Page 65 of A Secret Correspondence
“An evil presence I have invited here.”
His frown deepened. He opened his mouth to reply, but Ruth returned and he was forced to keep his thoughts to himself.
Marguerite took his hand to climb the step onto the curricle seat, then Ruth did the same. The bench was too narrow for the three of them. Samuel circled the horses and climbed up the other side, his entire leg pressing against Marguerite’s. She could not move away or she would push Ruth from the seat.
Instead, she endured another form of torment for the short ride into Harewood. The warmth permeating from Samuel was enough to fill her entire body and make her heart race. Repeating his status as an engaged man was not enough to keep her pulse from thrumming. It hardly mattered what she told herself, for she had fallen in love with this man through his letters months ago, and through his actions more recently.
She closed her eyes and willed herself not to fall apart on that very seat.
When Samuel pulled to a stop before the shop, Ruth did not wait for Samuel’s help to grip the sides and find her way down. Marguerite attempted the same, but when her shoe reached the step, Samuel had circled the horses and he was there, his hand reaching toward her, his eyes pinned to her face. She onlyhesitated briefly before putting her hand in his, and fire shot through her veins clear up into her heart.
The moment her feet hit the ground, she let go.
“Nothing?” Ruth was saying by the time Marguerite made it into the shop. “No one came by?”
“I think he must have learned from the last time,” Jacob said.
Samuel sighed, stepping into the shop and closing the door behind him. “I was afraid of this. I’ve ruined our best chance.”
“Do not speak that way. It is not helpful,” Ruth said. “What shall we do now?”
Everyone looked at each other, exchanging concerned glances. Marguerite stood back, considering her choices. At this point, they could all leave, return to their families and lives, and allow her to manage it on her own. No one else would be hurt and she would find a way to speak to this person, to tell them the truth of the diamonds. It was the only way.
Samuel shrugged. “We must sleep here, I suppose.”
“I agree,” Oliver said. “Or Marguerite may come to stay with one of us. Until the man is dealt with, it is not safe here.”
“I can think of no other way,” Jacob said, looking at Marguerite.
“It is unnecessary,” she said. Four pairs of eyes blinked back at her.
Ruth took her hand, gently squeezing her fingers. “We will not abandon you.”
Marguerite glanced between each face, unsure of how she had reached this place. Just months ago, she had felt isolated, alone in Harewood. She had people she could pass a friendly word with, yes, but not people she could run to if she was in need. Now she had friends putting their safety in jeopardy at her expense because…
“Why?” she asked, the word small.
“Because we care about you,” Samuel said, his voice filling the entire space.
Jacob shifted to his other leg. “You are our friend.”
It was so simple. Here she faced a blacksmith, an earl’s sister, and two genteel men. They did not see her rank or lack thereof. She had the impression that if she had told them of her father’s title, it would not raise her in their esteem. They appreciated her for who she was. Emotion clouded her throat.
She knew exactly what she needed to do. “Then I suppose there is something I need to share. I received another letter this week.”
“Marguerite!” Ruth chastised.
“You will understand my reticence in telling you sooner. Allow me to fetch it.” In the parlor, she retrieved the note from the trunk where she had tucked it away. When she returned to the front of the shop, she looked at each of them, her gaze lingering on Samuel for a moment longer. “Forgive me. I hoped to spare you all from this.”
Marguerite unfolded the paper and stood closer to the candle on the counter. Then she read the note. When she reached the final line, she swallowed. “If they are not there by Friday at four o’clock, the trunk will burn, and I will come for them myself.”
“Blackguard,” Oliver hissed.
“I would like to say a few more words, but there are ladies present,” Samuel muttered. “Waste of a man to threaten you in such a way.”
“Should we not take this to the Faversham estate?” Ruth asked, poking her finger at the letter. “Require them to let us search Mr. Leclair’s chamber. Surely Lord Faversham would allow it.”
“We have no proof. If he has hidden the trunk, we would have lost any small advantage we have,” Oliver said.
