Her mouth fell open at that passionate defense of her, said with certainty in his tone and fire in his eyes. She blinked andrested her head forward on his chest. “I won’t survive it if she dies because of her relationship to me.”
“We won’t let her,” Finn said. “Right now she’s leverage. I’m guessing he hasn’t harmed her if he thinks he can gain something from her.”
“He hasn’t harmed her because if he can makemesuffer, he will,” she whispered. “He’ll harm her in front of me just to hear me scream for her. For you. For my father.”
Finn shivered and then pulled her in for a hug. “Well, I won’t let that happen either,” he said.
“What if Diana and Willowby won’t make a move because going for him now could harm their larger case?”
He shrugged. “Then we’ll call on Ripley and Sebastian and we’ll go on our own. I don’t give a damn about what the government wants. I give a damn aboutyou.”
She wondered at that for a moment, the absolute devotion of this remarkable man. Then she drew in a deep breath and refocused on Jane. “Let’s see what they say and then we’ll decide our next step.” She took his hand. “Together.”
“Together,” he agreed.
Less than an hour later, Willowby was pacing the room, reading and re-reading the missive from Chilton as Diana quietly questioned Esme about her friend. Finn stood to the side, feeling utterly helpless.
He watched Esme for a moment. She was calm now, almost too calm. The only signals of her upset were the occasional flutter of her hands, the slight shifts in her position. Otherwise, she looked solid and serene. She had gifted him her collapse,something that broke his heart, but also gave him hope for the future they could have after they saved her friend.
They had to save her friend.
He crossed to Willowby. “We need to go after her,” he said, and folded his arms across his chest. “I don’t give a damn about your case.”
Willowby’s brow wrinkled. “I’ve no intention of leaving the young woman to the wolves, I assure you.” He looked back at Esme. “We’re going to rescue her, of course.”
Esme buckled a little and then stood. “Thank you, Your Grace. I’ve some thoughts on that score.”
“You do?” Finn asked.
She nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it since the arrival of the letter. I should go to the meeting at ten.”
Finn took a long step toward her. “No. Absolutely not.”
“I wasn’t asking,” she said gently even as she closed the remaining distance and took his hand. “I’m the reason Jane has been taken. I’m the only reason she’ll be released. We’ve no time for more complicated plans. This is the only way.”
Behind him, Willowby cleared his throat. “I fear the lady may be correct, Delacourt. I could put together a force, make plans to draw Chilton out, send in a rescue team for Jane…but not on less than two hours’ notice.” He looked at Esme. “You’d be in danger.”
“I know how to protect myself,” she said, and lifted her chin, the steel of her bravery on full display once again. How Finn loved her for it. “That was why I started fighting, you know. To protect myself. It isn’t for show, or at least not alone. I’m not afraid.”
“You are a remarkable woman,” Diana said, moving to stand beside her husband. “What do you think, Lucas? A four-square defense might be best, cover each direction. Who could we get on short notice?”
“I’m not sure,” he mused.
“Ripley would help if you need someone. I’m sure Jane made it so he doesn’t know that she slipped his protection,” Esme said. “He…he cares about Jane. Deeply.” She smiled at Finn. “You never had anything to worry about when it came to him, ever. And Finn could be the other.”
“No,” he said. “Because I’m going to be with you.”
All three of them pivoted toward him, but it was Esme who spoke. “No! Firstly, my cousin already demanded that I come alone or he’ll harm Jane. And secondly, I don’t want you in danger.”
He shook his head. “If Chilton knows that you’re here, he knows that I’m protecting you. He wants my help and if I offer it as part of a bargain, he’ll at least listen.”
Esme pursed her lips, but he could see she knew he was right. He faced the other two. “You can’t stop me. I won’t leave her to enter that man’s domain alone.”
“Of course you won’t,” Diana said with a gentle smile. “Lucas, this could save the case for the smuggling. If we can determine where in the house Chilton will hold his meeting with Esme and Delacourt, you could position yourself to hear what they say. Not only will you be closer to offer protection if things go wrong, but you could hear the man’s treason from his very lips.”
Willowby considered it a moment. “I’d want another person on site, then.”
“Ramsbury would come if I called for him,” Finn said.
