“Madame Bellaire is besotted.Perhaps they fear she would betray them out of spite.”
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Peter protested.“What do they gain from having Eleanor?”
“Well, even if Madame Bellaire gives Nicholas the papers he will not be able to use them.Perhaps they will simply ask for them back as the price of Eleanor and Amy’s freedom.Or maybe, more subtly, they will make him confess that he has been fooling Therese all these months and is really in love with his wife.Which should cure her infatuation.”
“And then they kill him.”
Lord Middlethorpe looked at the other man in horror.“And then they have no reason not to kill him.And the woman would probably enjoy doing it.Nick saw this all.That’s why he asked me to look after Eleanor.”
Eleanor and Amywere making the best of the bleak little room in which they were being kept prisoner.
They had arrived at Sir Lionel’s house and been welcomed in his usual effusive manner.Eleanor had regretted not sending round to warn him of their coming so he could absent himself as promised.
In fact, on this occasion her brother’s gushing greeting was sincere.He had never been so glad to see anyone in his life, even if she had brought a companion and a footman.He had done his task; now it was up to Madame Bellaire’s minions to handle the details.
He cheerfully led them up to the dusty attics.Eleanor made sure the strong young footman was in close attendance at all times.The house made her shudder with bad memories.
In the attics, however, she did find a number of items she was pleased to have, including her mother’s sewing box.There was even a trunk of baby clothes that had once been hers.Thomas made three journeys down to the coach.At first Eleanor had been nervous to see him go, but she recognized she could hardly trail up and down behind him.
He did not return from the third journey.Instead, a young man appeared with a pistol in his hand.
“Please be sensible, ladies,” he said quite politely.“You are being abducted.”
They both just gaped.
“Good.I’m glad you’re reasonable.”
Another man came into the room.
“Footman?”queried the first.
“Taken care of, and the carriage sent home.”
“Excellent.Now, ladies, I assure you there is nothing to fear if you are sensible.”
Eleanor suddenly burst out, “You are the man who followed me!”
The young man bowed.He still looked like a clerk.“I had that pleasure, but unfortunately your husband found out and took preventive measures.You have been well protected, Mrs.Delaney, but not well enough.”
“But what do you want?”asked the bewildered Amy.
“Merely to keep you both safe so some business can be completed without complication.”
“I don’t understand,” wailed Amy.Eleanor quickly put am arm around the frightened girl.
“I will come with you,” she said, “but let Miss Haile go.She has no part in this.”She was busily wondering who was responsible for this.The plotters?But it was Lionel who threatened to betray them, and he would not be restrained by a threat to Eleanor and Amy.
“Impossible, I’m afraid,” said the young man with regret.“We do not want the alarm given too soon.Tie their hands, Jim, but not too tight.They are ladies, after all.I am afraid, Mrs.Delaney, that the only alternative to taking your friend with us is to tie her up tightly and leave her locked somewhere in this house.She will do better with you.”
“Don’t worry about me, Eleanor,” said Amy bravely.Then she added to the man, “You must see that Mrs.Delaney is in a certain condition.A shock could be dangerous.”
“I am aware of it, Miss Haile.If you both cooperate there will be no problems.You will simply be taken in a comfortable carriage to a house, and kept in a room there.A plain room, but with all the necessities.You will be fed and given anything within reason you require.Later tonight, if everything goes well, you will be released close to Lauriston Street.As you see, there is nothing to fear.”
Eleanor had not been listening to this, and had hardly been aware of her hands being tied in front of her.She was continuing her analysis.This could only mean that Nicholas intended to betray the plot.He had come to his senses.That was what he had meant when he said it was all going to unravel.But what would he do now she was in danger?
The young man spoke again.“All tied?Now, ladies.Jim will go first and I will follow with the pistol.Be warned, I will use it if you cause any trouble.A ball in the leg will prevent any escape, and this house is now empty.No one will hear a shot.”
There was nothing to do except obey.They went down the stairs awkwardly, holding up their skirts with their bound hands.At one point Eleanor stumbled and the man called Jim turned and gave her an impersonal but welcome hand.
