“Mr. Barnard became obsessed with exacting revenge on me,” Fredrick admitted. “He vowed he wouldn’t rest until he killed everyone that was important to me. Wellington gave me permission to return home and stop the threat on my family.”
Octavia’s face fell. “Are you going back to the war?”
“I have decided that I am needed at home more than on the Continent,” Fredrick admitted. “It took some time but I got the letters you sent about Mother’s health.”
Kendrick placed a hand on Fredrick’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you were forced to return home under such unpleasant circumstances.”
“I am just glad that Mr. Barnard hadn’t exacted his revenge yet,” Fredrick said.
“By Mr. Barnard teaming up with Mr. Wilson, he knew exactly what to say to deflect suspicion off himself,” Kendrick remarked. “To think that I fell for that man’s act.”
Caleb rubbed his red wrists as he asked, “How did you find us here?”
“I arrived at your townhouse right after you three departed for The Drunken Bear and Lord Oxley told us what had transpired,” Fredrick replied. “I knew you both were in danger since Mr. Barnard was with you.”
“That is when I rounded up all the available agents that I could and we hurried to the tavern,” Kendrick added.
“What is going to happen to my father?” Caleb asked.
Kendrick grew solemn. “He is going to withdraw from all the committees that he is on and take a lesser role in the House of Lords. If he does those things, I will see that he doesn’t face any criminal charges.”
“Thank you,” Caleb said.
The spymaster acknowledged Caleb’s words with a tip of his head. “I do believe it is time to get Lady Octavia and Miss Bolingbroke home. I have no doubt their families are extremely worried about them.”
Fredrick’s eyes scanned over the hall. “I have a few things I need to do before I return home.”
“Do you need any assistance?” Roswell asked.
“No, I need to do this on my own,” Fredrick said.
Roswell went to offer his arm to Anette but Caleb had gotten to her first. As he watched their retreating figures, Octavia leaned closer to him and whispered, “Don’t look too disappointed. You will still be able to sit in the coach with her.”
“I don’t know what you are referring to,” Roswell said, attempting to end this line of questioning.
Looping her arm through his, Octavia responded, “I do not think the rookeries are the right place to confess your love to Anette.”
Roswell should have known that his sister would have seen right through him. “Is it so obvious?”
“Only to me,” Octavia said.
Fredrick interjected, “And me.”
Kendrick put his hand up. “Me, as well, but in fairness, Miss Bolingbroke is a formidable young woman. I could see why you would be interested in a woman such as her.”
“I am not going to have this conversation with any of you,” Roswell said before he started leading his sister out of the tavern.
Once they were walking along the pavement, Octavia’s eyes roamed over the darkened structures and she expressed, “These poor people. I can’t believe they are living in places such as this.”
“It is all they can afford.”
“It doesn’t make it right,” Octavia stated.
They arrived at the coach and Roswell assisted his sister inside. Then he sat next to Octavia, closing the door behind him.
The coach slowly moved forward and they all stared at each other in awkward silence. He wasn’t quite sure what he could say to make the situation any better than it was.
Caleb cleared his throat. “I would imagine that you have questions for us.”
