“Truthfully it wouldn’t even extend to hanging for a crime Ididcommit.” No one laughed with him, and he grimaced. “Apologies; ill-timed humor! I will be serious. I didn’t plan to die for the false accusation at all; I planned to escape into Lisbon while I was being transported through town.”
“Cock-sure, you are,” Captain Smythe growled. “I wouldn’t have let you get far.”
Mr. Belvedere smiled apologetically. “I’m sure I would’ve failed.”
The captain snorted.
Richard sighed and rubbed his eyes. “This is a real mess, and no mistake. I think Captain Smythe is right that we will need to take all four of you to the British consulate tomorrow for questioning.”
Sophia had just taken another sip of her hot tea, but she swallowed it quickly. “Must I? I know I did very wrong, but I didn’tknowhowwrong…”
“And I believe you, ma’am,” said Richard. “But where else would yougo?You can hardly wish to be left alone in a foreign country. I’m sure Caroline and Anne wish to help you, but we are going to Istanbul in a matter of days. Your employer will be under arrest, your friends gone, your prospects extremely limited—why, I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving you under such circumstances! You will be safe at the consulate, despite everything. If you are honest, and things are as you have said, you will be released when you get back to London.”
Sophia felt the panic rising in her again. “Ifthey believe me—if Lady Marston does not somehow twist her version of events to condemn me.”
Anne looked to Wentworth. “Isn’t there something we could do, dear? Could we employ her as a maid or a companion ourselves? She could come on to Istanbul with us…”
He shook his head, although regretfully. “She is a witness to Lady Marston’s crimes, however little she may think she knows. We cannot simply hie her off to foreign parts. Nor would I. I’m sorry, Anne, but as much as you pity Mrs. Scott, we do not know her.”
Sophia bit her lip, hearing the finality in his voice. She could understand his point of view, but that did not make it less terrifying.
Caroline recognizedthe justice of what he said. They couldn’t steal away with an accessory to a crime. Richard and Captain Wentworth, particularly as government agents, could not do anything so shady, and itwastrue that they knew next to nothing about Mrs. Scott. It was logical and just, but it was unsatisfying for all that.
In a subdued mood, they all finally retired to their respective cabins. Sophia consented to being locked in her room, and Mr. Belvedere in his. Mr. Knapp—the false Sir Mark—was given a hammock to use down below, as no one wanted to face Lady Marston. Minnie had emerged looking tear-stained and shaken. “She is sleeping, Captain, but she is burnt to the socket. She looks so weigh-faced as you’d never believe! She alternates between rages and tears until I don’t know which way is up.”
“Minnie,” said Richard thoughtfully, “we had not thought to question you, but you may clear up several things. How long have you been employed by Lady Marston?”
“Oh—going on two weeks before the trip, sir. She hired me fresh, my first job since I tried to make the leap from parlor maid, and I was so thankful.”
“Two weeks,” Richard repeated so the others could hear. “And no wonder. Lady Marston wanted a completely fresh servant who knew nothing about Sir Mark or herself. Someone like Minnie, who was not accustomed to serving the gentry. She wouldn’t notice any slight deviations from Mr. Knapp.”
“No, I didn’t notice any—devations, sir,” said poor Minnie. “I knew that Lady Marston was often cross with Sir Mark and greatly disliked sharing a cabin and a bed with him. But many couples is that way! I had no way of knowing it was worse’n that.”
“No, you didn’t. We understand,” Richard said. “Tomorrow Lady Marston and Mr. Knapp—that is, Sir Mark—will be taken to the British consulate, along with Mrs. Scott and Mr. Belvedere. I’ll put in a good word for you. Most likely they’ll have you tend the ladies, and you’ll be sent back to England in the end. Have you family there?”
“Yes, sir—but I need to work.”
“I’m sure you can get another job as a parlor maid or lady’s maid—but I’m glad you will have family to help you find your feet.”
“I suppose so, sir,” said Minnie. “If I have to.”
Yes, Caroline felt oddly defeated as they went to bed, despite the burning thrill she’d felt when she solved the mystery.
25
Sophia, to her surprise, slept deeply that night. It probably proved some proverb or axiom about the sleep of an honest conscience vs a guilty one. But she suspected the previous two nights of tortured sleep left her too exhausted to do otherwise.
When she woke, the cool, moist feeling of the air informed her that it was still very early. She felt genuine relief that she had told the truth about Mr. Belvedere, but it was mixed with deep apprehension.
She would be taken to the consulate today. The authorities would not look kindly on a woman who had been married to a cardsharp, thief, and sometimes highwayman. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Captain Wentworth might be optimistic about her chances, but Sophia was less sanguine. Great crimes had been committed, and nothing encouraged her to think she would escape the consequences. Even if she had been a silly, ignorant accomplice.
And she had not even saved Mr. Belvedere! His credentials would be called into question, and she suspected he had secrets of his own to hide.
Anne brought Sophia’s breakfast to her room—porridge, toast, and tea—but Sophia could not eat very much. Anne stayed and said some very true and good things about fortitude and faith. She also told Sophia she’d written a letter to accompany Sophia to the consulate—not so much a recommendation letter, as a reference of character. She offered encouragement, or meant to, but Sophia’s ears still seemed to be plugged with water—metaphorically speaking—for she could hardly take in the sense of Anne’s words despite hearing them clearly.
“I appreciate your kindness,” Sophia said. “I really do, but I think I need to be alone.”
“I understand. Captain Smythe has hired a carriage and will take Lady Marston and Mr. Knapp to the consulate within the hour. He will return for you and Mr. Belvedere. We thought it safer that you and Lady Marston not ride together.”
