‘Oh no, Miss,’ Sarah whispered. ‘If that maid recognises you, then you could be sent to the gallows. It was his cousin, after all.’
Charlotte looked up sharply. ‘But his cousin was the one trying to kill him.’
‘But that rests only upon your word. Why would he believe it? He might think you killed his cousin because of a lovers’ quarrel,’ Sarah reasoned.
Charlotte recalled the conversation at the card table when Mr Stanley had lied about bumping into an ‘old flame’. Perhaps Sarah was right, and the Ice Baron believed her to be a woman scorned.
Anne hesitated, then added, ‘I have something else to tell you. I managed to get hold of Lady Bamber’s guest list.’
Charlotte stared at her in astonishment. ‘How?’
‘I have my ways,’ Anne replied mysteriously. ‘I checked all the names beginning with Lord W... there were only two. One is about seventy, and the other only twenty. Neither matches your description. You said he rode off on his Arabian—it is possible he was not even invited to the ball; otherwise, he would have come in a carriage.’
Charlotte’s eyes widened in horror. ‘He was wearing Hessian boots instead of dancing pumps!’ she said, struck by sudden recollection. She gulped. ‘Perhaps you are right. So there is no evidence, other than my word, that he was there.’
‘It is only a matter of time until he finds you. Then what?’ Anne whispered, sinking down on the nearest sofa beside her.
Panic seized her. Charlotte shot to her feet to pace the room. ‘I am done for. They will send me to the gallows—and my mother will be pleased to attend.’
A heavy silence fell as the clock ticked in the corner. All three stared at one another.
Then Anne sprang into action. Her movements were brisk and decisive—the sort of energy that made soldiers of ordinary men. She flung open Charlotte’s wardrobe and began pulling out gowns.
‘Sarah, fetch a portmanteau,’ she commanded.
‘Anne—what are you doing? Even if I escape, he will find me. I have nowhere to go!’ Charlotte cried.
‘No, he won’t.’ Anne pulled a letter from her reticule, a determined gleam in her eye. ‘This is my appointment letter. You will go in my place. You will be Anne Lucas now.’
Startled, Charlotte recoiled from the letter. ‘Anne, I—I do not think I can do this.’
‘You have no choice. He is on his way here right now, Charlotte. You have to disappear.’
Anne pressed the letter into her hands.
Charlotte stared. She was not surprised. Anne had always been quick to spot patterns others missed—whether in a game or unraveling some perplexing riddle. If there was a way out of a trap, Anne would find it.
‘You will not need to do it forever. I am certain you may discover the true culprit and expose the Odd Fellows. At the very least, you must assist Wilberforce. They are plotting against him.’
‘What if I cannot?’ she whispered, her voice unsteady.
‘Then at least you will have secured a place of safety under an assumed name,’ Anne replied calmly. ‘And once your dowry is released, you will be free. You may even flee to Europe, if you must.’
Charlotte’s throat tightened. ‘What if Lord Stanley sees me there? You said it lies near his estate.’
Anne’s brows furrowed, then she shook her head. ‘I doubt he would recognise you. Otherwise, why would he be bringing the maid with him today? You wore a mask and he failed to recognise you at the ball afterwards. Besides, even your figure has altered since then. No, I think it highly unlikely. He will not abandon his investigation in London for several weeks, I should imagine.’
‘And the maid?’
‘What of her? She is in Lady Bamber’s employment. She will not accompany him to his estate. What safer refuge than to remain in plain sight—beneath his very nose? He would never suspect it.’
Charlotte felt her resolve strengthen. Anne was right. He would never suspect it. It was a bold plan, and she could not help but admire her friend’s cunning.
‘Anne... this appointment... it was your chance to escape your father. What will you do now?’
Anne smiled faintly. ‘I shall manage. Your need is greater than mine at present. You must think only of your safety.’
Charlotte clutched the appointment letter to her chest, tears pricking her eyes, and embraced her friend.
