“I’m sorry, Mama,” he wretchedly replied.
As she waved smelling salts in Susan’s general direction, Miss Bates cast Emma a concerned glance. “Mrs. Knightley, what are we to do? Is there real danger?”
“William, when was the last time you met those men?” Emma asked.
“November. Haven’t gone near Kingston-on-Thames since then.”
“And no one has made any attempt to contact you?”
“Not a word. Nothing.”
Emma nodded. “Then I’m sure it’s fine. I wouldn’t worry.”
I hope.
Mrs. Cox, who’d taken refuge behind her handkerchief, resurfaced to cast Emma a hopeful glance. “Do you really think so?”
“I expect they don’t want to draw attention to themselves. And if they thought William was worth the effort, they would have already tried to contact him.”
The young man looked mortified by her assessment, but Emma couldn’t find it in herself to be sorry. He was getting off lightly.
Mrs. Cox blinked a few times. “So … so this is the end of it?”
“I should think so.” Emma rose to her feet. “Mrs. Cox, I’m very sorry for the distress this has caused you. I would not have brought this to your doorstep if I didn’t think it absolutely necessary.”
Mrs. Cox all but leaped to her feet and grasped her hand. “Mrs. Knightley, you have done us a great kindness. We can never thank you enough.”
The others also rose, the Cox siblings radiating various levels of mortification.
“William, I expect you to come to me or to Mr. Knightley if you think of anything else that could be relevant,” Emma said. “Or if you hear of anything else, especially if it pertains to Donwell Abbey or Mr. Larkins.”
“I will, ma’am. I promise.”
She and Miss Bates were halfway to the door before she realized she’d forgotten to ask a rather important question. “William, you said that as far as you know there was no connection between Donwell Abbey and this gang.”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“That includes any staff who might have previously worked there, correct?”
William frowned. “Why would any of your servants be involved with those men?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to mention Prudence, but she thought better of it. It seemed clear he’d told her everything he knew.
“Thank you,” she replied. “Don’t forget to write down everything and send it to me.”
“You may be sure he will do so immediately,” said Mrs. Cox. “Please, let me show you and Miss Bates to the door.”
Moments later, they found themselves on the street.
“Mrs. Cox was certainly eager to be shot of us,” Emma dryly noted as they headed up the street. “I believe she almost closed the door on the skirt of my pelisse.”
“I thought you were brilliant, Mrs. Knightley,” Miss Bates earnestly said. “I was so horrified by William’s dreadful tale that I could barely utter a word.”
“Nonsense, you were most helpful.” She smiled. “I especially enjoyed your reprimand of Anne.”
“I was rather shocked at myself, but I truly felt for poor Mrs. Cox.”
“Please feel free to deliver set-downs to Anne on a regular basis. It might even improve her manners.”
