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His instructions were to be in York by the first of June. Which gave him just over a month. Four weeks to somehow stop an auction of innocents and bring the bastards behind the whole thing down.

And he hadn’t even told Henry or Rhys, or God forbid, Charlotte.

He hadn’t told Arabella.

Ben bit his lip, forcing down the sudden despair. If he asked her, he had no doubt she’d go with him. How could he tell her he’d be signing her death warrant too? Henry would understand. So would Rhys. But Arabella…?

He felt the walls closing in. Should he contact his brother? He searched inside himself for a second. Would Arthur help him? Or would he abandon the sibling who’d caused him so much embarrassment to the wolves. Benedict honestly didn’t know. And for that reason, he didn’t dare take the risk.

He hadn’t been to Cliff House, or Simla House, since the fateful night at Castel-a-Mare. The only missive he’d sent was to ensure the rescued girls had been moved to safety in the orphanage at Tavistock Manor.

He got to his feet and went to pick up the crumpled letter. Smoothing it out on the desk, he read it again, then pulled on his coat. The clock was ticking, and he’d hesitated long enough. No matter which way he looked at it, his career as a police officer was finished. It was time he stopped thinking like one.

* * *

‘While I’m naturally eager to hear what has brought Robert all the way from Melbourne, if he’s looking for our help, then perhaps it would behove us to convene an official meeting so that all employees of Shackleford and Daughters can be present to hear what he has to say.’ Charlotte’s interruption was for once spoken as a suggestion rather than an order. ‘We could certainly do with Rhys being present given his connections.’

‘Rhys is Alexandra’s husband?’ Rob queried. ‘I believe you mentioned that she’d married in your last letter, Henry. Is he too working for Shackleford and Daughters?’

‘He is,’ Henry confirmed. ‘He acts as our accountant and deals with the legal side of things.’

Rob raised his eyebrows. ‘I must say I’m surprised. Does he not have a title?’

It was Beatrix who responded. ‘I think Rhys would tell you that the title of Baron is in name only. He gave up his ancestral home as a refuge for orphaned children. He and Alex live in a house about a mile from here.’

‘Naturally he has business interests in addition to the work he does for us,’ Henry added, before sighing. ‘As much as I’m eager to hear your story, Robert, I believe Lottie’s suggestion is eminently sensible. I would like Alex and Bella to be present as well as Rhys and Bernie too. I’ll send a message to Alex directly. I suggest an early dinner followed by a meeting here. Would that suit you?’

Rob nodded with a rueful smile. ‘I truly wish I was here merely for the pleasure of your acquaintance. I have grown up hearing so much about South Devon in particular. Perhaps there will be some time to visit the places my father described once our business is concluded.’ His sombre tone belied his optimistic words, and Bea felt an unexpected pang. It was clear Rob Noon was not expecting the business to be concluded any time soon.

Rob put down his cup and smiled. ‘Perhaps you’ll excuse me,’ he said, preparing to climb to his feet. ‘I have yet to secure accommodation and would be grateful if you could point me in the direction of a comfortable hotel in Paignton?’

Both Henry and Charlotte stared at him, their appalled expressions so identical that Bea smothered a grin.

‘What the devil are you talking about?’ Charlotte retorted first, back to her usual acerbic manner. For a second Beatrix actually thought she might be about to add, Are you bacon-brained? for good measure. Fortunately, however, she restricted herself to a determined ‘You’ll stay here, in Cliff House, naturally,’ followed by a typical Charlotte sniff.

Cringing at her aunt’s rudeness, Bea’s eyes flew towards their visitor and was surprised to see a smile in his eyes. After a second, she realised he was not in the least offended. Clearly he’d already been fully apprised of Charlotte Shackleford’s penchant for direct speaking.

‘Naturally, I endorse my sister’s sentiment if not her manner,’ Henry interjected hastily with a frown at his sibling. ‘We would be honoured if you would stay here with us in Cliff House, Robert.’

Rob Noon gave a relieved smile and nodded. ‘I must confess I wasn’t looking forward to having to search for a hotel,’ he added. ‘If you’re certain I won’t be intruding…’

‘Quite certain.’ Charlotte’s retort had thankfully lost its sharp edge, but it was clear she wasn’t expecting an argument… She stood up and rang the small bell next to the fireplace. ‘I’ll instruct our maid, Peggy, to make up your room. It won’t take long. Then you can rest and freshen up.’

‘And I’ll search out Albert and ask him to deliver a message to Alex,’ Henry stated. ‘Perhaps you’d like to walk in the garden while you wait, Robert. I think you’ll find the views to Torquay in one direction and Brixham in the other quite spectacular. He glanced over at Aggie, whose nose was still pressed mournfully against the French doors. ‘Hopefully you’ll find Agatha’s manners much improved.’

‘That would be delightful, thank you.’ Rob leaned forward to place his empty cup on the occasional table.

‘Beatrix will accompany you of course,’ Charlotte added matter-of-factly, just as Peggy came into the room.

Totally unsurprised that she’d been volunteered, and knowing the futility of arguing, Bea ignored the now very vexing fluttering in her stomach and climbed to her feet. However, just as the maid was about to leave the room, she suddenly remembered Billy. ‘Peggy,’ she called, stopping the young woman in her tracks. ‘Have you seen Billy today?’

Peggy turned back with a small frown, clearly thinking. ‘I can’t say I ‘ave Miss Beatrix,’ she answered at length. ‘Not since breakfast at any rate.’

‘Could he be on an errand for Mrs Williams?’ Bea insisted. The maid shook her head.

‘Is he not in the house then? Might he be playing truant?’ Charlotte enquired with a worried frown of her own.

‘I don’t think so,’ Bea answered after a second. ‘I’m certain he’s on an errand somewhere. I merely thought his absence strange given his habit of being right in the thick of any excitement…’ She waved towards Rob, adding a dry, ‘And what could be more exciting than a visitor from the other side of the world?’