Bertram emerged through the door. “Sit.” He shoved Thea toward the cracked leather sofa.
Shivering, Julia sat beside her, and Thea leaned against her for reassurance and warmth. The lodge was cold, and they hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
“Can we have water and some food?” Thea asked him.
He stared at Thea and then rose to leave the room again. When he came back, he carried two dirty crystal glasses of water.
Thea held the glass he gave her awkwardly in both hands. Such fine glassware seemed incongruous in this place. But this had been an elegant hunting lodge at one time. She glanced around as she drank the water. Oil paintings still dressed the walls. The lodge seemed to have been abandoned, which gave her an idea.
The water soothed her dry throat and made talking easier. Bertram sat moodily in a chair with his arms folded and his legs stretched out before him. He appeared to wrestle with a problem. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what it was. “Is this Lord Farnborough’s hunting lodge?”
He scowled at her. “Why?”
“It’s in such a state of disrepair,” she said conversationally, trying to ignore the searing pain in her wrists.
“So his lordship doesn’t hunt these days. What of it?”
“Perhaps he has to sell it. I’ve heard he is in dun territory,” she said, employing a phrase she’d heard her father use.
“You needn’t concern yourself about his future.” Bertram offered his cruel smile. “His lordship will come into a lot of money soon.”
“And you believe him?”
“Why shouldn’t I? He’s to inherit from his dead wife’s estate.”
“But his wife isn’t dead,” Thea said.
Julia stirred beside her. “My mother is alive.” She tossed her empty glass down onto the rug, where it rolled around, unbroken.
A moment’s silence followed.
“Then where is your ma?” he sneered.
Julia gave a slow shake of her head. “You think I’d tell you?”
Bertram’s narrow brown eyes flickered. Was it fear or suspicion? Thea couldn’t tell, but it was clear Julia had rattled him. Thea nodded approvingly at her, amazed that one so young could be so smart and courageous. Thankfully, Bertram didn’t react with violence. Instead, it made him thoughtful.
“Naturally, Farnborough would spin you a yarn to get you to help him,” Thea continued smoothly. “But you should reflect on your situation. If you hurt us, the Earl of Highworth is a wealthy and powerful man. He will leave no stone unturned to make sure you meet with justice. And he will have the help of his good friends at the Home Office.”
He stirred in his seat as if something hurt him. “The Home Office?”
Thea nodded. She did not mention Ash. This scoundrel must not know Ash was on his tail. And if not now, he would be soon, she was sure. But would it be in time?
“You talk a lot of codswallop. If you don’t stop, I’ll make you sorry.” Bertram curled his beefy fingers into a fist, but his voice lacked the force of his early threats.
“It is merely the truth,” Thea said. “You abducted us from the earl’s estate. I am soon to be his daughter-in-law. Did it not occur to you that the full force of the law will come down on your heads? And if you should harm us, you will surely swing from the gallows.”
“Farnborough said…” Bertram jumped to his feet and raked his hands through his light brown hair. He pointed a finger at them. “Don’t move from there, or I swear you won’t live to take another breath.”
He strode outside where he stood arguing with the coachman.
Thea hurried to the window. She opened it a crack, praying it wouldn’t creak. It made a slight sound, but the men, their voices raised, failed to notice.
Bertram kicked the dirt with his boot. “What if his lordship doesn’t inherit this money? He won’t be able to pay us.” He lowered his voice, but Thea could still hear him. “And if we do carry out his wishes, who’s to say he’ll keep his word?”
“He’s a lying codger, to be sure,” Fred said sourly. “He’s just as likely to leave us to take the rap.”
“The girl just said…”
