CHAPTER 2
“Mr. Harris, welcome to London! We are delighted to have you here. I will take it from here Joseph.”
After a brief nod toward the Butler, the Marquis of Randall extended a firm hand toward the younger gentleman. He was dressed to the nines in fawn-colored breeches and a fine Weston coat.
“Lord Randall, I am delighted to be here. May I ask about your family?”
Phillip smiled, “Indeed you may, the Marchioness is doing very well, she will be happy to see you. And little Auggie is getting bigger every day. He no longer screams the house down, thank the good Lord. And he is walking now!”
Mr. Harris smiled indulgently, “I am happy to hear it, milord, that is excellent news.”
“Come, Mr. Harris, let’s get us something refreshing to drink, and we can discuss our business.”
“I’d be delighted,” Mr. Harris followed the Marquis down the hallway of his grand London townhouse.
They walked over a red and gold carpet that was inlaid over a parquetry border. Everything was opulent and beautiful in the Marquis home.
They went up one flight of stairs and entered the Duke’s study.
“Please, have a seat,” Phillip handed Mr. Harris a tumbler with amber liquid and motioned for him to sit in one of the Rococo armchairs near the fire.
Seated in the other chair, Phillip leaned in, “I have been most anxious for your report, Mr. Harris.”
Mr. Harris straightened in his seat, “Yes, Milord, I have come from Wellington, and the information that was passed to us through the French aristo we were unable to decode.”
“Unable to decode? We have never had problems decoding before?” Phillip frowned, “What was Wellington’s opinion on it?”
“Here, you take a look at it,” Mr. Harris handed a folded piece of paper to Phillip.
Cadet Rousselle a trois habits,
Cadet Rousselle a trois habits,
Deux jaunes, l'autre en papier gris,
Deux jaunes, l'autre en papier gris,
Il met celui-là quand il gèle,
Ou quand il pleut, ou quand il grêle.
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! oui vraiment,
Cadet Rousselle est bon enfant.
“This is just a nursery rhyme?” Phillip frowned, “What are we to learn from this?”
“That is the question,” Mr. Harris replied,” why this verse, and why is three underlined twice. Translated we have:”
Cadet Rousselle has three suits,
Cadet Rousselle has three suits,
Two of them yellow, the other made out of gray paper,
Two of them yellow, the other made out of gray paper,
He wears the latter when it's freezing,
Or when it's raining or when it's hailing.
Oh! Oh! Oh! Yes indeed,
Cadet Rousselle is a good kid.
“Is he mocking the English soldier? I cannot tell?” Phillip mused, “And I don’t see how three plays into anything. Does Wellington see this as a good sign?”
“He feels we are very close to catching Napoleon, but we need someone on the inside that they wouldn’t suspect. There is a new French family in town, the Corbineau’s, we think they are in league with Bonaparte.”
“So, you need someone that can freely move about in society that no one will suspect, that we trust implicitly, to possibly take down the most dangerous enemy of the crown.”
Mr. Harris gave Phillip a wry smile, “In a nutshell, yes, that is precisely what I need.”
“I am going to need some time,” Phillip sighed, “I know plenty of good men, but they are all gentlemen that have been in society for years. And most of them are married. I can’t see any of them wanting to get involved in this business.”
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a man,” Mr. Harris added.
“A woman?” Phillip was shocked. “I couldn’t put a lady in danger!”
“Lord Randall, these are troubling times. We are at war, and every man, woman, and child are at risk while that madman is loose.”
Phillip stared at Mr. Harris, “You are right, of course, you are right. I will keep that in consideration. Give me a few days to ponder this, will you?”
“Certainly!” Mr. Harris agreed, “We appreciate your willingness to assist the war office, Lord Randall, as always.”
*****
Lillian held her breath as she listened to the conversation going on in her older brother’s study. She had no idea who Mr. Harris was. But she had recently been introduced to the Comte Corbineau and his Countess.
Lillian hadn’t been aware that her older brother worked with the war office, but after today it was apparent that he was very much involved. Lillian wanted to do her part for her country, and a small part of her thrilled in knowing that she could do something that nobody else would know about.
She wanted to get her hands on that transcript. Not that Lillian was good at translations, but she wanted to give it a shot. And if anyone would be inconspicuous in society it would be her. Nobody noticed her . . . ever.
However, if it was just a common nursery rhyme, she could figure it out from there. Phillip had said that three was underlined twice. She wondered if any of the other letters had been written differently creating any other patterns.
She just needed to get to Mr. Harris and convince him to give her a chance without her brother finding out. That couldn’t be too hard . . . Could it?
It would be helpful if she had any idea what Mr. Harris looked like. Lillian jumped up from her hiding spot and raced into the hallway just as Phillip and Mr. Harris were exiting the room.
“Oh, pardon the intrusion,” Lillian tried to stifle her smile.
Her older brother smiled kindly at her, “Think nothing of it, Lilly. Mr. Harris, I would like to introduce you to my youngest sister, Lady Lillian Randall. Lilly, I would like you to meet an old friend of mine, Mr. James Harris.”
Lillian offered Mr. Harris her hand while giving him a small curtsey. She was surprised at how young and dashing Mr. Harris appeared to be. She felt her cheeks heat when he kissed the air just above her glove.
“I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Lady Lillian. I know that Lord Randall holds his family in the highest regard.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Harris. Where did you and Phillip meet?” Lillian hoped that her comment seemed common enough.
Mr. Harris gave Phillip a glance, “We met while your brother was serving in the war, milady.”
Lillian couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped. So, had her brother been spying for the war office since he was discharged?
Phillip quickly intervened, “But we are safe from all of that here, dearest. I had best see Mr. Harris on his way.”
“Yes, of course,” Lillian smiled at the two of them, “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Harris. I hope that you enjoy your stay here in London.”
“It was wonderful to meet you as well, Lady Lillian, hopefully our paths will cross again.”
Lillian nodded kindly, but in her heart, she knew that she would make sure of it.