“It is rather revolting, isn’t it?” she said.
“Yes, especially knowing the treasures were stolen at the sacrifice of their previous owners’ lives.” The clipped observation revealed his contempt over her father’s actions.
Her own guilt manifested into tears, and she fought desperately to keep them in check. She clenched her fist around the handkerchief in her hand and willed her shoulders back. “Anthony has vowed to return them to their rightful owners.”
“A very noble gesture, but it will be almost impossible since many of the families were killed.”
“I am sorry. I had no idea he had stolen these goods.” She bit her bottom lip and inhaled, the pulse pounding in her ears. The tears traced down her cheeks.
Langdon pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to her. She accepted it with a grateful nod. Ever the solicitous gentleman.
“You aren’t to blame for your father’s actions.” Genuine regret showed in his expression, along with an overt distrust that hurt more than a million words. “But you are to blame for your own.”
Her stomach sank and she licked her lips, nervousness churning her stomach.
The sound of footfalls and rustling fabric preceded Henderson’s arrival. His cheeks were flushed and excitement sparked his onyx eyes. “Idle has been found hiding out at Randell’s estate. I have him in custody.”
“Thank goodness.” She dug her toes into her shoes to keep herself upright. The thought of him on the loose had haunted her nightmares. “And Randell?”
The lightness dimmed from Henderson’s smile. “He is still free pending Stanton’s arrival.”
“When will that be?” The sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach intensified. Chances were he would get away with his illegal dealings simply because of his birth. Idle wasn’t as lucky.
“I would imagine any time now. As for Idle, he is under guard at the Inn. Since the local magistrate is involved in the plot, I thought it best not to leave him in the man’s custody.” Henderson crossed his arms over his broad chest and rocked back on his heels.
“That was a wise decision. Shall we go talk to him?” Farnsworth said with grim relish.
“Given my personal involvement in the situation and the fact that I want to beat the man to a bloody pulp, I don’t think it is wise for me to talk to him at this juncture. It would be better if you and Henderson handled the interrogation,” Langdon said, addressing her cousin. Bleakness rested around his mouth, along with resolve.
“A wise decision.” Farnsworth reached out and squeezed Elizabeth’s arm. Shame burned her cheeks and she found it hard to look at him. He had no idea about Zander or how she had used his father to legitimize her endeavor.
“Never fear cousin, he is locked up and can’t hurt you again,” he said.
“Thank you.” She forced a smile and nodded. Idle was the least of her worries. The threat he posed had been to the Zander Trading Company. Despite his bravado in the cave, he was not a killer, else she and Langdon would be dead.
“I will leave you to it,” Farnsworth said, glancing from Elizabeth to Langdon, a gleam of speculation in his eyes. He said nothing further however, and motioning to Henderson to follow, left the room.
The silence left by his departure stretched between her and Langdon. Each beat of her heart amplified in her ears as the seconds ticked by. Langdon knew the truth, and once he found out all the details, he could very well cut his association with her. She was still a criminal, regardless of the circumstances of the fraud she had perpetrated. “I know you are upset but?”
“?I am more than upset. You held back vital information and, in the process, almost got both of us killed.” The frostiness in Langdon’s voice matched the rigidness of his frame. “You owe me the truth, Mrs. Adare. No more lies.”
The use of her formal name was like a slap in the face. Her chest tightened and the breath was squeezed from her lungs. The time for reckoning had come and she would have to face the harsh truth.
She’d lost everything. Once it became common knowledge that a woman was the founder of the Zander Trading Company, it would be dissolved, and she would lose all the assets she’d earned.
Her father had died, and no matter how much she despised him at times, he was still her father. Tears raced down her cheeks and she wiped them away. She would mourn his passing, but more than anything, she was in danger of losing what she coveted most; Langdon.
