Maitland glanced at Thomasina, almost apologetically, she thought. What the hell was going on with this man? He was no hero, after all. Driven by greed and whatever other terrible things made men steal and cheat and lie and not care about any other person they hurt.

But he also seemed hesitant about physically harming her. And perhaps she could use that to her advantage. To Jasper’s advantage. To Anne’s advantage. But only if she used her wits.

Maitland waved Parks toward the door and then he returned his focus to Thomasina.

“Your quarrel is with Solomon, not Jasper,” she said softly. “But you know that.”

He shrugged. “I don’t care which Harcourt brother gives me what I want. I just want it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Solomon created this situation, you know. I’m just living with the consequences.”

Her brow wrinkled, for she didn’t understand what he meant. But she ignored that for the moment. “What about my sister? Your pawn to get Jasper to do your bidding? Did you harm her?”

Maitland’s gaze darted away, almost like he wasn’t proud of his situation with Anne. “I did what I had to do. But when I last saw her, she was fine.”

Thomasina straightened. “Last saw her?”

He glared at her. “Shut up, my lady. We’re done talking. Until your husband shows up, we have nothing to say.”

She clamped her lips shut and watched him as he paced the room, checking his watch every minute, waiting for Jasper. He was a trapped animal, that much was clear. And who knew what would happen once Jasper entered the room and confronted him?

Chapter 26

Jasper rolled from the bed and looked around Thomasina’s empty chamber. Despite the dire nature of the situation he found himself in, he still smiled at the rumpled sheets, the scent of her in the air. Whatever else happened from now until the day he took his last breath, he had her in his life. To have, to hold, to protect and to be protected by.

He flexed his shoulders back and moved to his room. He intended to dress and then find his wife. They could continue the search for clues about Maitland until Reynolds arrived from Beckfoot, and then they could determine how to reach out to the bastard with an offer of parlay.

He entered his chamber and rang the bell. In a moment, his valet, Hoffman, entered. “Good morning, Hoffman,” he began. “I’ll wear the—”

He didn’t get to finish the request, though. The door to his chamber flew open and one of the footmen, Parks, rushed in with Willard behind him and Reynolds on their heels. “What in the world—?” he began.

“I must speak to you alone, my lord,” Parks burst out, red and sweaty. Jasper stared disheveled nature of the young man’s hair and clothes. His gaze was a bit unfocused. “Please!”

“Come away, Parks,” Willard said, grabbing for his arm as Reynolds reached for the other. “Thank God Mr. Reynolds returned just a few moments ago in time to help me deal with this. I don’t know what madness you discovered during your guard shift, but we do not allow drinking on this staff. You will be dismissed for—”