Free A Highlander's Heart: A Sexy Regency Romance (Highland Knights Book 1) by Jennifer Haymore

him, leaving him alone in the room with a short man with a balding pate and bushy gray eyebrows, who rose from behind a desk to greet him.
    “Major Campbell, I presume.”
    “Aye.”
    “Very good to meet you, sir.” The man held out his hand. “I am Henry Adams.”
    Rob shook Adams’s hand, noting the confident, firm grip.
    “Please be seated.” Adams gestured to the several chairs placed on the other side of his desk. Rob took the one in the center of the group.
    Adams opened a folder on his desk. “I’ve just been reading over your service record, and that of your men. It is very impressive.”
    He paused, as if expecting a response. When Rob didn’t provide one, he continued, “You and your 92nd Regiment performed admirably at Waterloo last week, which must have been a challenge given the loss of your colonel at Quatre Bras.”
    “Our men were well trained. And the colonel prepared me for the possibility that I might have to take his place one day,” Rob said stiffly.
    “Your regiment was also instrumental on the Peninsula. And your service, of course, was exemplary. There has been much written about your rescue of Wellington as well as your prowess in battle, you’ve married an English earl’s daughter, and you’ve become somewhat of a national hero over the past few years.”
    Rob stared at Adams, willing the man to get to his point.
    “You’re probably wondering why we’ve asked you here,” Adams said, his smile bordering on sheepish.
    Probably?
“Aye,” Rob said gruffly.
    “Then I’ll get straight to the crux of the matter, Major. You have proven yourself a great patriot, and this country needs you.”
    Rob’s brows rose. “In what capacity?”
    “Ah, well, allow me to explain. I am the leader of an agency within the government unknown to the public. We work within the country to protect the interests of the monarchy. We have intercepted French spies, stopped plots against the king and the royal family, and served our country in countless ways since our inception twenty years ago.”
    Rob leaned forward, listening with interest, his mind churning.
    “Now that the battle with Napoleon appears to be behind us, we must return our attention to the problems at home. You see, Major, there has been civil unrest, especially in the north. This turbulence is unknown to most of the populace, but left unchecked, the situation is apt to become serious indeed.”
    “Is it?”
    Adams nodded soberly. “A certain level of dissatisfaction with government is to be expected, of course, but this appears to be more severe. It appears to be verging on treason. Per our accounts, there are cells of rebels in Scotland, most centering in the sparsely populated areas of the Highlands.”
    Rob leaned back. The pieces of this puzzle were falling into place. “And ye wish for us to stop them.”
    “Not only them, Major. I want you to consider making this your life’s work. Those of you who are officers will retire your commissions and the sergeants will be discharged. You and your men will join together as civilians with the singular goal of keeping the country we love safe from harm. You will no longer be sent to foreign lands for the army, but you will remain in England and Scotland, working solely in the interests of the monarchy. You will put a stop to treasonous and seditious acts. You will protect the crown at all costs.”
    “And what’ll I be receiving in return for possibly sacrificing my life for this cause?”
    “A generous living. Land and houses in both England and Scotland. And the peace of mind that you are protecting your country from those who would destroy it.”
    “And why’d ye choose us?” Rob asked. “It didna escape our notice that we’ve all links to the gentry.”
    “All of you save the sergeants.”
    “Who were chosen by myself,” Rob said.
    Adams gazed at Rob appraisingly. “It is because many of your tasks will require you to be in positions of power. Your links to the