Page 83 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
He was still uncertain if a marriage between them would be possible, but by rejecting his chance to help Charlotte now, was he accepting short-term glory at the expense of long-term happiness?
Glancing away from Miss Eddington…and embracing the consequences…he nodded. “I’ll be there.”
A smile cracked Flora’s stoic expression.“I’m happy to hear it. Now, what is your plan?”
“A plan? Right.” He narrowed his eyes as he contemplated. “I need to see Darington. After Charlotte shared her background with me, I asked his man Torres to investigate who her former in-laws could be. I suspected it was the Townsends, but was not certain. If I am to remove her from their influence, I need as much ammunition against them as possible.”
Flora patted his arm. “While you do that, we’ll see to her release.”
Finlay hated the idea of not rushing immediately to Charlotte’s aide. Anxiety clawed up his throat at the thought of her sitting in some dark, dank cell by herself. But if he was going to secure her freedom and keep his political aspirations intact, he needed to proceed with caution.
He frowned. “Perhaps it would be best if she didn’t know I was aware of her predicament.”
“Why?”
“She’s determined to distance herself from me out of a noble sense of protecting my future. If she knew I was working to see her released, she might not cooperate. It seems best to surprise her, along with Townsend.”
“That’s true. She is inordinately stubborn.” Flora’s dimples appeared. “But won’t she be surprised when you saunter into her little cell to rescue her?”
Finlay grinned. “I suspect she’ll be angry.”
“Oh, livid.” Flora laughed.
“But apparently, Charlotte needs to be saved from herself just as much as I need to be saved from myself,” Finlay said, his grin compressing into a line of determination.
With a nod, he set off to find his host and hostess and apologize for his sudden departure.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Finlay thundered up the front steps of Darington Terrace. He’d already sent a note to Torres’s rooms but couldn’t bear to wait for the Spaniard to appear. He needed to tell Alethea and Darington what had occurred, and if necessary, ask his brother-in-law to throw his ducal title around with as much force as possible.
He hadn’t had the chance to knock on the door before the butler opened it. As he stepped into the foyer, he glimpsed his sister bustling down the hall, her eyes glued to a piece of parchment in her hand.
“Lockley, can you please have this delivered to—” She stopped, her mouth falling open. “Oh, thank goodness you’re here. Come with me.”
Without another word, she pivoted and headed back down the hall. Finlay followed closely behind.
When they reached the study, she opened the door to reveal Torres speaking to the duke in front of the fireplace. Both men turned to him with expressions of surprise.
“My, that was quick,” Darington said with a nod of approval.
“He arrived before I could send the note,” Alethea explained. She turned an expectant look on Finlay. “Torres has news for you.”
“And I have news for you.” He exhaled. “Charlotte’s been imprisoned in Newgate for theft.”
His sister gasped. “What? Why?”
He briefly explained what occurred when he’d returned to Charlotte’s flat, including what he’d learned of the Townsends’ blackmail. Clenching his jaw, he withdrew the locket from inside his coat.
“It was foolish to have taken it from the safe, but I wanted you to see it, Allie. It’s one thing to read of their affair in the diary.” He swallowed. “It’s another to see proof of their affection.”
Alethea accepted it from him silently. She inspected the outside before lifting the latch and glimpsing the portrait and note within. Her face grew pale.
“How would Mrs. Taylor have even known the significance of the locket?” Darington asked.
Finlay brushed a hand across his mouth. “I had already told her the truth.”
The room grew silent as everyone pondered the import of his actions.
