Collin noted the various maps, a few articles, and a maritime book all spaced out across the surface. “Are you planning a journey?” he asked, confused.
Elizabeth frowned at him. “I rather thought you were quicker than that, Lord Penderdale.” She stared at him challengingly. “Try again.”
He returned the challenging expression and studied the table once more. “You’re researching the smugglers,” he said with a hint of awe.
“I knew you’d figure it out. We’ll have to work on your speed.” She grinned.
Collin narrowed his eyes. “Beautiful and annoyingly brilliant, what a combination.”
“I do try,” she answered cheekily. “If you’ll consider this…” She pointed to an article. “This is from theTimes, a few months ago. My father keeps the newspapers. I’ve always wished he wouldn’t, dreadful habit I thought, but it was helpful in this situation. I remembered reading several articles about the price of tea and some aspects of the tax Parliament was revisiting.” She continued, “Here it names a few locations that the Hawkhurst Gang used in the 1740s, and I thought that, though that was quite some time ago, one of the places might be used again as a landing point. Then…” She pointed to another paper. “Here in theTimesthey talk about how the agricultural business is suffering because of those involved with the smuggling process. Too many people are working for the smugglers and not in farming—”
“The smugglers likely pay better.”
“Perhaps but there are more than a few articles on families suffering because someone tried to exit the crime ring.” She shook her head. “But I digress. So, I made a quick map of the locations, all in proximity to Cambridge, London, and several of the larger cities in England. You’ll see that the transport is quite simple. Combine that with the light weight of the tea, and the smugglers would have little difficulty getting their product anywhere with a road,” she finished.
“Well done. Clearly you’ve spent some time on this,” Collin replied, appreciation and wonder entering his tone. Never would he have imagined she’d devote such effort to this; it was humbling.
Usually one to take responsibility for himself and his sister, he found it an odd sensation to have someone display care for him. And he liked it, liked it very much.
“So, if we add in the fact they are using names of the nobility to navigate… I came to two conclusions.” She met his eyes, and Collin waited, watched, and tried to focus on her words, not the way her mouth formed them.
“Collin?” she said softly, then glanced to the side, as if searching for her father’s presence. “Lord Penderdale?” she corrected.
“Yes?” he replied, shaking himself mentally. “Forgive me, I was just very impressed and somewhat distracted.” His eyes darted to her lips and then back to her eyes.
A warm blush bloomed on her cheeks as her lips dimpled into a smile. “Thank you, but I think you’ll be more impressed in a moment.” She gave a crafty smile and pointed to another article.
“So, you said they were using names of the nobility, right?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered, then continued, “Actually, I can’t remember if I told you this part, but when I received my sound thrashing—” He held up hishand. “No comment,” he warned with a wry grin. “I was able to pickpocket a list, and my name was among several others, all peers of the realm and probably not involved in a smuggling ring. They likely are unaware, but my connection with the War Office made me aware.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sharpened with understanding. “That makes sense, and no, you didn’t tell me. Or maybe I forgot… It was an eventful evening.” She frowned. “But wait.” She paused. “How many names?”
“Pardon?”
“How many names were on the list, do you remember?” she asked, her eyes bright with intensity.
Collin blinked, then mentally counted, paused, and counted again. “I believe ten.”
She nodded. “During the Protectorate of Cromwell, there was a division of the land into ten regions. We don’t use it today, so it wouldn’t be readily noticeable…however…”
“Give every region a name, you have a territory for the smuggling ring, with a name that isn’t connected, but in a location that is specific.”
“Exactly.”
“And the region including Cambridge is named Penderdale,” he answered.
“Precisely!” She clapped. “Brilliant, when you think about it. Clearly these are not uneducated criminals.” She sighed contentedly, as if the wholesituation made her happy. “Brilliant plan, and I must say it was like a magnificent puzzle to unlock.”
Collin resisted the urge to shake his head in bemused frustration. Of course she’d see the situation as fascinating. “Intriguing as it is, it only leads to more questions. After all, originally my name was being used in London, and that would be a different region than Cambridge.”
“Indeed, it is.” She twisted her lips. “Unless…”
Collin frowned, then snapped his fingers. “Unless the smuggling ring moved to new territory and kept the name.”
“Maybe overtook it from a rival band of criminals?”
“Perhaps, but I’d likely think they are, unfortunately, working all together, more or less.”
