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bring Papa back , she mentally shook herself.   Justin stretched awake on his seat and Clarissa gently shook Gertrude awake.   “Gertie, we’re here.”
    “Already?   Well, that was a quick drive, wasn’t it?” she asked, stifling a yawn.   One corner of Clarissa’s lip quirked up in a grin.   “Clare you are so beautiful when you smile,” Gertie caressed her cheek fondly, “you really should do it more often.”
    “When I know Papa is all right, I will.   I promise you.”   Gertrude nodded her head in acceptance.
    “Ladies, shall we?” Justin disembarked from the carriage and held out a hand to help the women.   “Meet King and Prince.   Do not be afraid, they have more bark than bite.”   The big dogs went straight to Clarissa, butting against her legs for attention.   Clarissa patted each dog in turn talking gently to them before following Gertrude and Justin inside.   Justin stopped at the door and petted the dogs once more before uttering a command that sounded very guttural.   The dogs perked up, before turning in opposite directions and running towards the perimeter of the property.   When he saw Clarissa’s curious expression, he clarified, “The guard has been set.”
    “What about Franklin?”  
    “Between the boys and my people, you have nothing to fear.   You’re as safe as you can possibly be here.”
    “Thank you for your help.   And I apologize for running off earlier this morning.   I thought I was doing the right thing.”
    Justin inclined his head before turning and calling, “Barkley,” down the hall.
    “Yes, young master?”   Justin rolled his eyes.   Only Barkley still called him young master, making him feel all of about five-years-old sometimes.   Barkley had flyaway reddish-white hair and always looked sedate in his butler’s uniform.
    “Barkley, we are going to have two guests for a few days.”
    “I will have two rooms readied right away.   It is good to see you again, Lady Heathrow.”
    “You as well, Barkley.”
    “A few days?   We should be searching for my father immediately,” Clarissa insisted.
    “Would you two ladies come with me?” Justin asked, ignoring her.   They followed him into a very sedate parlor.   The decor was done in cream and pale blue with manly accents scattered here and there.   When his mother decorated, she tried to make every room welcoming to anyone who might occupy it.
    Justin shut the door and Clarissa whirled around, hands placed firmly on her slim hips.   “Well?” She demanded.
    “Darling, hear him out.   I’m sure Justin has a good reason for everything he’s doing.”
    “Thank you, Gertie,” he bowed to his godmother.
    Clarissa rolled her eyes and turned, crossing the room to look out the window.   The dogs were frolicking off in the distance.   She saw her father’s carriage disappear around a bend as if it were headed back to London.   It traveled at a leisurely pace, and why not?   Why should Franklin be in a hurry?   He knew where he could find her, and evidently she would be here for a while.
    “Are you ready to listen?” She heard Justin ask from across the room.
    “I’m listening,” she said, refusing to turn around.
    “I have business in London tomorrow that I cannot get out of.”   At that, she spun around, her hands fisted at her side, her mouth hanging open.   He took a deep breath, deciding the only way she would be happy was if she knew the entire truth.   He also did not care for subterfuge and did not like coming up with empty excuses time after time.   “Clarissa, I work at the Foreign Office.   I have a debriefing with the Director about my last assignment.   There is no way I can miss this meeting.”
    Her mouth closed, and she spun back around to look out the window.   Had she really employed the help of a government spy?   He worked at the Foreign Office?   He is half Scottish.   Do they really allow people who are not pure English to work in such a lofty