“Then who are you?” Thomasina whispered, hoping that getting him to talk would help.

He shook his head. “I used to know. But things change. I need leverage, and now I have it, much as I despise all this. Harcourt obviously cares for you. He’ll do anything to keep you safe.”

Thomasina shifted in her seat. Maitland was right, of course. Jasper had spent a great deal of time last night trying to explain how much he feared she would be in the exact position she found herself in now. If her husband heard she was in trouble, he would race to rescue her, treasure in hand. He wouldn’t care about the cost or the risk.

He cared for her. Maybe it was more than that, even if he wouldn’t admit it yet.

“And I’ll do anything to keep him safe in return,” she said evenly. Calmly, and for that she was pleased. At least she didn’t sound as terrified as she felt. “What do you want me to do?”

“Not you,” Maitland said, and leaned down to the servant on the floor. “Hey. Hey you, Parks. His name is Parks, right?”

Thomasina nodded. “Yes, the name of the man you tried to murder is Parks, Mr. Maitland.”

He looked at her again. “I didn’t try to kill him. A man in my position learns how to take out a threat without hurting him permanently. I cut off just enough blood with a choke to put him in this state, and nothing more.”

Thomasina shook her head. This man wasn’t how she’d pictured him when she imagined a great, terrible villain. Maitland was…charming in his own way, despite the horror of what was happening.

“Parks!” Maitland repeated as he lightly slapped the cheeks of the servant.

At last the poor footman groaned and his eyes fluttered open. “You bastard,” he grunted. His foggy gaze slipped to Thomasina. “My—my lady?”

She nodded. “It’s all right, Parks. Are you well?”

Parks rubbed his neck as he sat up slightly. “Aye, my lady. Just a headache.”

She let out a sigh of relief. “Please do anything he says. Don’t put yourself in more danger than you already are.”

Maitland smiled at her. “Good, listen to Lady Harcourt. Seems she’s a reasonable person after all. I want you to go up to the house. Speak only to your master. Tell him I have his wife and I want my treasure. If anyone else comes down here with him, she…” He trailed off and shifted slightly as his gaze flitted to her. There was hesitation there. Anguish. “I don’t want to have to hurt her. I don’t want to have to hurt anyone.”

Parks’ gaze slipped to Thomasina and she nodded slightly. “Do it.”

He struggled to his feet. Maitland spun him around and cut his binds on his ankles and hands. He held the blade out, as if poised to strike as Parks kicked away the ropes and rubbed his wrists. “You have fifteen minutes to bring him back, you understand? Hurry!”