Free The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh by Ella Quinn Page B

This was one of her favorite rooms in the house. All dark leather chairs and sofas, with doors leading to the terrace. “Papa, how are you? We missed you at tea.”
    Sir William sat back. The lines bracketing his mouth and between his eyes seemed deeper. “Good afternoon, my dear.”
    Anna strolled over to stand beside him.
    Letters were neatly stacked in piles on his desk. “You’ve been locked in here so much. I’ve hardly seen you. What have you been working on?”
    He regarded her for several moments, before saying, “Pull up a chair. Let me show you something.”
    Anna took a ladder-backed chair and set it next to him. “What is all this?”
    He handed her a letter. “This is the letter we received telling us Harry died.”
    Anna opened it, and, even though she’d memorized the words long ago, she read it again.
    Her father took that letter and gave her another one, saying, “Here is another one I received from the officer who reportedly signed the death notification. You see how the writing is different?”
    â€œPapa,” Anna glanced from one letter to the other. “How did you get this second letter?”
    â€œNow that the unit is returned,” he said, “I wrote the officer for more information concerning Harry’s death. We’d been given so little.”
    She read the second missive again.

    My dear Sir William,
    I received your letter concerning your son, Mr. Harry Marsh, with no little concern. I never had anyone by that name, either officer or private soldier, in my unit. Particularly not at Badajoz. I am very sorry that someone has played a hoax on you. However, I am happy to be of any help I may be in your quest for the truth of your son’s disappearance or death.
    Your very Obedient Servant
Lord Edward Fanning
Major, 95th Rifles

    Anna’s hands shook. “How could this be? We received the letter from the War Office.”
    â€œI don’t know, my love.” Her father shook his head and pointed to the stack on his left. “I wish I did. These are all letters from other officers. None of them knew Harry. I’m going to London next week and will remain until I have some answers. If Harry didn’t die on the Peninsula, then he might be still alive. Maybe in a hospital somewhere. ”
    â€œI’m going with you,” Anna said.
    Her father nodded. “I’d hoped you would say that. We’ll find Harry, or discover what actually happened to him.”
    Anna hugged her father. “Yes, we will. If we stick together, we Marshes are invincible. I may have an address that will help. The question is, do we want to give them an opportunity to refuse us?”
    â€œLet me think about it. I’ve got some contacts as well. I’d like to write them before we go barging into the War Office.”
    Anna smiled. “Would you mind if I tell Rutherford? He was Harry’s best friend.”
    â€œNo, I don’t mind. Perhaps Rutherford will know something we do not.”
    â€œBut Papa, if he did, wouldn’t he have said something before now?”
    â€œHe does not know that we don’t know Harry didn’t die in Spain.”
    Anna frowned. “Yes, of course.” Clear as mud. Anna went to her room to dress for dinner. In the morning, she’d speak to Rutherford.

Chapter 5
    November 8th, 1814, Weymouth, England
    H arry had spent a few days gathering provisions and equipment needed for his long ride to Kent. He was now in possession of additional clothing, a good horse, a pistol, a knife, cheese and bread for lunch, and letters to innkeepers along the way.
    He hadn’t paid much attention to the draft horses and ponies on the island. When he’d gone with the landlord of the Boot to look at horses, Harry had surprised himself as he went over each horse’s points with a knowledge he hadn’t known he possessed.
    â€œAre you sure you don’t want to take