A Most Mysterious Gentleman (#1 Sweet Nineteenth Series) VERY SLOW UPDATES

AMMG ~40~

Of course he didn't like to admit he'd found her little strop amusing, that would take half the fun out of it. He'd lain awake most of the night, regardless of his ambition to sleep, brain whirring with possible code crackers. As a result he did feel a tad more irritable than usual, his body clock, accustomed to the easy life of gentility, had forgotten how to cope with odd hours of sleep.

Looking at her gaping face, he allowed himself another grin.

"Excuse me?"

"I know how he's going to try to kill some members of parliament."

Her shocked face, wide eyes and open mouth, gave her the air of innocence he had seen before the whole fiasco. Her blonde hair was wrapped in a sort of grecian style he wasn't used to seeing on a woman. He felt the odd urge to unwrap it. He shook that feeling away. That would decidedly not go anywhere useful.

"How?"

"Well it was quite simple really-" He stopped to take a drink of his cup of tea, and waggled his eyebrows over the cup at her annoyed expression.

"But how, Henry?" Her eyebrows were very low, scowling at him from behind the rim of the teacup in his vision.

"It was simply the matter of finding the right code breaker, the right sequence of letters that matched with the corresponding symbols."

Her scowl didn't lighten, "I am aware of the basics of code breaking, Your Grace. Some of us did actually learn the art of reading, and have many skills in picking locks and tying knots."

At his surprised expression, she swatted him playfully. "Come now, you didn't imagine all young ladies are content to sit embroidering all day?"

He guffawed, lack of sleep had completely addled his mind he thought quickly. Why else would he find this so funny in light of the seriousness of the events?

"Well, anyway my Lady, it was almost the easiest thing once we found it. George helped me," he gestured to George and she waved.

"Hullo George!"

"Good morning my Lady!" Rosalie giggled and Henry felt a profound sense of jealousy spear his gut.

Oh that would not do.

"Anyway," he snapped but quickly softened his tone, "they are a rather stupid bunch. They chose the corresponding symbols in the Spencean Chronicles. Rather simple when one looks for it actually. It's a pity they aren't more intelligent. Cunning, but very stupid."

"Oh well done to you!"

Henry raised an eyebrow at her enthusiasm. She blushed. "Sorry, I'm just so excited to finally catch him. I'd really like to give him an, is it called an 'uppercut' or something?"

He grinned. "You know proper young ladies do not dream of punching Lords."

Her smile fell, "Proper young ladies do not have a stump of a leg either, Your Grace."

Fleeting panic coursed through him. What was the appropriate answer to this? Not knowing how to put it into words, he grabbed her to him and pulled his arms around her. "It's a good thing I don't like proper young ladies then."

She pulled away from his hug and kissed him soundly. "That was a most appropriate answer, Your Grace."

A profound sense of pride was abated by a cheeky whistle. He scowled, turning.

"One does not whistle at the Duke and future Duchess of Trent embracing. Are we clear?"

The men clearly did not respect him as several just winked back.

"Don't look so ferocious."

"They didn't scamper away in fear. They don't respect me."

"Oh get off your high horse, Henry. Of course they respect you. They just felt comfortable enough to tease you. You'll have more loyalty if you aren't an arrogant ass."

"Definitely not a modest young lady, are you?" He murmured into her hair, the smile in his tone forever lightening his countenance.

"Your Grace? We are soon ready to depart!" The male voice amongst the clamour stood out.

He separated from the young lady. "Ready the carriages!"

"Yes Sir!"

The military men he'd hired were just the job, obedient, if impertinent, and well trained in weaponry. They would be perfect for any situation they might encounter.

"Henry?"

"Yes?"

"Where are you going, and what are my Father and I supposed to do?"

"Oh my dear, we don't think we'd leave you behind on such an adventure? You'd just follow us anyway. Besides, you're a smart thinker, you could give a different perspective on strategic matters."

Her heart-stopping smile sent another piercing sensation through his gut. It was really quite remarkable how stunning she was.

"You'd do that for me? You risk disdain for letting a woman come with you."

"Of course! With your Father as chaperone, and the unlikelihood of the London gentility finding out about our little excursion, due to its secret nature, I cannot myself find an issue. The future Duchess of Trent will not been seen to be the fragile sort. I respect you for your strength, and the men do too."

He pointed at several men sending admiring glances her way. "Even with an injury that would send any man into the deepest, blackest of moods, you have carried on serving your country. These are military men, they recognise that in you and see that in themselves and their comrades. You are a remarkable woman, Rosalie.'

She kissed him again. "I love you," she blurted.

Yes this is the end of the chapter- sorry it's short and has an abrupt ending!