“I don’t know.” Peter shrugged. “All I know is that Mr. Lettsome is going to be very angry, and his lordship said he’d protect me.”
Clearly, Frits’s promise held a lot of weight.
“Indeed I shall,” Frits confirmed. “As will Lord Wivenly and the ladies.”
“What do we do next?” Adeline asked her sister-in-law.
“We must find out exactly what the situation is. The mother might not know that the moment she stepped on shore, she was no longer a slave.” Eugénie glanced at Frits. “You said you gave the man your card.”
“Yes.” He pulled a face. “I suppose that means I had better go home. He might not waste any time calling.”
“That would be best.” She drained her cup and set it down. “Toutefois, I think it is better if Peter stays with us for a time.”
“What are we going to do if his mother still believes she is a slave?” Adeline prompted.
“Rescue her.” Will tugged the bellpull. “It won’t be the first time. After we have the whole story, we can make plans.”
Adeline supposed that was the only answer she would get until the child’s “owner” spoke with Frits. She glanced at him. “What will you do when he arrives?”
“I don’t know.” His black brows slanted down. “I suppose I’ll have to decide that based on what his story is.”
“If your mother is home, I could come with you.” The problem was that Frits would have to send a message to his house for the answer.
“Non.” Eugénie slowly shook her head. “We do not know these people. They are very sournois.” She frowned. “Devious. If they have brought the mother and son to England and have kept them captive. You are safer not meeting this man.” She focused on Frits. “And you must not believe what he says. You must only discover where he lives. Then we will save the mother.”
“Very well,” Frits agreed. “I shall follow your directions.”
Adeline walked him to the hall, where she took his hands. “Be careful. I cannot imagine what type of person wants to own other people, but he cannot be much better than his employee.”
“I have no doubt you are correct.” He raised her hands and placed a kiss on each palm before curling her fingers closed. “I will ensure my largest footmen are present when I meet with him.”
She was glad he’d be protected. “I shall see you this evening.”
His eyes caught hers, and for a moment she thought he would kiss her right here in her brother’s hall, but instead, he placed warm kisses on her knuckles.
“I look forward to it.”
* * *
Once Frits arrived back at his house, he didn’t have to wait long for Mr. Lettsome to present himself.
“My lord,” Creswell said stiffly, “I have placed the person for whom you have been waiting in the front parlor.”
Leave it to servants to know the quality of anyone coming to visit. “Should I arm myself?”
“Certainly not, my lord.” The butler’s chin rose. “I would not allow a ruffian in the house. However, the person is not a gentleman.”
“Interesting.” Frits rose. “We shall not require tea.”
“I did not think you would, my lord. Shall I announce you?”
His butler really was on his high ropes. “No. I need information from the man. It’s better not to appear too high in the instep.”
“Very good, my lord. I shall have two footmen standing outside the room.”
What Frits was to make of that, he didn’t know. Well, it couldn’t hurt, and he had told Adeline he’d have footmen at the ready. “As you will.”
He made his way up the corridor to the hall and entered a small parlor used only for people one did not wish to see for long. The man was fashionably dressed, but it was clear that neither Weston nor Hoby saw his custom. “Mr. Lettsome.” He turned, and Frits was a little startled by a gaudy ruby-and-diamond pin, as well as several fobs. “I am Littleton.” He motioned for Lettsome to take a seat. “I assume you are here about the child?”
