Page 136 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
Lord Shaldon cleared his throat. “There is more, Graciela. The man who talked provided enough details that we were able to send a message in his name. We told Llewellyn they’d got the child safely away, but that she was troublesome and they’d secured her with a woman he knows.”
Her eyes searched the room as she took in what Father had said.
“We enclosed a lock of hair,” Father said, “contributed by one of the maids.”
“And a request for more money?” Lady Sirena asked.
“We hinted at it.”
“He’ll wonder if she’s dead,” Gracie said, her voice shaking. “But…it won’t matter to him, will it? As long as she’s missing, he knows I will come.”
“It will matter enough to make him nervous,” Charley said. “Perhaps reckless, Father.”
“Reckless enough to send a note,” Kincaid said matter-of-factly.
Father unfolded a paper. “Yes. This came for you tonight, Gracie. Time being of the essence, we took the liberty of reading it.”
Hands shaking, she took the wrinkled paper, and Charley read over her shoulder.
My Dear Grace,
Do not be alarmed at your child being taken. I have it on good report that Shaldon has threatened it. I am safeguarding it at the place I told you about on my visit. Bring all of your things, and of course your servants also, and I will get you to safety far from the reach of Shaldon’s influence.
L
“Good God.” Charley took the paper and read the note aloud, translating it into Spanish for Juan and Francisca.
Gracie began to pace again. “He wants me to go to the Talbot, but he’s not staying there. And there are men at every inn on the street. And he has his woman at the White Hart.”
“As you said, my love, they’re laying an ambush.”
“Do we have more men than he does?” Bakeley asked.
“He will have his ship’s crew,” Gracie said. “He will need no more than a few men to manage while the ship lies at anchor. The ones with him will not be afraid of a fight.”
Lord Bakeley cleared his throat. “May I point out that we have you, Graciela, and your child? We need not send anyone into danger tonight. We simply fail to show up, and send a coastal patrol after Llewellyn when he decides he’s waited long enough.”
“Bakeley is right,” Charley said.
She cast him a look filled with anger. “What is he truly after? Something important enough to try to steal Reina, to force me to appear. If we don’t risk an ambush, then what? We donothing?”
His heart twisted. He knew what she wanted—the truth, and revenge. Tonight was her chance to confront Llewellyn in person without the constraints of the British legal system. If they waited, if they sent the authorities, and the Captain was killed on arrest, she would never have that opportunity.
And somehow, he had to give her that.
“There might be a third way,” he said.
Father nodded, the crafty old spy, as if he was one step ahead, which he probably was.
“We’ll meet with him at a place and time of our choosing.”
“And how will we do that, Charley?” she asked. “Send a note and say, ‘Here I am, come and get me?’”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I had in mind, perhaps worded a bit less directly. We’ll need Juan and Francisca to play their parts. And we’ll need someone sly to deliver your message to the Talbot and get away without being snatched up.” He turned his gaze on the boy.
Thomas grinned.
“No,” Bink said. “I’ll go.”
“Llewellyn knows you,” Charley said.
“I’m sworn to Hackwell to protect this boy while he’s in my home.”
Bakeley laughed. “A risky oath, that.”
“Then go along with him, Bink,” Charley said, “but stay in the background and let him make the delivery.”
Father rapped the table. “Before we decide anything, let’s hear the rest of your plan, Charles.”
