He would not be silent again.
“Sweeney kidnapped Glory,” he said before he could change his mind. “He’s holding her ransom. He has given me two days to find the treasure and exchange it for her freedom.”
He gave a succinct summary of the events leading to the kidnapping, even as doubts hovered, circling. Was he making the right choice? Could he trust these people to help him?
“Thatdespicablebastard,” Tessa spat. “How dare he involve an innocent child—and an innocent ferret?”
Harry Kent’s jaw clenched. “When did this happen?”
Their genuine outrage eased some of Rhys’s apprehension. “Yesterday. We were in Limehouse looking for the final clue. When we returned, she was taken and a ransom note left with Sweeney’s signature.” He paused, then said quietly, “He’s figured out that she’s my daughter.”
Tessa looked at her husband. “See? I told you.”
“So you did, sprite.”
“You knew?” Rhys asked.
“She has your eyes and adores you, God knows why.” Tessa’s gaze was shrewd. “And you’re in love with her mother.”
Were his feelings that obvious? His neck heated, but he didn’t bother denying it. “Sweeney also instructed me not to tell anyone about this—or he’ll hurt my daughter.”
Both Harry and Ming swore.
“By ‘anyone,’ the bounder is clearly referring to me.” Slapping her palms on the desk, Tessa rose. “You did the right thing coming to me, Ransom. You needn’t worry: I know Sweeney, and he’s bluffing about harming your girl. Until he gets the treasure, she is his only leverage—which means she’s safe for the time being.”
Her words confirmed Rhys’s own theory. He nodded, the knots in his gut easing.
“But Sweeney hasn’t just committed an unforgivable crime by taking Glory,” she continued hotly, “he has insulted me as well. He has attacked those under my protection and called my authority into question. If he wants to poke the bear, he’d better be prepared for the consequences.”
“Now, love,” Kent said, “remember your condition.”
Rhys’s gaze shot automatically to Tessa’s midsection. Was she increasing…?
She glowered at her husband. “I thought we talked about not referencing my condition.”
“You talked about it. I was noncommittal.” Clearly not afraid of poking bears, Kent chucked her beneath the chin. “Count yourself lucky that I’m not shouting it from the rooftops.”
She rolled her eyes.
After a moment, Rhys offered his hand to Kent. “Congratulations.”
Chest puffed with pride, Kent shook it. “Thank you.”
“Now can we get on with the business of saving Glory?” Despite her brisk words, Tessa’s cheeks were pink. “Where is Maggie, by the by?”
Rhys explained the temporary insanity that had led him to seek out the Sharpes.
“What astupidplan,” Tessa said.
“Ever the diplomat, aren’t you?” her husband said dryly. “But you can’t blame the man for trying to do the right thing.”
“The plan was stupid, and I acted out of panic,” Rhys admitted. “Now I don’t want to go back to Maggie without the last clue, which is why I’m here. I was hoping Ming could be of help.”
He took out his uncle’s letter and put it on the desk.
Addressing Ming, who’d been watchful all this time, he said, “Sir, could the characters have another meaning other than Plum Forest? If they were reversed in order, for instance…like an English anagram?”
“Hard to believe, but not everything like English.” There was a hint of irony in Ming’s tone. “Plum Forest is not anagram.” As Rhys’s gut pitched, he added, “But Plum Forest not just name of restaurant, either. Also name of woman.”
