Page 61 of What's an Earl Gotta Do?
“Our first concern,” Michael snapped, “is your safety and disentangling you from this mess.”
Anne ignored him. “It would be tempting to move them to an undisclosed location, but we have to assume this building is under surveillance. We’d have to think of a way to sneak them out. Then comes the question of location. I would bring them to my house, but I fear that’s too obvious.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Anne! They can’t go to your house.”
Anne rounded on him, hands clenched into fists. “And where would you suggest they go?”
“You said Bow Street is involved. Turn them over to Bow Street. They’ll know what to do with them.”
“Bow Street? What will Bow Street do with two young boys?”
“They’ll find an appropriate situation for them.”
Anne’s eyebrow twitched. “Perhaps with a charity that runs a lodging house for widows and orphans. If only we could find one of those!”
Michael leaned in. “Now see here, Anne—”
“I agree,” Mr. Branton interjected, “that your house is too obvious a location, and that we should assume this building is being watched. Until arrangements can be made for a safehouse, the boys will have to stay here.”
“I think you’re right,” Anne said. She crossed the room and leaned out into the hall. “Ralph, Joseph,” she called to the two footmen who had accompanied them, “would you come in here, please?”
Anne briefed her footmen on the situation. “For the time being, those boys need to be guarded around the clock.”
“I’ll do it,” Joseph offered. “I’m the oldest of seven. It won’t be no bother, watching over a couple of boys.”
“You must never leave them unattended,” Anne said.
“Joseph can bunk here,” Ralph suggested, “right in the same room with the boys. Another of us will stand watch outside the door at night when he’s asleep. We can take it in turns.”
“Perfect. We’ll also need extra security for the front door.”
“I know some likely fellows,” Ralph said.
“Are they trustworthy?” Anne asked.
“Yes, ma’am. Most of them are my cousins.”
“Good. Get them in place as soon as you can.” Anne turned to Mrs. Godfrey. “Please speak to Nick and Johnny. They need to understand that they’re not to go outside until this has been taken care of, not even to play in the alley.”
“I’ll go at once, my lady.” Mrs. Godfrey stood, and Joseph followed her out.
Mr. Branton rose. “I should be going, too. You mentioned that Johnny and Nick thought the house they were taken to was near a kiln. I have a contact over at the Exchequer—I’ll ask if he can do a little digging, see if Gladstone owns any property that would fit that description.”
“An excellent thought,” Anne said.
“A needle in a haystack, most likely, but we’ll leave no stone unturned.” Mr. Branton bowed over Anne’s hand, paused, then grabbed Michael’s arm and pulled him toward the door. “Walk me out, Morsley.”
As soon as they were a little ways down the hall, Mr. Branton stopped, spinning to face Michael. “I’ve heard enough good things about you that I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt,” he hissed. “But you are making it exceedingly difficult.”
Michael glowered at him. “You cannot expect me to be pleased that my future wife is tangled up with a bunch of murderers.”
“I can tell you this much—she’s not going to be your future wife if you keep barking orders at her and treating her like a child. Aren’t you supposed to be the person who knows her better than anyone? Do you truly believe she will respond well to such an approach?”
Michael pictured Anne’s eyebrow twitching furiously. “No,” he grumbled.
“No, indeed. Now, I suggest you get back in there and channel that anger in a better direction.”
“And what direction would that be?”
