Free My Lord the Spy by Audrey Harrison

to gather your thoughts?”
    “No,” Milly replied honestly. “But then again, I do not have a title and fortune that would be appealing to many if not all of the debutantes.”
    Henry smiled. “You have just explained exactly why I need that escape, Miss Holland.”
    “I’m struggling to have sympathy for that scenario, My Lord,” Milly responded with a smile. She was too old to be seen as trying to set her cap at Henry, so she was in no danger of having her comments misunderstood.
    “Heartless woman!” Henry teased and was rewarded with a gentle laugh.
    Edmund entertained Charles throughout the picnic while feasting on cold ham and goose. Pork pies and lumps of cheese and large slabs of bread and butter finished the feast. They shared the wine in the stone cups Henry supplied, apologising to the ladies for such basic table service. Charles was easy to talk to, and it enabled Edmund to watch Clara throughout their meal.
    He was aware he had pushed her too far; she had said Charles was young for his age, and Edmund was coming to the conclusion that so was Clara. He determined to make amends; he did not like seeing her looking out of sorts, especially when he had been the cause of it. She had been quiet during the meal, and he missed her easy smile and sparkling eyes.
    After everyone had eaten their fill, Milly settled down to enjoy some time drawing, while the others stretched their legs. Henry said he had seen some berries the last time he visited, so he and Charles set out to find out if they were ripe and gather the sweet treats for everyone if they were.
    “Miss Baker, would you like to accompany me to the clump of trees on the rise? I would like to see the view from there,” Edmund asked pointing to an area a little walk away.
    “I think I’d better stay with my cousin,” Clara responded.
    “I’m perfectly happy here on my own, Clara. Go and have a walk before the others return,” Milly insisted.
    Clara stood and took Edmund’s offered arm, and they walked slowly up the slight incline. “I’m sorry my teasing was ill-judged and caused you pain,” Edmund said as soon as Milly was out of earshot.
    “And I’m sorry for being so vain,” Clara responded with a small smile.
    Edmund laughed. “If you are vain, it is rightly so. You are one of the prettiest girls this season.” Clara flushed, and Edmund squeezed the hand resting on his arm. “It pleases me when I make you flush through compliments and funning. I didn’t like upsetting you; I’m genuinely sorry I caused you distress.” It was a revelation that Edmund actually was sorry he had upset her. Normally he had little regard for anyone’s feelings, especially young single ladies.
    “Thank you,” Clara said, still flushing at the compliment and the feel of him squeezing her hand.
    They reached the top of the small hillock and looked back towards Milly. She was fully engrossed in her sketching. Henry and Charles could not be seen. Edmund let go of Clara and stood looking out over the rolling landscape before him.
    “Looking at this view you could forget that we are at war against the French,” he said, appreciating the peace.
    “It’s easy to forget the fact when we are going about our day-to-day business,” Clara acknowledged, surprised that something like that would perturb the man who seemed so strong and sure of himself. She had not considered him a deep thinker or one who would be affected by something that did feel distant as they went about their daily lives.
    They stood quietly looking over the view until Edmund took hold of Clara’s hand and kissed it. Clara was surprised at the movement, but when Edmund’s eyes met hers any words she was about to utter dried on her lips; the intensity of the deep brown eyes surprised her.
    “Miss Baker, if there is anything you are worried about, if there is ever a moment that you feel unsure or afraid, promise me you will ask me for help,” Edmund said seriously.
    Clara smiled. “I know I