But the privileged often lost sight of reality.
Franklin agreed. “Are you mad? What began as a small favour will see us both hanged.” A pained howl escaped him. “I almost killed my sister in a fit of panic.”
“They’ll not hang a peer. It would cause civil unrest,” Wrotham sneered. “Take control of the situation. Bribe your sister with jewels. Threaten to throw her out if she utters a word.”
Franklin had heard enough. A thud and a clatter preceded him shouting, “Take the damn plates. I’m leaving. Don’t contact me again.”
“Have a care. You’ll damage the goods.”
“We can’t let either of them leave,” Aaron uttered. “Not until Daventry arrives. Where the hell is he?”
Theo’s heart raced. If Wrotham left the premises, they would lose him in the fog. And it would help the prosecution if he was found taking the forged plates from the silversmith.
“I can stall them,” Eleanor said sotto voce. “I can pretend I saw Mr Franklin and was worried about the apothecary.”
Like the day Theo saw her lying at the bottom of the stairs, his blood ran cold. “I’ll not send you into a viper pit.”
“If we don’t do something, our efforts will be in vain.” She reached for his hand and clasped it tightly. “Mr Franklin attacked me. He entered my home and watched me sleep. I’ll not rest if he escapes.”
“Miss Darrow is right,” Aaron uttered. “She can play the witless female and buy us time. Neither of them would be fool enough to hurt her.”
Every fibre of his being fought against the suggestion. “I can’t lose her.”
“I shall take a weapon, say I suspected intruders. Trust me.”
God, he wanted to believe she could succeed, but fear had him by the throat. “The minute they threaten you, I’ll put them both on their arses. Play dumb. Don’t mention the case.”
Her chin trembled as she nodded. “I can do this.”
He had never met a more courageous woman in his life.
The urge to declare his feelings overwhelmed him, but instead, it emerged as a demand. “You’ll marry me when this is over.”
A smile touched her lips. “That’s hardly a proposal worthy of the King of Hearts.”
“Desperate times call for desperate measures.” She would get a proper proposal once they’d dealt with Wrotham.
“I suggest you hurry, Miss Darrow,” Aaron whispered. “Before Franklin flees. We’ll be right behind you.”
Eleanor turned to Theo, grabbed his coat lapels and kissed him. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
He thrust the silver candlestick into her hand, but she refused it. “Franklin may recognise it and know I have been inside his premises. I shall survive on my wits.”
And with that, she crossed the threshold.
“If anything happens to her, shoot me,” Theo said.
Aaron gripped his shoulder. “Miss Darrow is a capable woman. I’m sure it’s one of the many reasons you love her.”
Miss Lovelace was a capable woman, too, but this was not the time to tease Aaron. Indeed, they crept into the house, keeping to the shadows.
“Mr Walker? Are you there?” Eleanor sounded like a concerned neighbour. “Do you know you left the back door open?” When no one answered, she shouted, “If you’re one of those terrible men from the merchant ship, know I’m going to fetch a constable.”
That got Franklin’s attention.
From his hiding place in the storeroom, Theo heard the clip of footsteps before Franklin appeared in the doorway.
“Miss Darrow? Why are you not at home in bed?”
“Mr Franklin? Is that you? Oh, thank heavens. I thought you were one of those foul men from the merchant ships.”
Wrotham was hiding in the shop, probably ducking behind the oak counter filled with dried herbs and pots of salve.
Franklin didn’t move but continued blocking the doorway. “I thought I saw a thief entering Mr Walker’s premises but was mistaken. I vowed to keep an eye on things while he’s away in Oxford.”
“That’s extremely good of you, sir. How is Anna? I can spare time tomorrow if she would like company.”
Excellent! Keep him talking.
“She woke for a little while and managed a few spoonfuls of vegetable broth. It’s our grandmother’s recipe and works wonders for an ailing constitution.”
“You’ll have to give me the recipe.”
“I’m sure Anna will when she’s recovered.”
An awkward silence ensued.
