Page 37 of The Elusive Phoebe (The Widows of Lavender Cottage #1)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

A rchie woke before dawn, his mind immediately sharp with the weight of responsibility. Phoebe was with child.

He had to repeat the words in his mind over and over so he would believe it.

Phoebe was with child.

He searched his feelings. He sought out any hints of unhappiness? Envy? Revulsion? He’d boldly claimed he would love her even if she was pregnant with another man’s child…and here she was. Had he meant his emotion filled words?

His heart pounded inside him.

He did. He meant every word.

And it helped that Robert was turning out to be such a good man. He’d cared for his wife. He’d wanted what was best. He had been punished for his goodness and now his child was left fatherless, his wife alone.

Archie sat up in bed. Not alone. For Phoebe, he would protect her child, but a part of him felt the importance of helping a good man with his responsibilities left behind, with his child.

A bit astounded at himself, Archie readied for the day with new purpose, even more determined to ensure that everything went as planned.

Through the guest room window at Rosemont Hall, he could see the first pale fingers of light stretching across the manicured grounds, and somewhere in the distance, a blackbird was testing its voice against the morning silence.

In a few hours, they would depart for Brighton, carrying with them the first piece of Robert's elaborate puzzle. But first, there were arrangements to be made—precautions that might mean the difference between a successful journey and disaster.

He dressed quickly and made his way downstairs, where he found Mrs. Thornbury already at work in her sitting room, reviewing household accounts by lamplight.

"Good morning, my lord," she said, rising with a respectful curtsy. "You're about early."

"Mrs. Thornbury, I hope you'll forgive the intrusion, but I need to speak with you about Lady Smalling's safety."

The housekeeper's expression immediately sharpened with attention. "Of course. Is there some specific threat?"

"There may be." Archie chose his words carefully. How much should he reveal? How much did Robert's people already know? "Lady Smalling's inheritance has attracted... unwanted attention. There are parties who believe she possesses certain information they would like to acquire."

"I see." Mrs. Thornbury's tone was carefully neutral, but Archie caught something in her eyes—a flicker of knowledge that suggested she understood more about Robert's work than a typical housekeeper would.

"You know, don't you?" he said quietly. "About Lord Smalling's real activities."

Mrs. Thornbury was silent for a long moment, clearly weighing how much to admit. Finally, she nodded. "Lord Smalling trusted his household staff completely, my lord. We were... aware... of the nature of his service to the Crown."

"Then you understand why I'm concerned about Lady Smalling's safety as she travels to her other properties."

"Indeed I do." The housekeeper moved to her desk and withdrew a sealed envelope. "Lord Smalling left instructions for precisely this situation. He anticipated that Lady Smalling might need additional protection as she claimed her inheritance."

Archie accepted the envelope, noting the unbroken seal bearing Robert's signet. Inside was a letter in the late lord's careful handwriting, along with what appeared to be a list of names and locations.

Lord Lytton, the letter began, and Archie felt a chill of surprise. Robert had known he would be here?

If you are reading this, then my wife has found someone she trusts enough to assist her in claiming what I have left for her. I pray that person is you, for despite our complicated history, I have always believed you to be a man of honor who would protect what is precious.

The enclosed list contains the names of reliable contacts at each of my properties—men and women who can be trusted absolutely and who have been waiting for word that Lady Smalling is ready to begin this journey. They will know how to assist you in keeping her safe.

I also leave you this warning: there are those within the government itself who have reason to fear what they believe I may have left behind.

Trust no one in official positions unless they can provide the authentication phrase: "The lavender blooms in Somerset.

" Anyone who cannot provide this phrase should be considered potentially hostile.

Protect her, Lytton. She is worth more than all the secrets in England.

Robert Smalling

Archie read the letter twice, his respect for the dead man growing with each word. Even in death, Robert was still protecting Phoebe, still thinking three moves ahead.

"Mrs. Thornbury," he said, looking up from the letter, "how many of your staff can be trusted with sensitive matters?"

"All of them, my lord. Lord Smalling handpicked every person in this household. We are, in effect, an extension of his security network."

"Then I need your help." Archie spread the list of contacts on her desk. "We're traveling to Brighton next, then London. According to this, there should be people at each location who can assist us, but I want to be certain they receive word we're coming."

"Leave that to me, my lord. We have... methods... of communication that don't depend on the regular post." Mrs. Thornbury's smile was slight but telling. "Your messages will arrive before you do."

"And here at Rosemont? I need to know that anyone asking questions about Lady Smalling will be told she has not been here recently."

"That can be arranged. As far as anyone knows, Lady Smalling is still in quiet seclusion, recovering from her grief. The property has been maintained by her staff, but she herself has not visited."

Archie felt some of the tension leave his shoulders. These people knew their business, and more importantly, they were absolutely loyal to Phoebe's welfare.

"There is one more thing," Mrs. Thornbury said, her expression growing serious. "Lord Smalling left specific instructions about heightened security protocols. With your permission, I would like to implement them immediately."

"What do they involve?"

"Additional guards disguised as groundskeepers and stable hands. Increased patrols of the property boundaries. And..." She hesitated. "Messages sent to certain contacts in London, alerting them that Lady Smalling has begun claiming her inheritance. "

"Contacts?"

"Government officials who were loyal to Lord Smalling personally. People who can watch for threats and provide warning if hostile parties begin moving toward any of your destinations."

