Christian grimaced. ‘That legal process has been deliberately delayed, for obvious reasons, so that—Suffice it to say that, for the moment, for the matter of a few more days only, it is still possible for Bonapartists in England to foil the arrangements made for his incarceration. After which they are no doubt hoping to see him safely returned to France, at which time a civil
war will once again break out, allowing Bonaparte to prevail through the ensuing chaos.’
‘But surely the French people have already spoken, by accepting the return of their King?’ Bea did not pretend to know a great deal about politics, few ladies of her age did, but even she did not believe that the usurper Napoleon could reign without the will of the majority of the people.
Sutherland gave a rueful shake of his head. ‘A number of French generals have spoken, as has the British government and its allies, but they alone are responsible for the Corsican’s complete defeat, and returning Louis to his throne. Napoleon’s charisma has always been such that no one with any sense believes it will be possible to proclaim the man thoroughly subdued until after he is dead.’
Bea eyed him curiously. ‘You sound as if you might have met him.’
‘I have recently had that dubious honour.’ Christian nodded ruefully. ‘I expected to dislike him intensely, for the mayhem he has created here for so many years, as well as on the Continent, and for the lives lost because of it, many of them my own friends. Instead, I am sorry to say, I found him every bit as intelligent and charismatic as he is reputed to be.’ His jaw tightened. ‘Enough so that I perfectly understand Maystone’s concerns should he give in to the demands of his grandson’s kidnappers, and so allowing the Corsican’s followers opportunity to free him.’
‘And these demands are?’ Griffin asked softly.
Christian’s shoulders slumped. ‘Can you not guess?’
He nodded. ‘They wish to know the secret details and destination of Bonaparte’s exile, so that they might intercede either before or during his journey.’
‘Details Maystone is obviously completely aware of.’ Christian gave an acknowledging inclination of his head. ‘And time, unfortunately, is running out.’
Bea was unsure as to whether he meant time was running out for the plans of Bonaparte’s followers or for Lord Maystone’s grandson. Either way, determined steps must be taken to find the little boy and return him to his parents and grandfather, before it was indeed too late.
Just the thought of an eight-year-old boy suffering the same cruel imprisonment that she had was beyond bearing.
‘Griffin?’ she appealed.
Griffin had never felt as impotent as he did with Bea looking up at him so trustingly. As if she believed he was capable of solving this situation when Maystone and Christian had been unable to in the past three weeks.
But he dearly wanted to deserve that look of complete trust, to be the hero that Bea believed him to be.
He turned to Christian. ‘Have you and Maystone made any progress at all?’
Christian grimaced. ‘We have arrested several more people involved in the original assassination plot, but all claim to know nothing of the kidnapping of Maystone’s grandson. Consequently they did not have any information on where the boy is being held. Your information of Lady Bea’s abduction, so similar to that of Maystone’s grandson, is the first real indication we have had that mistakes are being made. Desperation is setting in, and when that happens...’
‘The whole begins to unravel,’ Griffin finished with satisfaction.
‘But I have told you both that I do not know why I was taken! That I do not know anything.’ Bea hesitated. ‘That is not completely true. I now know where I was when I was abducted!’ Her eyes lit up excitedly. ‘I know who was at the house party that weekend. Surely once I have told you their names it can only be a matter of time— You have both said there is no time!’ She groaned her frustration.
Griffin frowned in thought. ‘You were abducted from a house party?’
‘Yes. Sir Rupert Colville and his wife had invited my aunt and I— I am such a fool!’ Bea pounded the palm of her hand against her forehead. ‘Griffin, I tried to speak with you earlier. I know now who my guardian is—’ She broke off to look up at Seaton. ‘That is the reason you have kept your own counsel since you arrived! Why you have been so protective of me.’
‘Yes,’ he confirmed grimly.
‘Would someone care to enlighten me?’ Griffin raised an impatient brow.
Bea turned back and unthinkingly clasped both his hands in hers.
‘It is Sir Walter Latham, who is my late mother’s cousin and now my guardian!’
Griffin gave a start, pulling sharply away from Bea before standing up. ‘Sir Walter?’ he repeated disbelievingly. Bea was the niece Sir Walter had spoken of so affectionately? The niece who had been in London with her aunt but whom Latham now claimed to be staying with friends? ‘But he has no interest in politics or society.’ Griffin frowned. ‘He is a pleasant and jovial enough fellow, but otherwise— You already knew of this connection, Christian, and said nothing?’ he accused, recalling how he had sensed his friend’s air of reservation when they had spoken of Sir Walter earlier.
The other man gave a frustrated shake of his head. ‘The fact that Lady Bea is his ward does not make Sir Walter guilty of any more than negligence at the moment, in having failed to report her as missing. And there are often other reasons than kidnapping for a young lady’s sudden disappearance,’ he added dryly.
Griffin turned back to Bea. ‘You said your aunt accompanied you to this house party?’
‘Yes,’ she confirmed hesitantly.
That Lady Francesca Latham, always so cold and mocking, might be involved in intrigue and kidnapping, Griffin certainly could believe.