“Thence to begin again,” Baines finished.
Arch felt the weight of these tidings settle heavily upon his chest—not as shock, for such ambitions were not unheard of in these unsettled times, but as a grim confirmation of the scale of the task before them.
“Can this be true?Allof them?” Fielding asked at last.
“All,” Baines replied. “Every minister they can gather in one place, at a single stroke.”
“And Liverpool?”
Baines gave a short nod. “Particularly Liverpool.”
At the mention of Robert Jenkinson, Lord Liverpool, the gravity of the plan weighed further still upon Arch’s spirit. To strike at him was not merely an act of violence—it was an attempt to sever the very head of the Government.
“They aim not merely at disruption,” Fielding said quietly. “They aim at annihilation.”
“Precisely so,” Baines replied.
His mind already moving ahead of the conversation, Arch straightened. “When?”
Baines spread his hands slightly. “That is the question.”
“What is the answer?” Arch pressed.
“It is not yet certain, it seems,” Baines admitted, “but soon.”
Renforth regarded him. “Then you will also understand that we cannot afford to wait upon their timing?”
“No.”
“We must dictate it,” Renforth continued.
A silence followed, charged with anticipation.
“How will we do that?” Fielding asked presently.
Renforth allowed the question to linger a moment before answering.
“We are working,” he said at last, “on arranging a dinner.”
Baines gave a short, incredulous huff. “You mean to give a dinner?”
“Yes,” Renforth replied calmly, “a gathering sufficiently grand—and sufficiently public—to draw them out.”
“You mean to invite all of the Cabinet?”
“All of those who can be persuaded to attend,” Renforth said, “including Liverpool himself.”
The implications were immediate—and staggering.
“You intend to place them all in one room,” Stuart said slowly, “as bait?”
Renforth met his gaze without flinching. “Precisely.”
“Whilst trusting that we may control what follows?” Fielding added.
Renforth’s expression did not alter. “We do not trust, Fielding, we prepare.”
Stuart stepped forward slightly. “Will they fall prey to such a ruse?”
