Page 82 of Duke of Sapphire

“I should have told you while she was still in the room,” Charlotte said. “I know you prefer to be informed. I was deciding whether it was worth your time.”

“Threats to your reputation,” Henry said, very evenly, “are always worth my time.”

“Threats to your name are also worth my time. Those are not the same thing.”

He was quiet for a moment. Then he picked up the letter. He held it out toward her.

Charlotte took it. She read it.

A possible sighting. Two crofters on the western road, three weeks prior. A man and a woman, on foot, moving north. The man matching Drummond’s description close enough that the local constable had sent word.

She looked up. “A sighting.”

“Unconfirmed.” Henry said it carefully. “It may be nothing. The timing is wrong by a week, and the road they were said to be on leads nowhere particularly useful.” He stopped. “But it is the first report of any kind in two months.”

“Ian—”

“I have not told Ian.” Henry’s jaw was set. “Not until I know more. I will not raise his hopes and then—” He stopped again.

Charlotte understood exactly. She held the letter a moment longer, then gave it back.

“You are going to Scotland,” she said.

“I am leaving tomorrow morning.” He tucked the letter into his coat. “I need to speak to the constable myself. The men I have sent are good, but this requires⁠—”

“I am coming with you,” Charlotte said.

Henry looked at her.

“You will need me,” she said. “Ian responds to both of us. If Nathan and Eleanor are found—when they are found—Ian will need⁠—”

“Ian will need you here,” Henry said. “He cannot come to Scotland on what may be a false trail. He cannot go through that again.” He looked at her very directly. “I need you to stay with him.”

Charlotte wanted to argue. She could see the shape of the argument perfectly clearly, all its pieces, and she could feel it pressing at the back of her teeth.

She looked out of the window instead.

He was right about Ian.

“How long?” she said.

“Four days. Perhaps five.”

“And if you find them?”

“Then I will send word immediately and you will bring Ian north.” He paused. “I promise you that.”

Charlotte nodded once. She turned away from the window.

“There is something else you should know,” she said.

He waited.

“About Lady Hartwell’s visit. What she said about the marriage’s legality.” Charlotte clasped her hands. “It is not only drawing room conversation. If that story takes hold—if people begin to genuinely question the validity of the marriage—that is a legal problem, not just a social one. It could be used against you.” She met his eyes. “Against us.”

“Used by whom?” Henry said.

“I don’t know. Redmont, possibly. My father. Anyone with a reason to want either of us destabilized.” She kept her voice even. “I am not being dramatic. I am being practical.”