He’d come to help? What was he thinking? She took his arm and pulled him to the far side of the statue, sacrificing her view of the door. “You shouldn’t have come. He might recognize you, especially if we’re together.”
Hugh’s lips rolled together. “Is this a wise plan?”
“I’ve thought through every contingency. I won’t follow him all the way tonight, only to the Underground to see which line he takes. Next week we’ll trace his route from London to the railway station in the country. Then from that station to the home. And this is the only time I’ll follow him. Louisa will take over again next week.”
“I’m afraid not. Louisa has decided not to help anymore.”
“What?” Aleida gripped her hands together. Tapped. “Why not?”
Hugh wrapped his hand around her arm and rubbed his thumb along her sleeve. “We’re concerned about you. I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you, how frustrating it must be. But Mr. Randolph isn’t a man to trifle with.”
Aleida’s arm squirmed beneath Hugh’s touch. “I’m not trifling with him. Once I find where Theo is staying, I’ll waituntil Mr. Randolph returns to London. Then I’ll appeal to his wife.”
Hugh glanced away and sighed. “What if Mr. Randolph warned her? What if she’s as intransigent as he is? If she’s attached to the boy, she might not listen to reason.”
Her chin firmed. She’d thought through that contingency as well. “Then I’ll wait for the right opportunity, and I’ll take Theo with me.”
Hugh gasped. “Take him? You—you can’t abduct him.”
How dare he try to control her, try to tell her what to do? She jerked her arm free. “Taking my own son isn’t abduction.”
“What do you think would happen?” He leaned closer, his eyes urgent, almost frantic. “Where would you hide? The police would find you. You have no papers for Theo, no photographs. How could you prove to the police that he’s your son? You—Aleida, you’d go to jail.”
Cold, hard stone pressed against her back, chilling her blood, stiffening her spine. “You have no right to tell me what to do.”
Hugh let out an annoyed grunt. “I’m not—I just—I don’t think you’re thinking straight.”
Everything within her turned to stone.
Just like Sebastiaan. Whenever she showed any emotion. Whenever she dared disagree with him. “You think I’m hysterical, yes?”
His face scrunched up. “Hyster—no. I don’t think that. But I think this ordeal has taken a toll on you. This deserves more thought. You may not be able to persuade the Randolphs, and you simply can’t abduct Theo. At some point, you may want to consider...”
He stopped. His expression shifted to pity.
Into the void of silence, Aleida’s heart tumbled. She’d trusted Hugh. Loved him. And now—he couldn’t. He couldn’t.
Hugh cleared his throat. “Sweetheart, Theo’s safe. He’s withpeople who care for him. At some point, you may want to consider letting him go.”
“Let himgo? He’s my son! Myson!”
“I know, but—”
“You don’t know.” She glared at him through the dark filter of the veil. “You don’t care about the welfare of a little boy. You’re just like Sebastiaan.”
“Aleida...” Hugh groaned and closed his eyes, then opened them with a weary expression. “You might not have a choice but to let him go. Everything depends on the memory of a four-year-old child.”
She snapped herself taller. “You think he’s forgotten me.”
“I didn’t say that.” His voice frayed around the edges. “Didn’t I tell you he’ll never forget your love?”
“But he’ll forget me. Who wouldn’t?”
“Sweet—”
“Don’t call me that.” Aleida edged along the base of the statue until she was free. “As far as I’m concerned, you can forget me too.”
“Pardon?” The word plummeted to the ground.
