Before she could respond, Doctor Florian approached. “My apologies for intruding, but there is something I must tell you.”
His grave expression threatened the happiness still bubbling up inside Amelia. She glanced at Thomas who looked just as apprehensive as she felt. “What is it?” he asked.
Florian eyed them both, then lowered his voice. “Can we speak privately?”
Nodding, Thomas led the way toward the headmaster’s office. Once there, he closed the door and waited for Florian to speak. Amelia felt her stomach tighten with nervous anticipation. She couldn’t imagine what this might be about, but the tension in the room was definitely unwelcome.
“It is about Bartholomew,” Florian began.
Amelia shared a look with Thomas before he said, “Last I heard, he was charged with tax evasion, smuggling and counterfeiting.” Once the accountants had begun their investigation into Bartholomew’s financial affairs, they’d opened up a path that had led to other criminal activities. “The magistrate told me personally that he is to be hanged.”
Florian nodded. “Someone accused of those crimes certainly will be.”
Amelia frowned with incomprehension. “What are you saying?”
“Simply that the man being held at Newgate—the man everyone believes to be Bartholomew—is not.”
“What?” Thomas glanced at Amelia with concern before facing the doctor once more.
“I attended the trial,” Florian said. “The man accused of Bartholomew’s crimes bears some resemblance to him, but I can assure you that the wrong man has been apprehended.”
“Did this individual claim to be someone else?” Amelia asked.
“No. When I brought the matter to the magistrate’s attention, I was told that this man insists he is Bartholomew. He is going along with the ploy, and I was told that I had to be mistaken.”
“Could you be?” Thomas asked.
“No. Bartholomew will go free, and another man will hang in his place.”
“That makes no sense,” Thomas muttered. “Why would someone give up his life like that?”
Florian shrugged. “Perhaps the real Bartholomew offered him something—an assurance that the man’s family might be well cared for in return. It is possible that this impostor is already suffering some ailment and has nothing to lose. I can only theorize.”
Thomas stared at Florian. “You’re doing more than that.” He took a step forward. “How is it that you know so much about Bartholomew that you are aware of his finances and his exact appearance? What interest did you have in attending that trial?”
Florian didn’t flinch, nor did his expression change. “All I will say is that I have my own reasons for wanting to see him swing. I hoped I would finally do so, but the bastard outsmarted everyone once again by getting some poor sod to take his place.” He glanced toward Amelia and apologized for his language.
“No need,” she said, waving away his words.
Thomas sighed. “I don’t suppose there’s a chance of us catching him then.”
“He has left London,” Florian confirmed. “I have already checked.”
“So he’s in the wind and still as guilty as ever. That’s just bloody perfect.”
Amelia had to agree. Having Bartholomew on the loose was not the ideal conclusion she’d hoped for. “Do you think he might return and threaten us again?”
“I doubt it,” Florian said. “As far as the authorities are concerned, he is going to die soon. It would be foolish of him to let anyone know the wrong man was apprehended, so if you ask me, he’ll be starting a new business elsewhere, far away from here.”
“I suppose there is a little bit of comfort in that,” Thomas said, “though it is hardly enough.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Florian said. He turned toward Amelia. “I am sorry to bring you such depressing news, but I thought you ought to know.”
“Your forthrightness is greatly appreciated,” she told him.
Returning to the party, Thomas drew Amelia aside. “I do not like this development one bit,” he told her.
“Neither do I, but I also refuse to let it ruin our lives when we have so much to be grateful for.” She made an effort to smile. “Speaking of which, we should probably leave soon. Given the beautiful weather, I thought it might be nice to take Jeremy out to the park.”
