Page 93 of My Kind of Scoundel
“Half an hour won’t matter,” Aaron countered, his determination to hurt Berridge evident. “We must catch Wrotham in the act. If Franklin returns before making the exchange, it will ruin everything.”
Theo had promised Eleanor they would rescue Anna Franklin, and he would not break his vow. “We’ll have Gibbs bring Miss Franklin here. It will take two minutes to enter the shop and carry her to safety.”
“I’d never live with myself if I left her,” Eleanor said.
Aaron sighed. He was unused to negotiating with a woman. “Then you’d better pray Franklin doesn’t return and catch you in the act.”
Silent minutes passed before Theo spotted a figure in black emerging from the silversmith shop carrying a heavy valise. “Franklin is on the move. He’s heading south towards the river.”
“You’re certain it’s him?” Aaron said.
“As certain as I can be on a foggy night.”
The tension in the air intensified.
“Let me knock on Mr Franklin’s door,” Eleanorsuggested. “If we’re wrong and he’s at home, I shall say I couldn’t sleep because I was worried about Anna.”
“Like hell you will.” Just thinking about her alone in the house with Franklin brought bile to Theo’s throat. “He’ll think you have romantic intentions.”
Aaron acted as peacekeeper. “As it’s almost midnight, I suspect it is Franklin. Let’s hope the Lord is on our side tonight.”
Wearing dark outdoor apparel, and with Gibbs in tow, they crossed the street to the silversmith shop. The fog was thickening, falling over the street like a shroud. With the meeting place being close to the river, Daventry would struggle to spot the villains.
Eleanor knocked on the silversmith’s door but received no reply. There wasn’t a light in any window, though the curtains upstairs were drawn.
“Step aside.” Aaron shooed them out of the way. “If we’re wrong about Franklin, let him blame me for breaking into the premises.” He didn’t barge the door with his shoulder but removed a ring of metal implements from his pocket and fiddled with the mortice lock. “A crook named One-eyed Eric taught me this trick.”
One click and Aaron opened the door.
Franklin had tidied the silver items from the floor and returned them to the cabinet. He’d even had the glass doors repaired. Had he staged the scene after losing his temper with his sister?
They found Miss Franklin asleep in bed, her head bandaged, her face deathly pale. Eleanor sat on the bed and checked Anna’s pulse before exhaling with relief.
“She’s alive, thank heavens.”
“We must hurry,” Aaron snapped. “Can you rouse her?”
Eleanor clasped Anna’s hand and patted it gently. “Anna? Can you hear me? We’re here to save you.” When she received no response, she tapped the woman’s face. “She’s definitely breathing.”
“We cannot wait.” Aaron was at the door. “I’ll head to the river and warn Daventry. It’s imperative we find them with the plates in their possession.”
Theo offered Eleanor a reassuring smile. “Another minute, then we must go. Try to rouse her again.” He glanced at Aaron. “Go. We will meet you at the bridge.”
Torn between leaving them and burying Wrotham, Aaron lingered in the doorway. He considered his dilemma before marching back to the bed.
Aaron pinched the end of Miss Franklin’s nose and waited for her to breathe through her mouth. “Miss Franklin!” He shook her shoulders.
The poor woman’s eyes shot open. She must have thought she’d died and gone to hell. “What? Help!” she cried weakly.
Aaron stepped back to let Eleanor speak. “Anna. It’s me, Eleanor Darrow. We’ve come to help you. We were told you were hurt in a robbery at the shop. Is it true?”
Miss Franklin’s eyes grew wide, then fearful. “Miss D-Darrow. You must leave before … before Geoffrey finds you here. He’s in a t-terrible mood.”
“We must go,” Aaron barked. “Gibbs, carry Miss Franklin to safety. We’ll discuss the whys and wherefores once we’ve found Franklin and Wrotham at the bridge.” Aaron glared at Theo and jerked his head towards the door. “Need I remind you why we’re here? Our pathetic cousin must suffer.”
“W-wait,” Miss Franklin whispered, her voice barelyaudible due to her weakened state. “In the study … there are dyes and metal plates.”
Theo instructed Gibbs to gather any evidence of forgery and then take Miss Franklin to Eleanor’s shop. “Don’t open the door until we return. Let’s pray we’re not too late.”
