hate to admit it, but I live under English law. Sir Boniface must approve the match and give you permission to court me. And he must tell the Queen since she is my godmother."
"I have already made an appointment with him and shall gain it from both of them." Richard had kissed her brow. "Be prepared to be swept off your feet."
"You've done that already," Rebecca said. "This is going to be interesting. I've grown old enough to be on the proverbial shelf, a confirmed old maid. You are going to turn that on its ear."
Richard had looked inordinately pleased with the idea.
She sighed, turning back to her packing. He makes me feel alive and wonderful. He's already won my heart. I'm going to marry this man. I've just got to convince Sir Boniface it's what I want.
Rebecca considered the way Sir Boniface's manner toward Richard had chilled. He suspects. Well, he will know when Richard has his meeting.
There is still that one drawback.
Her hands shook as she folded the last blouse. One step at a time–Maybe we can strike a compromise. Sir Boniface mentioned an office. I can supervise domestic work. That won't interfere, will it?
Disappointment stirred inside her. She pushed it away.
Supervisory work needs to be done. It wouldn't be like you left the service completely.
Phileas knew the first time he saw us together. No surprise, Phileas has always been intuitive. Wish we could have spent some time together. He would have defended me. Disappointment again raised its head. This time, she let it vent. The needs of the service always take precedence, but I don't have to like it.
Richard walked into the room and hugged Rebecca from behind as she closed her trunk.
Rebecca gave up her musing and sank into his warmth gladly.
He whispered in her ear. "Now that you don't have to watch over me, I am hoping you will allow me to call on you."
Rebecca purred. "Just as soon as you ask Sir Boniface's permission. If you don't do so soon, I will be very disappointed. I will miss not seeing you every day."
"I will be missing a good deal more than just your presence, my dear." Richard kissed her ear. "As soon as decently possible, I will be the first thing you see every day and the last sight you have every night."
Richard chuckled, considering the hoops he would have to jump through to gain Sir Boniface Fogg's approval. Sir Boniface was a canny man and had seen that they had become unprofessionally close. Richard didn't blame him for his chilly attitude.
It looks bad. A confrontation over it had nearly happened, but Rebecca entered the room a moment before Sir Boniface could speak.
Next time, I'll make sure she is elsewhere.
Rebecca reluctantly moved out of Richard's arms when she heard the doorknocker. "That is Erasmus, come to fetch me."
"Another of your protectors staring at me with disapproval."
Richard was only half teasing. He knew the Fogg men were everything to Rebecca. Erasmus Fogg, Richard dismissed. The younger man's opinions were irrelevant to Rebecca and were therefore irrelevant to him. It would be Sir Boniface's approval that was paramount, and Rebecca's elder cousin, Phileas. I may have met him years ago. He didn't mention it when we were introduced. Our first meeting showed no judgement about my growing tender for Rebecca. At least I don't think so. Rebecca hero-worships him, so for her sake, I will renew that acquaintance.
Richard picked up Rebecca's trunk and carried it to the front door. The maid had already opened the door for Erasmus. She bobbed a curtsey and disappeared when she saw them coming.
Erasmus said, "You have everything?"
"Yes, we can leave as soon as this trunk is secured," Rebecca said.
Richard handed the trunk over to Rebecca's cousin and took her hands for his last farewell. "I will see your guardian on Thursday. My schedule with Robert has slowed. We should be able to see each other this weekend."
Rebecca smiled, looking forward to that. One of the first things they had planned was a picnic in the country to introduce Rebecca to Richard's daughters. Rebecca had no worries. If any of his misses acted against her, she would deal with it. I was a handful myself as a child.
Besides, young children were very much the provinces of their governess's. I won't be doing much mothering except maybe with the youngest ones. I'll keep to small stages until they are used to me. By the time I take the reins of Richard's house, the girls will have adjusted.
Erasmus handed Rebecca into Sir Boniface's town carriage after a restrained public goodbye and signaled the driver to head home. He eyed Rebecca as they left the Sutton house, frustrated.
What in the world does she see in him? He had already read Phileas's investigation. The man was solid, proper, and boring; not at all the sort of man Rebecca should take up with. She was too adventurous and spirited for that sort.
He looked over at her, frowning at the smile on her face. "Rebecca–"
"Don't say anything, Ras." Rebecca said before he had the chance. "I know from your tone what you are going to say. I don't want to hear it. I'm so happy right now; I don't want anything to spoil it."