Free My Earl the Spy by Audrey Harrison

comfort to a man, who, these days, seemed to be permanently cold.
    He sat down and started to write a missive to Edmund. He was sure to be returning to London while Henry was still absent, and he wanted to try to persuade Edmund to return to the work in which they had both been involved. Although it gave no pleasure to Henry, he was convinced that, once on his estate, his mind would be focused again; however, inevitably he would be surrounded by reminders that would cause him pain while at home. He took another large gulp of the drink; he had not returned home in quite a long time. He hoped to God the echoes of the only person he had truly loved would no longer haunt his every step. Everything at home reminded him of her and, at this moment, reminders were something that had to be faced. So, as much as he dreaded it, he had to go back to reaffirm his promise.
    A knock on the door disturbed his thoughts, and he placed his glass down whilst acknowledging the sound. The butler entered the room and approached the table with a silver tray containing a card.
    “M’Lud, there is a tradesman wishing to speak to you,” the emphasis on the word communicating fully what the butler thought of such a request. “He is most insistent, repeatedly saying that it is of utmost importance he speak to you. I have threatened to throw him out on his ear for his impertinence, but his demeanour has given me cause to consider that perhaps there is some truth in his words and he is not here just to waste your time.”
    Henry frowned. “Show him in.” The card, clearly stated that it was the printer he had used to produce the leaflets who now wished to see him.
    The butler left the room, and returned seconds later with the gentleman in question. He was no longer dressed in his large apron but wearing the reasonably good quality clothing of a moderately successful tradesman.
    Henry nodded at his butler, and the door was closed behind the servant. “Your visit is a little unexpected, Mr Long.”
    “I’m sorry to interrupt you, My Lord, but there’s been some unwelcome visitors to my business these last few days,” Mr Long responded.
    Henry noticed for the first time a bandaged hand holding the hat that was being turned, the action revealing the discomfort of the man. “Please sit,” Henry commanded. “Tell me what has happened.”
    Mr Long compiled with the instruction and immediately explained about the visit to his premises of a young boy. “At first I just thought he was up to no good, asking who had ordered the pictures to be printed, and he got a clip around the ear for his trouble and sent on his way,” Mr Long said, wanting to reassure the Earl that he had not given the information freely.
    “The next morning, when I was opening up ̶ I do it on my own you see ̶ the little blighter got me from behind and stuck a knife in my neck!” Mr Long, moved his collar slightly and revealed a small cut to his skin.
    “Go on.”
    “Nearly gave me a seizure, I can tell you. Anyways, I’m no pushover, and I grabbed the knife; only the little blighter was too quick and pulled the blade from my hand.” This time the bandaged hand was shown as evidence.
    “Not too deep a cut, I hope,” Henry responded.
    “No, although it’ll be a bugger to work with for a while,” Mr Long acknowledged.
    “Pray continue.”
    “Well, I admit that I was a little shocked at the speed of this young ‘un, and the knife was pointed in my ribs as quick as you could say Jack Flash! I nearly came over a bit faint, I don’t mind admitting; I thought my number was up!”
    “Were you robbed?”
    “Well, he did take my wallet, but that was after he’d found out what he wanted to know. He forced me to tell him exactly who had ordered the pictures I’d printed.”
    “Fine, so he knows I’m after him,” Henry responded nonchalantly. It won’t make much of a difference.”
    “That’s not all, My Lord,” the shamefaced trader said.
    “Go on.”
    “He wanted