Page 24 of What the Heart Knows

Brookbank sat back in his chair, his expression one of assessment. Was he estimating the value of the assets their marriage would bring him, or did he somehow suspect her cooperation in the engagement was for appearances only. “I will count the minutes until you are able to join me in the garden, once your household duties are complete,” he said.

She didn’t reply but curtsied and walked away. Cook would accept her message in addition to the supply list she normally gave. Then under cover of an ordinary shopping expedition to Mr. Beuth’s shop, Cook would pass the message on to Kit via Mr. Beuth.

Once Cook was on her way, Meg approached the housekeeper. “You’ve been wanting me to inspect the household linens for several weeks,” she said to the woman. “Let us do that now, if you’ve the time.”

“I’ll make the time, Miss Fenneman, and if I may be so bold, perhaps we could discuss what the household needs to prepare for your coming nuptials. Two weeks is insufficient time to prepare, so a number of decisions must be discussed and made at the earliest opportunity.”

Between the linens and the discussion Meg would be occupied for most of the day. The idea of using preparation for the sham of a marriage to avoid her supposed fiancé pleased Meg no end. Kit, she suspected, would enjoy the joke as well.

***

Kit read Meg’s note and nearly crushed the precious document. Her message contained all the information needed to convict Brookbank and Squire Fenneman once taken into custody. It was also the first example he’d received of her elegant script. That she’d thought to confide in him touched him deeply.

He re-read the note before locking it into the desk drawer and pocketing the key.

Thank heaven I sent George with that request for dragoons. Pray heaven they arrive in time to capture the smuggling gang.

Beuth himself had brought the note, and said Miss Fenneman had begged the Sea Grange cook to take the message to Beuth disguised in a list of supplies. That Meg found subterfuge necessary to send the note worried Kit. His concern for her safety grew exponentially upon hearing the rumor of her impending marriage to Brookbank. Beuth, who had heard it from the Sea Grange cook, repeated the story to Kit.

“’Twould be a shame if a kind lady like Miss Fenneman were to wed a cur like Brookbank. Can’t imagine what she sees in him,” Beuth said.

“Women of the gentry often don’t have much choice in whom they marry,” Kit responded.

The shopkeeper’s head came up, and his gaze narrowed. “You think the squire would force her?”

“I cannot say.” Kit equivocated.

Beuth took the attempt at neutrality as confirmation. “Someone oughta do something.” The shopkeeper looked pointedly at Kit.

What does he expect me to do? Go charging into Sea Grange like some medieval knight and steal the evil squire’s daughter from under his nose? Balderdash and blather.

Kit’s hands were tied by his promise to Squire Fenneman not to approach his daughter.

“What’s to do, Captain?”

Evidently his military history and exploits were less a secret than Kit hoped.

“You’ve got experience in risky ventures. Surely you can help the lady.”

Help. Yes, he could offer help.

“Mr. Beuth, you understand Miss Fenneman’s position at Sea Grange is precarious. Brookbank will perceive any overt action, no matter how mild, as a threat.”

“Aye, haven’t I been telling you she’s in danger?”

“Indeed, my friend.” Kit placed a hand on the shopkeeper’s arm. “Given Brookbank’s position in the community and his reputation, I doubt he’d hesitate to harm Miss Fenneman if he imagines someone wishes to take her from him.”

“Oh.” Dismay opened Beuth’s mouth, and his hands gripped his head. “That’s not good.”

“Precisely. We must think carefully before acting, or we could increase Miss Fenneman’s danger.”

“Then how can we help her?”

“We can reply to her note assuring her aid’s ready and waiting. We must also suggest some signal that she might use which neither the squire nor Brookbank would recognize as a cry for help.”

“You mean like a candle in the window late at night?”

“Something similar but not dependent on darkness or any other condition. Something ordinary like what she did today by sending this message in place of a shopping list.”