Blayne nodded, moved toward the door, and paused. “Is there anything I can do?”
Ida pondered that for a moment, then asked, “You wouldn’t happen to know a good forger, would you?”
Blayne scratched the back of his head. “Can’t say I do. Not besides that cur who was caught up in your disappearance last year.”
Ida shuddered at the memory. “Mr. Reynolds made counterfeit artwork. What we need is someone who could have forged the king’s seal.”
“Haven’t heard of any such person myself, but you can try asking some of the men who frequent The Black Swan. I’m headed back there right now. If you like, I can make a few inquiries and round up some lads who might know more than me. Stop by in a couple of hours if you’re able, and you can question them yourselves.”
“We would appreciate that a great deal,” Ida said. “Thank you.”
Simon made a non-committal grunting sound.
Ignoring him, Ida waited until Blayne was gone before turning to face Simon’s scowl. “He’s a good man and a loyal friend. You could have been nicer.”
“I’ve little respect for anyone linked with Guthrie.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“I know enough.” Simon shoved his hands in his pockets. “Guthrie may be the Duke of Windham now, but let’s not forget the criminal he was before he laid claim to the title. He killed people, Ida.”
“Only those who didn’t deserve to live.”
“He had no right to play judge and executioner.”
“You’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” Ida snapped. “I was kidnapped and auctioned off alongside children as young as eight years old so men could lock us up in their basements and do despicable things to us. Don’t tell me they didn’t deserve to die or that you would have acted differently than he did when he came to find us.”
“Ida, I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have had to go through all that, and you’re probably right. I would have killed those men as well. But you have to admit that’s not all Guthrie’s done. I just…I’m not able to picture him in a good light.”
She knew it was hard to go against truths that had been ingrained. It was part of the reason why proving her father’s innocence would be an uphill battle. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course.” He moved toward her and cupped her cheek. “Without question.”
“Then believe me when I tell you that Guthrie is the most just man you’ll ever know. A formidable foe, but the best ally you could ever hope for.” Even though Simon offered no further dispute, she wasn’t so sure he believed her. “We have a few days until he gets back, which doesn’t give us much time to uncover the real traitor.”
Confusion marred Simon’s features. “If Guthrie’s as wonderful as you claim, why worry?”
“Because he’s not going to like this.”
Simon frowned. “What, exactly?”
“This.” She stepped back, moved away from his touch, and gestured between them. “You and me.”
Hard brackets appeared on either side of Simon’s mouth. “Ida, you’re your own woman, independent and strong. You don’t answer to anyone, least of all Carlton Guthrie or Valentine Sterling, the Duke of Windham, or whatever the hell you want to call him.”
“He has been like a guardian to me, offering help, support, and protection since I lost my father. I cannot dismiss that and neither should you.”
“Christ have mercy,” Simon muttered.
“So,” she said, eager to get past this difficult discussion as fast as possible, “we get back to work. And since The Black Swan is our best bet at the moment, I think we ought to have some breakfast and get ourselves ready so we can be there in a couple of hours like Mr. MacNeil suggested.”
Determined to move forward, Ida tried not to worry over where they intended to go. After all, the tavern was right next to Amourette’s, a place she’d been wary of heading back to in case it was being watched. But things had changed since the ball. She wasn’t safe anywhere anymore, and she wouldn’t be until she caught the real traitor.
“I need to check on my uncle first, not that I relish the visit.” Simon took a deep breath and expelled it. “There’s been no word from the hospital yet or from Huntley.”
“In that case, let’s hurry.” Ida grabbed his hand and led him toward the kitchen. “There’s much for us to accomplish and the day isn’t getting any longer.”
Chapter Fourteen
