Page 58 of Choosing Her Earl at Last
Theodocia waved her apology away with the bat of a hand. “I heard everything,” she informed them, giving Michael a look of assessment. Her brow raised in what expression no one could be certain. “I misjudged you, Ravenshollow. I am not often wrong, but when I am, I admit it. You do truly care for my daughter and would have been a better fit in the end.”
Emmeline nearly fell on the floor in shock. Michael’s expression was agape. He had been stunned to silence.
“Mother…” Emmeline began, but had no words to continue speaking.
Theodocia moved to sit next to her daughter upon the settee. “Is there a way to alert the authorities without this scoundrel, Mr. G, knowing about it?”
Michael shook his head. “I do not know. He appears to have connections with some of the local magistrates. We have no way of discovering which men might be compromised.”
“What of your father’s friend?” Colin asked Michael. “Surely, he is not compromised. Your father is an excellent judge of character.”
Michael nodded. “He is a good and honorable man. I do not believe that he is corrupt.”
Theodocia nodded her head in approval. “Is there a way to notify this friend without Mr. G being any the wiser?”
“Mr. G has spies that run the length and breadth of London, my lady,” Mr. Hardy volunteered. “I witnessed much during my time observing the Green Dragon, and if something is happening within the city, he knows about it.”
Theodocia frowned. “Hmm,” she hummed in disapproval. “Would he be watching your father?” she asked of Michael.
“I would not think so, as he is in the country,” Michael responded.
“I recommend that you send word to your father. I trust that he could get a message to his friend without raising questions?”
Michael nodded in agreement. “That is correct. They communicate regularly. I shall write to him immediately and enclose a letter for the magistrate within it.”
Theodocia nodded in approval. “Please make plain to him our situation and that his discretion is imperative.”
“I shall endeavor to do just that,” Michael agreed.
“Mr. Hardy,” Theodocia commanded. “Please bring the earl a quill and paper.”
“With all haste, my lady,” the butler agreed, placing the fire poker back in its holder, then left the room to do as bidden.
At this point in the conversation, Theodocia leveled her daughter with a firm look that did not allow for argument. “You will not be meeting with Rebecca’s abductors. I will not hear any further argument on the matter. Mr. Hardy will deliver the ransom price for your sister.”
Emmeline opened her mouth to argue in spite of the warning tone in her mother’s voice, but Theodocia raised her hand in a gesture for her to cease. “I will not hear it.”
Sighing, Emmeline closed her mouth and sat back in her seat. She would not argue with another person on the matter.They have left me with no choice but to take matters into my own hands.
Chapter 24
Michael and Colin walked carefully toward the designated meeting place with Mr. G. While Theodocia Frampton had preferred Ezra Hardy to fulfill the exchange, Michael and Colin had insisted on being the ones to deliver the ransom. When Michael’s father had spoken with his friend, the magistrate, he had advised them to inform the Bow Street Runners in spite of the risk to Rebecca, should Mr. G discover their plan.
He had included a list of those that he felt were the most trusted among them and had also advised that a nobleman make the meeting instead of a servant. He had reasoned that no matter how trusted the servant might be, if anything went wrong, Mr. Hardy would have been held responsible under the law. Michael and Colin had been unwilling to risk anyone else in that way.
“Do you see anything?” Colin asked, his voice held a tone of nervousness as he searched the area around them.
Michael shook his head. “No, but I know that they are there. The magistrate said that the Runners would be surrounding us the entire time.”
Colin nodded, continuing to move forward. “I do not like placing Rebecca in danger this way.”
“We have no choice. We could not allow Emmeline to risk herself. Even her mother agreed that it was out of the question,” Michael reminded him.
“She was greatly displeased by it. I thought that she was going to stab you with the fire poker,” Colin admitted.
“As did I,” Michael agreed. “It is entirely possible that she will harbor deep resentment for days to come.”
Colin gave him a skeptical look. “Years, is more likely given the way that she was looking at you.”
