“Did you tell anyone about them?”
She sniffed again. “Just Mr.Timmons. We spoke about them last night. Honestly, if I had any idea of their significance, I never would have said a word.”
Anthony could feel Charlotte’s eyes on him—and her frustration. He dare not meet her gaze. He focused on MissSutcliffe. “How did it come up in conversation?”
MissSutcliffe gripped her finger in her lap, and her knuckles turned white. “Mr.Timmons asked me when I’d be returning to Leeds to sell more jewels. He said he enjoyed our errand to Leeds and wondered whether we could repeat our journey. One topic in the conversation led to the other, and he asked why I was selling them. He told me he knew of a jeweler in London he could introduce me to and inquired after what sort of jewelry Mrs.Prior would like to part with. It seems so odd to say it aloud now, but it really did just come up naturally during conversation.”
Anthony was not surprised. Timmons knew how to get information out of a criminal, let alone an unsuspecting lady’s maid. He flicked his gaze to Charlotte to gauge her reaction. Color replacedthe pallor on her cheeks, and her teeth were clamped tight over her lower lip. She said nothing but jumped from the settee and whirled to the window.
MissSutcliffe followed Charlotte’s retreating form. “I am sorry, Mrs.Prior. I knew better than to discuss your personal matters with anyone. I don’t want Jonathan to get in trouble. He’s a good man. I really believe that. He would never—”
Charlotte spun around. “He was using you, Sutcliffe. Do you not see that? We’ve all been made to look the fools, and now Henry is the one who will suffer.”
MissSutcliffe burst into fresh tears, and fearing the emotions could get out of hand, Anthony interrupted her. “Did he tell you anything else? Any clues to his future plans? Anything of the sort?”
She inhaled sharply and shook her head. “He only said that as soon as he was done with this assignment, we would leave and begin a life together. But you are right, Mrs.Prior. He was using me. I see that now.”
Anthony softened his tone toward MissSutcliffe. “If it is true that Mr.Timmons lied to get information from you, then it is he who is to blame. Not you. You may go now.”
Neither Anthony nor Charlotte moved until the kitchen door latched shut behind MissSutcliffe. Charlotte let her breath out in a huff. “Unbelievable.”
“Let’s not place blame on the wrong person.” Anthony joined her at the window. “Timmons knows how to solicit information.”
She folded her arms over her waist and stared into the morning stillness. “I thought you said Mr.Timmons was trustworthy.”
He couldn’t miss the accusation in Charlotte’s words. “I didsay that. And I meant it. I’m as taken aback by this turn of events as Miss Sutcliffe.”
Nothing about what had transpired made sense. Anthony had learned about the King’s Prize only the day before, and yet Timmons had been playing a part with MissSutcliffe almost since their arrival. Perhaps his initial interest in the maid had been sincere. Or perhaps he had started this scheme much earlier. But why? And how did he know about the emeralds when Anthony had never heard of them?
Charlotte tightened the shawl around her shoulders. “We must go to the cottage by Thoms Tor. I see no reason to delay, do you? I have the jewels, and now, because of Timmons, anyone may know that we have them. We will just go—”
Alarm assailed him. “We cannot just go there, Charlotte, King’s Prize in hand. ’Tis far too dangerous. We must inform Mr.Walstead. He’ll provide the reinforcements and the legal permission for such a mission. There’s no telling how many others are involved in this. It is far too dangerous at this point.”
She scoffed. “What does my safety mean to me? I amnothingwithout Henry.”
She was speaking from her pain, but he also knew he was challenging her stubborn streak. He’d not be the first to look away. “Charlotte, I—”
“Besides, how could I possibly trust Mr.Walstead or his watchmen now? When one woos my maid, kidnaps my son, and beats his partner? And you? Can you even be trusted?” she hurled as the pitch of her tone rose. “I’m going to the magistrate. I will find him first, and he can accompany me...”
He reached out to touch her, and she reeled back. “Do not touch me.”
He pulled back, lifted his hands as if declaring innocence, and kept his voice low. “I’m on your side. Yes, we should go to the local magistrate. But I should also send word to Walstead immediately. He will have men out here in a few hours. This operation will have the numbers and manpower to—”
“Absolutely not. The letter says to come alone, and I refuse to take any chances.”
“But, Charlotte, consider this: If Timmons or Broadstreet wrote that letter, or even if they were complicit in any capacity, they’ll be prepared for a team of watchmen to come to the rescue. If you go alone, it could put you in even more danger. We must think with our heads, not our hearts.”
“My heart?” She winced as if he’d struck her. “You don’t know my heart. What do you know of who I am or who I have become? I’ve told you before, I’m not the same person you remember. Do not speak as if you know me or as if you understand me.”
If the words were spoken in any other context, they might have stung. But she was scared and going on the offensive. He recognized the wildness in her eyes—she was frightened, with nothing to lose. How could he protect her if she was unwilling to protect herself? If she was willing to be impulsive and impatient?
“Charlotte, I’m fighting with you for Henry. I want him back here too. I swear to you I will get Henry back in your arms.”
Chapter37
After leaving Anthony in the kitchen, Charlotte hurried up the parlor stairs to her chamber.
How could he not see what needed to be done? Why was he being so passive?
