“Christ,” James hissed. Samantha walked to the desk and laid the papers on it.
“This can’t be related to the kidnapping attempts,” Nicholas said. “It makes no sense to hand over these details while attempting to take Samantha. Plus, he had plenty of opportunity to do that in the Duck and Goose, as she was there alone.”
“Agreed,” Max said. “Are we dealing with two different people?”
That thought made Warwick feel ill. She would never be allowed to leave the house again as far as he was concerned. These walls would be all she saw until they found whoever was responsible.
“Clearly, whoever attempted to kidnap her knew she was returning from Ireland and saw that as a time to strike. They then followed Warwick and Samantha to London and have been watching her, waiting for a second attempt to take her,” Dev added.
They had at least a hundred staff between their combined households. Had one of them been bribed to offer information about Samantha?
“I thought what I did was right. I thought if I dealt with the threat, it would prevent anything getting out and protect the children who will step into society. Our reputation will be blackened if it does,” Samantha said. “If I had paid him enough money, then perhaps he would walk away. But today and the second attempted kidnapping made me realize I needed to tell you about the letter.”
“It was honorable of you to try to protect us, sweetheart,” James said. “But if there is truth in the words that Father was a traitor, then no one here would be surprised. It would cause a scandal if it got out, but I doubt anyone in this room would care.”
Max snorted. “Please. We are odd already. Look at us. A group of lofty noblemen, merchants, and scholars. We are considered scandalous by most of society.”
“And let us not forget the pirate among us,” Gus added.
“So, what are we to do about this?” Eden asked.
“How did the writer of that note know she was coming home soon?” Warwick spoke. “Why not send that letter six months ago?”
“He said he had just come across this information,” Samantha said.
“It all sounds very smokey, and in both situations I fear someone has been feeding them details about her,” Cam said.
“The only person who my father trusted was Breel, his man of affairs. He was at my father’s side constantly and party to all his evil deeds,” James said.
“But he is dead,” Max added. “So, we wait.” He was looking at Samantha. “And we watch you.”
“I am no fool and will not leave the house unescorted.”
“Again,” Warwick added. “And on that, we will need to go and meet with this man tomorrow night.”
“He will know when he does not see me. I must go,” Samantha said.
“You are not serious?” Warwick couldn’t believe his ears.
“No,” James, Max, and Rory added.
“Then go, and he will see it is not me, and flee, and all attempts to grab him will be lost.” She folded her arms and glared.
“I’m not allowing you to walk into such a place,” James said.
Warwick was happy to leave it to her brothers to make her see sense.
“Then what do you suggest?”
Silence.
“Or, I could attend the arranged meeting, with you all dotted around the inside of the Duck and Goose in disguise, ready to save me when I need it.”
“You’re not seriously considering that, are you?” Warwick looked at her brothers.
“I don’t want to,” Max said.
“But she will be safe with all of us in there, as long as we have eyes on her every minute,” Nicholas added. “It could be our only chance to get this man.”
