Nathaniel continued, “I delivered Captain Whitby’s order to the sentries. They were already in place. If information leaked, it leaked before I arrived.”
Rothburne’s eyes narrowed. “Convenient.”
“Annoying,” Nathaniel replied. “There is a difference.”
Whitby rubbed a hand over his jaw. “He has a point.”
Ellis didn’t look convinced and turned back to Nathaniel. “Then who knew?”
“Everyone you trusted with the route,” Nathaniel said. “Which appears to include enough men to lose one prisoner and blame half the village.”
Rothburne lunged a step forward. “Careful.”
Nathaniel’s voice stayed even. “I am being careful.”
Major Ellis stared at him for several heartbeats. “No one leaves this house without my permission.”
Mrs. Pembroke’s brows rose. “How grand. Shall I request permission to visit my own pantry?”
The major gave her a mock smile. “If necessary.”
Mrs. Pembroke smiled back. “Major Ellis, I begin to see why the prisoner escaped. Your attention is spread so thin.”
Captain Whitby closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Nathaniel didn’t smile as Major Ellis’s gaze returned to Anna. “We are not finished.”
“No,” Mrs. Pembroke said, voice crisp. “But we are finished for the moment. Captain Whitby, remove these men from my hall. They’re tracking mud all over my floor.”
For a moment, Anna thought Ellis would refuse. That is until Whitby muttered something under his breath and gestured toward the parlor.
Nathaniel remained behind only long enough to incline his head to Mrs. Pembroke. “Madam.”
His gaze shifted to Anna. “Miss Turner.”
She curtsied because the hall still had eyes. “Mr. Reed.”
He followed the others into the parlor.
Mrs. Pembroke ushered Anna back into the morning room and shut the door.
For several seconds, Anna could only stare at it. “He didn’t give them the message.”
“How very observant of you, my dear,” Mrs. Pembroke said.
“He helped Bell escape.”
“It would appear so.”
“He let me think he betrayed us.” Anna turned, anger rising fast enough to warm her cheeks. “Why?”
Mrs. Pembroke reached for her teacup. “To save you.”
“But… I didn’t ask him to save me.”
Mrs. Pembroke shrugged. “People rarely ask to be saved in the manner most likely to succeed.”
She stared at her own abandoned teacup. “That doesn’t make it right.”
