I had felt safe and comfortable…and it was entirely impermissible.
In order to maintain control over the courtship and my desired outcome, I would need to maintain control over my heart. And no matter how much it pained me to admit it, Mr. Campbell was intriguing. Not only that, but I was beginning to find him agreeable. The combination of those two things—with a dash of attraction—was what caused an unsuspecting lady to fall madly in love. Thankfully, I was not unsuspecting. I was very suspicious indeed. Now that I understood the great possibility of developing an attachment to Mr. Campbell, I would tread even more carefully.
With my arm linked through Kate’s, we walked toward the Abbey. I continued to sip my mineral water as I observed the grand architecture surrounding us. A sense of calm rushed over my shoulders, and my stomach began to settle. Perhaps the water did have healing abilities. But then a voice, deep and quiet, came from my left.
“Mrs. Ollerton, how do you do?”
I didn’t recognize the face of the man beside me at first, but I felt Kate stiffen at my side.
“Mr. Russell, good morning.” Kate exchanged a polite bow with the man and I quickly followed suit. My heart climbed to my throat. I had only heard of Freddy’s creditor, but I had never seen his face. Mr. Russell was tall with one deep wrinkle between his eyebrows. His hair, light brown mixed with gray,curled forward along the edges of his face. He doffed his hat, and though his expression was polite, it unsettled my stomach all over again.
Kate was silent for a moment, but the pressure to maintain her manners seemed to prevail. “Might I make known to you my dear friend, Miss Arabella Sharp.”
I noted a shift in Mr. Russell’s eyes at the sound of my name. “Sharp? Are you a relative of Mr. Frederick Sharp?”
I felt my pulse quicken in my neck, but nodded with as much calmness as I could muster. “Frederick is my brother.”
Mr. Russell’s head inclined slightly, his brows lifting. “Is that so? I could not have hoped for a more timely encounter. I have been trying to contact your brother for some days now with no reply.”
A chill settled low in my chest. “Ah.” I managed a small laugh. “Frederick is quite busy. I hardly know where to find him myself most days. He mentioned something about leaving town yesterday. I’m not certain when he will return.” The lie came out too quickly.
Mr. Russell’s gaze lingered on my face. “That is disappointing.”
I gave him an oblivious look. “Why is that?”
He looked down at the ground with a faint chuckle. “I would not wish to burden you with the details of his business with me. But I find myself at present engaged in a matter of some inconvenience concerning your brother. I should like to resolve the matter swiftly.”
My arm tightened around Kate’s. I frowned in confusion. “Oh. I was not aware he was of such consequence to you.”
“On the contrary.” Mr. Russell adjusted his hat. “He has made himself very much so.”
I maintained my look of concern, but fear crept through my chest. Could Mr. Russell see that I was not as ignorant as Iappeared? Perhaps he was trying to discern what I knew about Freddy’s loan and the note he had forged from John. Dread dropped through my stomach. Had he somehow discovered the forgery? No—I stopped myself. If he had proof, then he would have already involved the law. That didn’t mean he didn’t have suspicions, though.
I put on a gentle smile. “My brother has a talent for attracting notice, I fear. Though I assure you, it is rarely of any lasting importance.”
“Of course, and I have no wish to distress you. Perhaps you might advise your brother, when next you are in communication with him, that I should be most eager to conclude our business.”
“I would be glad to do so.” I smiled warmly in the hopes of softening that line between his brows, but he continued to bear it as he turned away.
“Thank you. Good day, Miss Sharp.” His eyes lingered on my face as he lowered his head. “And Mrs. Ollerton.”
“Good day, sir.” My voice wavered slightly. I held my chin high as he walked away, but my stomach continued sinking. I didn’t dare take another sip of my water for fear of vomiting. Freddy could no longer leave his room if he was to avoid being confronted by Mr. Russell. I would have to warn him, but at the moment, all I could do was stare at Mr. Russell’s retreating form. How much did he know? How much time did we have?
My heart hammered rapidly. “Do you think he knows about the forgery?” I whispered.
Kate scowled in Mr. Russell’s direction. “Surely not. But he must be eager to receive his payment.”
“What if he does know?” Panic clutched my chest.
Kate took my hand gently, her green eyes flooding with concern. “It would be no small matter if he discovered that. You would be aware of it immediately. As would Frederick.” She paused, glancing from side to side. “I was speaking withMrs. Northbrook, whose husband is a barrister. The law against forgery, particularly when it comes to bank notes, is stricter than I previously imagined. I didn’t wish to apply additional pressure to your situation, but social ruin is the least of your concerns. So is exile or imprisonment.” She swallowed. “If Frederick is caught, he would likely face execution.”
My head spun. I hadn’t known that was possible. “I do not feel well,” I muttered, putting a hand to my forehead. I felt suddenly faint, my stomach in knots. My warm spencer jacket was not helping the situation.
Kate pulled me into the shaded alley between two buildings, her eyes darting behind us. “You cannot show it. Not now.”
“What?”
“Mr. Campbell is approaching.” Kate’s frantic gaze made me aware of the urgency of the situation. I didn’t have time to question how close he was before I heard his voice from behind me.