Archie considered this. It went against every instinct to involve more people in their plans, but Robert had clearly anticipated this moment and prepared for it. Who was he to second-guess the man who had spent years protecting Phoebe?

"Do it," he said firmly. "All of it."

Mrs. Thornbury nodded and rose to ring for a servant. Within minutes, two men appeared in her sitting room—both dressed as gardeners, but both carrying themselves with the bearing of soldiers.

"Thompson, Williams," she said crisply, "we are implementing the heightened security protocols as of this morning. You know what to do."

"Yes, ma'am," they replied in unison, and Archie caught the subtle bulge of weapons beneath their work clothes.

"My lord," Mrs. Thornbury continued, "these men and others like them will be watching over Rosemont in your absence. They will also coordinate with similar teams at Lady Smalling's other properties."

"How many people are involved in this network?" Archie asked, somewhat awed by the scope of Robert's preparations.

"Enough," Mrs. Thornbury replied diplomatically. "Lord Smalling believed in being thoroughly prepared."

As the security team departed to begin their enhanced patrols, Archie found himself thinking about the man who had married Phoebe.

Robert Smalling had been more than just a spy—he had been a strategist of remarkable foresight, someone who had anticipated threats and prepared countermeasures years in advance.

"Mrs. Thornbury," he said quietly, "what was he like? Lord Smalling, I mean. As a man, not as an agent."

The housekeeper's expression softened. "He was kind, my lord.

Thoughtful. He remembered birthdays, asked after our families, made sure we were all well cared for.

And he spoke of Lady Smalling constantly—how much he loved her, how eager he was to bring her home, how every improvement to the estate was made with her preferences in mind. "

"He truly loved her."

"As much as he could, I believe. He wanted them to have a love match that lasted.

Which is why he took such care to ensure her safety, even after his death.

" Mrs. Thornbury's eyes grew distant. "He used to sit in his study for hours, writing letters to her that he never sent, planning their future together.

I think losing her to isolation was almost as difficult for him as the dangerous work he was doing. "

The revelation hit Archie like a physical blow. Robert had suffered too, during their separation. The man who had seemingly stolen Phoebe away from him had been as heartbroken by their enforced distance as she was.

"I'm sorry," Mrs. Thornbury said, clearly noticing his expression. "I didn't mean to cause you pain. I know your own feelings for Lady Smalling run deep."

"How could you possibly know that?"

Mrs. Thornbury smiled gently. "Lord Smalling knew, my lord. He made inquiries about you after your departure for India. He kept track of your success, your well-being. I believe he felt... responsible for the way circumstances had separated you from Lady Smalling."

"He kept track of me?" Archie felt something shift in his understanding of the situation.

"Oh yes. And when he learned of your business success, your reputation for integrity, he was... pleased. He said once that if anything ever happened to him, he hoped you might find your way back to her. That you would be worthy of the love he couldn't give her himself."

Archie sank into a chair, overwhelmed by this revelation. Robert hadn't just stolen Phoebe away—he had married her to protect her, suffered through their separation, and ultimately hoped that Archie might be the one to give her the happiness he couldn't provide.

"He was a remarkable man," Archie said finally.

"Yes, he was. And he trusted you to protect what he couldn't." Mrs. Thornbury moved to the window, where early morning light was now streaming across the grounds. "Lady Smalling will be waking soon. You should prepare for your departure."

"Before I go," Archie said, standing, "I want to thank you. All of you. For your loyalty to her, your care for this place, your willingness to help keep her safe."

"It is our honor, my lord. Lady Smalling is precious to all of us—not just because Lord Smalling loved her, but because of who she is herself. Kind, thoughtful, grateful for every service. She has earned our devotion."

As Archie made his way back upstairs to prepare for the journey to Brighton, he carried with him a new understanding of the complex web of loyalty and protection that surrounded Phoebe.

Robert had built more than just houses and hidden puzzles—he had created an entire network of people dedicated to her welfare.

And somehow, impossibly, he had even anticipated that Archie would be part of that network.

The weight of that trust—from a man he had once resented—settled on Archie's shoulders like a mantle.

Robert Smalling had loved Phoebe enough to prepare for his own death, to ensure her safety even if he couldn't be there to provide it personally.

And he had trusted Archie to be worthy of that legacy.

As he knocked softly on Phoebe's door to wake her for their departure, Archie made a silent promise to the man who had loved her first: he would keep her safe, help her claim her inheritance, and protect her right to choose her own future—even if that future didn't include him.

It was the least he could do for the man who had done the same for him.

"Phoebe?" he called softly. "It's time to go to Brighton."

Her answering voice was bright with anticipation, and Archie smiled despite the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. Whatever dangers lay ahead, whatever secrets they uncovered, whatever choices she ultimately made about their future—he would be there for her.

Just as Robert had trusted him to be.

And perhaps, if he was very lucky and very careful, he might prove worthy of not just Robert's trust, but of Phoebe's love as well.

The morning sun was fully risen now, painting the world in shades of gold and possibility. As Archie heard Phoebe moving about her room, preparing for their next adventure, he found himself looking forward to whatever discoveries awaited them in Brighton.

After all, they were just beginning to uncover the full scope of Robert's love for her. And maybe, in the process, Phoebe would discover that love didn't have to mean losing her freedom—it could mean finding someone willing to protect that freedom with his very life.

The thought warmed him more than the morning sunshine as he went to help prepare for their departure to the sea.