Nine #2
Anna’s shoulders shook with silent mirth. Nathaniel’s gaze flicked to her, the corner of his mouth softening. Then the warmth vanished.
Mrs. Pembroke crossed to the writing table and began sorting papers. “Mr. Reed, you arrive at a very inconvenient time.”
“I find I often do,” he said with a shrug.
Mrs. Pembroke lifted a folded list and held it out but didn’t release it when he took hold of the edge. “You are being watched, Mr. Reed.”
Anna’s breath stopped. Nathaniel didn’t so much as blink. “By whom?”
Mrs. Pembroke’s expression remained bland. “Well, if I knew that, I would have said so and spared us both the drama.”
“Mrs. Pembroke,” Anna whispered.
The older woman ignored her. “The house is being watched as well. Lieutenant Rothborne has named Anna. Major Ellis intends to question servants, and someone has taken an interest in the movement of our couriers.” She looked Nathaniel right in the eyes.
His gaze shifted to Anna. There it was again. Concern. Once again, in a flash, the look was gone. “You should both be careful,” he said.
Mrs. Pembroke released the list. “Good heavens, Mr. Reed, is that the best you can do? Tell women to be careful after men have made caution nearly impossible?”
Nathaniel glanced at Anna again and held her gaze. “No. That’s not the best I can do.”
Mrs. Pembroke’s eyebrows shot up with interest. “How promising.”
He tucked the attendance list inside his coat. “Major Ellis will not wait long.”
“No,” Mrs. Pembroke agreed. “I imagine patience is not one of his virtues.”
He inclined his head toward them. “Mrs. Pembroke. Miss Turner.”
Anna managed a nod. “Mr. Reed.”
And just like that, he left as quickly as he’d come, the door closing behind him.
Her shoulders slumped as Mrs. Pembroke opened the black case again. “Goodness,” Anna said, “I may need to revise my opinion of Mr. Reed.”
Mrs. Pembroke lifted the locket. “Yes, some men may be useful after all.”
Anna let out a long sigh. If Nathaniel Reed meant to help them, then he was in danger. And if he didn’t help, she was.
Nathaniel left morning room with the attendance list, along with the unsettling knowledge that three people in the house knew far too much.
Mrs. Pembroke knew he was being watched. Anna knew enough to be afraid for him. And as much as he hated to admit it, he’d wanted to stay in that room one moment longer simply because she was in it.
That was foolish and dangerous. He’d spent years teaching himself not to want anything too much.
Anna had lowered her eyes when he entered the morning room, but not before he saw the fear in them.
It was not for herself, but for him. He shouldn’t think about that, or the way her concern struck him harder than Rothborne’s suspicions.
He’d wanted to tell her the truth, if only so she’d stop looking at him as though he stood on the wrong side of everything she believed.
He walked back into the parlor. Captain Whitby stood near the mantel, one hand braced against it, while Major Ellis studied a set of notes. Lieutenant Rothborne prowled near the window like a caged animal.
Nathaniel crossed the room and handed the list to Captain Whitby. “Mrs. Pembroke sends the attendance list, sir.”
Whitby snatched it out of his hand. “About time.”
“I’m afraid it took time to locate,” Nathaniel said.
Rothborne turned to them. “In a house so well managed?”
Ellis didn’t comment as Whitby unfolded the list. “Partridge, Wexford, Sloane, Wilkins, Drayton, Ellis, Rothborne, myself, officers from the harbor post,” Whitby muttered under his breath.
Rothborne stepped closer. “The maid, Turner, was in and out of the parlor all evening.”
“So were all the servants,” Whitby said. “Leave it alone, man.”
Nathaniel kept his face still.
“She was pale,” Rothborne offered, his tone suspicious.
Captain Whitby slowly turned to look at him. “Lieutenant, half the household is pale. They were cleaning up after my guests until after dawn.”
Rothborne’s gaze cut toward Nathaniel. “You defended her last night, Reed.”
Though he shouldn’t have, Nathaniel rolled his eyes. “I defended Mrs. Wexford’s reputation, though poorly, I might add.”
Captain Whitby snorted as he continued to go over the list. Nathaniel took on a somber look. “If I panicked every time officers disagreed around me, Lieutenant, I would have fled British employment months ago.”
“That may yet prove wise,” Ellis put in.
“Perhaps,” Nathaniel said, “but I am paid by the errand, and wisdom rarely feeds a man.”
Ellis studied him for a moment, then glanced at the list in the captain’s hands. “Mrs. Wexford spoke with Sloane.”
Whitby frowned. “Half the room spoke with Sloane.”
“But Mrs. Wexford complained about the sugar loudly enough to provide cover for anyone standing near her,” Ellis said.
Nathaniel lowered his gaze before his relief could show. Ellis had taken the bait. Not fully, perhaps, but enough to turn his thoughts away from Anna for the moment.
A noisy guest was safer to suspect than a quiet maid. Mrs. Wexford might be offended by questions, but she wouldn’t hang for them. Anna might.
Ellis tapped one name on the list. “We’ll begin with those who moved near Sloane and Rothborne while they were near the hearth, then the servants.”
Nathaniel’s relief vanished as Rothborne’s eyes narrowed. “Including Turner.”
Captain Whitby folded the list. “Very well. Tomorrow.”
“Tonight,” Ellis replied. “Before Bell is moved.”
Nathaniel’s pulse slowed. There it was.
“Moved where?” Captain Whitby asked.
Ellis’s gaze shifted to Nathaniel and back. “A safer holding place.”
Nathaniel pretended not to hear the insult beneath the omission.
Whitby exhaled. “Very well. Reed, carry word to the harbor post that Major Ellis will require the east road clear after dark.”
Rothborne scowled. “Why him?”
“Because he is standing here,” Whitby snapped.
Nathaniel inclined his head. “At once, Captain.”
Major Ellis watched him. “No delays, Reed.”
“Of course not, sir.” Nathaniel turned to the door and left.
As he reached the hall, he saw Anna at the far end of it with a stack of folded linen in her arms. She stopped when she saw him, but only for a heartbeat.
He wanted to tell her to stay out of sight and trust no one. What he really wanted to tell her was to trust him, but he’d given her precious little reason to. He also wanted to touch her hand, as if such a small thing could steady either one of them at this point.
Instead, he gave her the slightest shake of his head. Do not come closer.
She held the linen she carried closer, the look in her eyes telling him she understood.
Nathaniel stepped into the afternoon sun and mounted his horse. He’d been ordered to the harbor post and would go, but first, he would find a way to send Caleb one more warning.
Bell moved tonight. East road.
And if God was merciful, Anna would remain exactly where she was until he could keep the danger from reaching her.
Unfortunately, Nathaniel was beginning to know Anna, which meant she might do something that could put her in danger anyway.