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Maidstone,

Monteagle and I conducted a thorough search of the palace buildings and found no sign of subversive activity. I have reported as much to the king. The writer of Monteagle’s mysterious and anonymous letter undoubtedly wished to spread mischief rather than truth. The opening of Parliament is to go forth as previously scheduled.

Sincerely, Suffolk

“Nothing!” Martha cried. “How could they find nothing?”

Lord Maidstone met Isla’s eyes. “You remain fully convinced that a threat exists?” He raised the paper in his hand. “Even after this report?”

“Yes.” She leaned forward. “You must believe me. The noblemen did not find anything because Guy Fawkes has hidden the barrels of gunpowder amongst caskets of wine. If the king’s guards went back to the undercroft beneath the House of Lords, they would discover it.”

Simon’s grip on her shoulder tightened. “I will go.”

“No!” Isla reached for his hand. “It must be armed guards.”

“I am armed.” Simon patted the sword at his side.

“Without a key to the room or the presence of someone with the authority to enter, you will get nowhere,” Lord Maidstone said.

“Very well. I shall find someone who fits one of those criteria,” Simon said.

Isla pressed her palm to her forehead, willing her memory to return. What were the names of the men who had confronted Guy Fawkes?

“Try Knyvett,” Lord Maidstone said. “His townhome is not far from here, and as a magistrate, he wields sufficient power to reopen the cellar.”

“That’s it!” Isla cried. “Knyvett! It is such an unusual name that I could not remember it. Knyvett must go to the undercroft, accompanied by a guard.”

“And me,” Simon said firmly. “I shall ensure Fawkes is taken into custody once and for all.”

“I shall join you,” Lord Maidstone said.

Simon shook his head. “There is too much at stake. We cannot have the entire success of this endeavor contingent upon me successfully persuading Knyvett to act. If our timing is off or Isla has forgotten an important but minute detail, all could be lost. There must be an alternate plan. Go to Cecil. He will give you audience without an appointment. Have him send men to the undercroft. God willing, Knyvett, a guard of his choosing, and I shall meet them there.”

“Go with Hugh to Sir Cecil, Simon,” Martha said. “Sir Cecil can send for Sir Knyvett and a troop of armed men. It is far too dangerous for you to approach the undercroft without an armed-guard escort.”

Isla rose, grateful when Simon wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t go,” she begged. “Martha is right. There is still time for Sir Cecil to send word to Sir Knyvett.”

“I must,” he said. “We do not know where either gentleman is at present. If Cecil is with the king or has already retired for the night, it will take too long to alert the guards.”

Isla placed her hands on his chest, desperate for Simon to understand the impending peril. “Guy Fawkes is a cunning and dangerous man. For years, he has lived as a mercenary. He has nothing but contempt for English law and the men who govern this land. This conspiracy has been his sole focus for months, and he will stop at nothing to see it through.”

“I understand,” Simon said.

Tears pricked her eyes. The words were easy to say, but she doubted Simon had ever faced anyone so fixated on a goal that all respect for the lives of others had fled.

“Martha,” Simon said. “Turn away.”

“Turn away?”

“Now,” Simon warned. And then without waiting to see if she complied, he drew Isla closer and kissed her with a fervor that had her knees trembling and her heart aching. “I love you, Isla Crawford,” he whispered. “I shall not do anything foolhardy. You have my word.”

“I love you, too, Simon.” Isla spoke through her tears. “Please be safe.”

“We’d best be on our way, Bancroft.” Lord Maidstone’s voice came from the door. Perhaps he’d kissed his wife farewell while Simon had been kissing her. Isla didn’t know, and now was not the time to look at Martha. She had a horrible feeling that her friend’s face would reflect the fear and anxiety on her own.

Simon dropped one last soft kiss on Isla’s forehead. Then he released her and walked out of the room.

Chapter 20