Page 92 of To Woo a Wicked Widow

Nash turned sober. “Have you found out who the informer is?”

“Not yet.” Kelliam nodded, and the two Runners holding the thief on the floor pulled him to his feet. “But I’m certain now that I have the cooperation of all these men, I’ll know directly. In fact, let us see who we’ll be talking to by and by.” He reached over and jerked the mask from the man’s face.

“Daniel Micklefield!” Nash’s face grew dark. “Your uncle won’t be able to hold his head up for shame at your treachery.”

Charlotte shook her head in sympathy. Poor Mr. Micklefield. There’d be no living this down for him. The scandal might very well ruin his business.

Nash nodded, and the other deputies pulled the masks from the rest of the gang members’ faces. “William Bell, Andrew Sharpe, Charles Robinson.” His stare became icy. “These are local men. The others I don’t know.”

“Possibly from London, my lord. We’ve found many of the soldiers discharged after the war have not been able to find employment and have therefore turned to crime.” Kelliam peered into their faces, then turned back to Nash. “We’ll take them down to The Bull. Mr. Micklefield gave us permission to hold the blackguards there if we caught them.” He cut his eyes toward Daniel. “He’s likely to be a mite riled when he finds out one’s his nephew.”

Nash nodded. “See what you can get out of them. I’m taking Lady Cavendish back to Lyttlefield Park. Keep me informed.”

Kelliam nodded, and the whole troop headed out the door.

Charlotte turned to Nash, who blithely placed a finger over her lips. “Shhhh. I’ll explain everything in the carriage.”

Charlotte gave him one searing look. “My wrap, please.”

Once in the carriage, Nash took her hand. She came close to snatching it away, but something deep down stayed her. She’d hear what he had to say for himself.

“I am so sorry to have withheld that little bit from you, Charlotte.”

“Little bit!” She pulled at her hand, but he held it fast. “Robbers and Runners leaping out at me. I’m surprised I didn’t swoon.”

“You are made of sterner stuff, as you have proved all summer. I trusted that you would be sensible—”

“And run up the stairs like a ninny and leave you to fight them alone?” He was going from bad to worse.

“Be sensible and stay put.” He kissed her hand. “I had to make them believe you were no threat, but I assumed you would refuse to yield your ground. You gave Kelliam a fright, I’m certain. He didn’t expect us to be in the house.”

“Joining of properties indeed.”

“How else would you have me put it?” He grinned at her. “I do beg your pardon, though. I thought we’d enough time to leave before the robbers arrived. They came a bit earlier than expected.”

“But why did you expect them at Wrotham? I thought you’d set a watch all over the estates and couldn’t find them. And then Mr. Kelliam said—”

“That was part of the plan. We spoke in London about how the gang always seemed to know about my movements here at Wrotham. Kelliam suggested that one of my servants might be an informer for the gang, someone who knew my movements and a great deal of yours as well. There might even be someone passing information about you in your own household.” Nash’s face hardened and his grip increased.

“Ouch.”

“Sorry, my dear.” He loosened his grasp and kissed the injured hand. “I believe if we find out who he is, I’ll be hard pressed not to throttle him.

“Or her. It could be a woman. Many will do anything for her man.” She squeezed his hand. “I know I would.”

“So I saw. You acted foolishly, Charlotte, to . . .” He stopped when she put her finger to his lips.

“Let us not waste this night with talk of how foolish we each can be.” She smiled and removed her finger. “Else I will have to remark on how terribly foolish you were to try to disarm that robber.”

“You do remember I have been in combat—”

She grabbed his face and pressed her lips to his. One way to stop his foolish gabble. A good way, in fact.

They arrived at Lyttlefield Park as the lights were being lit. Charlotte swept into the hall on Nash’s arm, eager to find her friends and tell all her news. Lord, what an eventful day!

A babble of excited voices led them toward the drawing room.

“Everyone must have gathered there before heading back for supper and the crowning.” She hurried her steps as he led her into the room, crowded with more people, it seemed, than she had ever seen there. She scanned the room, searching the faces. Where was Jane? Everyone seemed clustered around the fireplace. Had it gotten colder? Then, above the din of the room, one voice rose to a crescendo.