Dark brown was the natural color of Nicholas’ hair, but due to the nature of his job, he was used to wearing it in different colors. Sometimes the color was achieved through the use of chemical dyes but he personally preferred wearing a wig for the sake of convenience. He would have worn fake hair to the pub the night before, but the possibility of spending the night with Caroline made him reconsider. Therefore, the gentleman had to go through the painstaking process of thoroughly washing his hair in a hurry, in an inn where he checked in disguised as a middle class worker. The result was Mr. Bennett’s foul disposition, which made Nick’s overall temperament a bit more sour than usual.

The two gentlemen spoke strictly of business while they were in the carriage, heading to the Abbott’s estate. Neither was enthusiastic to commit to some small talk.

“I will personally deliver this to the foreign registry,” Nick was saying as he and his handler sat opposite one another inside the carriage. It was cloudy outside and for the tired Nicholas it was a day best spent at home, in bed, sleeping. Then again, just like what he told Caroline, there were pressing matters that needed his attention. “Brown is only one of the people we are watching. I’ve got names of other possible suspects from our informants.”

Bennett was watching him carefully. There was no humor in his sharp, hawk-like eyes, because they were surely late for their appointment, which he clearly prepared himself for. Nick thought the older gentleman looked forward to the lunch meeting, he even wore his fine clothing and scolded Nick about how it was a bad manner to be late in any appointment. Then again, Mr. Charles Bennett (a.k.a. Mr. Nicholas Rochford III) looked positively interested with the output of his spy. “Good,” he commented, nodding. “I have to admit, the information network you built is impressive. It is expensive, but impressive.”

Nick shrugged, dismissing the compliment. “Thank you, my lord. And what news of the other boys the Service has planted?”

“Not as much progress, I’m afraid,” he sighed, picking up his hat from its perch on the bench. They have entered the estate of the Abbotts. “We both know how difficult it is to blend in with the high society, and not everyone is as lucky and,” Nick’s handler paused as if choosing the right word, “as charming as you are, James. Her Majesty doesn’t trust any of the peers of the realm, including their counterparts in the parliament.” He fished inside his coat for a small jeweled box then tossed it to Nicholas. “A little present for your future bride.”

Nick snatched the box from midair and made a noncommittal nod. In other words, Bennett was saying that there was no one as foolish as him to marry a stranger for the sake of his cover. “If we are successful in destroying the enemy’s network within ours before the wedding, is there a possibility of not --”

“If that is the case, then yes, you may not marry Ms. Abbott. However,” he cleared his throat as the horse whinnied and the carriage stopped. “Lord Abbott and I agreed to have the celebration in two weeks.”

Nicholas’ eyes widened in disbelief. While still in a state of shock, Mr. Bennett took the opportunity to push the carriage door open and step outside saying, “What a lovely day.”

*****

The Rochfords were received by the Abbott’s household with hospitality. They were directed to a seating room where Lord Abbott met them without his daughter. In an instant, the gentlemen – Bennett & Flannagan – stepped into the shoes of the polite rich businessmen that seemed to please the duke. Nicholas was not yet done with his handler. They would have to talk at length when they got back to their townhouse, but letting any of their previous talk get in the way of his acting was not good. He set it aside for the moment and joined Bennett and Lord Abbott in small talk until the duke announced that they should be already eating.

“Gentlemen, the hour is late. Let us not waste time talking with our stomachs empty,” the duke said, gesturing for the Rochfords to follow him to the kitchen. On their way, he asked a servant to fetch his daughter and bring her to the dining hall.