One of the men nodded. “Four minutes?”
“Yes.”
“Do we delay the departures as well?”
“They remain immediate. There is no reason to linger.”
His voice was firm. His mind was elsewhere. He became aware, at some point, that Renforth was watching him.
“You are dividing your attention,” the Colonel said.
Arch did not look up. “I am attending to affairs.”
“You are attempting to attend to them.”
Arch lifted his gaze then. “With respect, sir, there is reason.”
“There is always reason,” Renforth replied. “The question is whether or not it alters the action.”
Arch held his gaze, then shook his head.
Renforth inclined his head slightly. “Fielding will send word when there is word to send.”
“Yes, sir.”
Arch returned his attention to the table.
Time moved on. The room grew warmer with bodies and conversation, yet the cold of uncertainty remained. By noon, his unease had formed into something less easily contained. There was no use in constructing possibilities without evidence, but his mind did it anyway.
At last, he stepped back from the table. “I will go to Sir Percival’s house,” he said. “If she has returned—” He did not finish the sentence.
Renforth considered him for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well. Do not linger.”
Arch inclined his head and turned towards the door. He had taken no more than a few steps into the passage when a servant appeared at speed.
“A message, sir.”
Arch stopped.
“For you,” the young man added.
Arch took it and knew at once it was not Francesca’s hand. He broke the seal.
FV takento cottage near Clapham by TK. Has maid with her. Does not appear to be held against her will, but left there for her safety. Could only hear her told to stay out of the way until he returned for her tomorrow—when England will be free again, he said.
Arch read it once,then again. The words did not change. He turned and went back into the room.
Renforth was bending over the table with several men, reviewing a diagram of the evening’s arrangements. Arch crossed to him and placed the note at his elbow.
Silence spread outward from the centre of the table as Renforth read.
“Fielding?” one of the men asked.
“From one of his contacts,” Renforth said. He read it again, more slowly. “Perhaps he thinks she might try to join in the events this evening?” he suggested.
“Or he thinks we would use her against him?” Arch asked.
