“He said it was his fault.”
She shook her head. “But not in the way you may think. He wanted me to marry his cousin, who was heir to Papa’s title, to keep it in this family. That man... was not an honorable man.”
Timothy seemed to absorb this quietly. “Why did you not tell me?”
“Because you were young and outspoken and not prone to keeping secrets. You had already developed your own sense of honor, even if it was tempered with arrogance and innocence. If anyone outside the family knew, it would bring ruin on us all.”
“Especially you.”
She nodded once. “Especially me.”
“And dressing as a man and cutting off your hair will not?”
She heard the slight tease in his voice. “At this point, I am almost beyond ruination. But the truth is I no longer cared. I had to find you, no matter the cost.”
He fell silent again, and that stare returned. “What do we do now?”
Eloise sighed. “I am not certain. I know we need to get you home to Papa.”
“Has he truly been trying to find me?”
“Frantic.”
A tap on the inner door stopped their conversation. “Are you ready for guests?”
Timothy’s smile had a slight crook to it. “Is it the ladies from last night?”
“Doubtful.”
He shrugged, and Eloise almost laughed. She stood. “Enter!”
The door opened, and Gilley entered, followed by Adrienne, who rushed to throw her arms around Eloise. “Oh, my dear!” Eloise returned the hug, then Adrienne looked at the bed. “And this is the fair Timothy?”
“None other.”
Adrienne gave the young man in his nightshirt a quick curtsey. “My lord, it is a pleasure.” She glanced at Gilley, who nodded, and turned to Eloise. “We must make ready.Tout suite!”
Eloise stepped back. “What’s going on?”
Gilley cleared his throat. “They took him. Him and the whole lot of ’em. They’re goin’ before the magistrate this morning.”
Her throat tightened. “So soon?”
Adrienne grabbed her elbow. “Sir Richard Birnie is the magistrate. He never waits on these cases. Too much of a spectacle. They took some of the men to the Covent Garden watch-house last night, and there’s already a crowd there, out for blood. They put some of the men in Newgate for their safety. They will all be transported to Bow Street this morning. They say Sir Richard will take the bench at least by ten. If you want to help him, we have to go.”
Eloise looked at Timothy, whose expression suddenly turned unreadable. The stare was back. “Timothy?” she asked softly.
His gaze dropped to the floor. “I will have to see them?”
“Yes.”
“I will have to speak against them?”
“I—I do not know.”
His head raised slowly, and a bright fire lit his eyes. Red blotches spread over his cheeks, and his lips became a thin line. “Ladies, will you excuse me? Mr. Gilley, would you assist me with my garb?”
“Of course, my lord.”
