His face tightened. “And Ellis named you.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded.
Exasperation crossed his face, and he closed his eyes for a moment. “Good Lord.”
Mrs. Pembroke sniffed. “Yes, I imagine He’s been busy.”
Nathaniel opened his eyes and looked at the locket again. “This is known in certain hands.”
“Very few hands,” Mrs. Pembroke said. “But enough.”
Anna glanced between them. “You know it?”
“I know of it.” He glanced at Mrs. Pembroke. “Not the details.”
“The fewer details, the better.” Mrs. Pembroke lifted the locket and placed it in Anna’s palm.
Anna stared at her. “Me?”
“You began this by stitching the pocket. You may finish it by choosing the courier.”
Anna’s hand closed around the locket, the silver cool against her skin.
Nathaniel’s gaze roamed her face. “You don’t have to give it to me.”
Mrs. Pembroke’s brows shot up. “Of course she does. I did not bring it down so we could admire it and discuss your humility.”
Anna barely heard her. The locket sat in her hand, heavier than before. Inside were the words she’d forgotten.
In God We Trust.
Anna stepped toward Nathaniel. He didn’t so much as reach for it. That mattered to her more than she thought. She held it out. “Take it.”
His eyes searched hers. “Are you certain?”
“No.”
His mouth twitched, but he didn’t smile.
Anna drew in a shuddering breath. “I’m frightened and still angry. I didn’t like how you chose for me in the lane.”
He gave her a sage nod. “I know.”
“But Bell is gone, and safe. You did that. Or helped do it.” She looked down at the locket. “And Mrs. Pembroke trusts you. I think… General Washington’s people trust you too.”
He said nothing and simply waited.
Anna gazed up at him again. “And despite my best efforts, I find that I do as well.”
His usual guarded look eased, and what remained was so tender it nearly undid her. He accepted the locket, his fingers brushing hers. The touch was brief, but Anna felt it all the way to her heart.
Mrs. Pembroke cleared her throat. “Excellent. Now that we have survived a dramatic transfer without anyone swooning, Mr. Reed, you will leave by the garden path. Elias has been instructed to be useless near the west gate for precisely five minutes. He excels at it, so do not waste the opportunity.”
Nathaniel tucked the locket inside his coat. “Where is it to go?”
Mrs. Pembroke gave him a look.
He nodded. “Right. No clever questions.”
