Nathaniel entered and removed his hat. His eyes found Anna immediately, then moved to Mrs. Pembroke. He looked tired. In fact, more than tired. Anna could see the strain beneath the weariness. That frightened her.
“Forgive the interruption,” he said. “Captain Whitby requests the attendance list again. Major Ellis wishes to compare it with his own notes.”
“How tedious of him,” Mrs. Pembroke drawled.
He smiled. “Yes, ma’am. Perhaps he considers it a hobby. I will suggest it if I grow tired of living.”
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.”
