Jasper let out his breath. “Still, to lose her…I cannot help but be concerned.”

“I know.”

“Were you able to find Ellis Maitland, or did he head after them to further claim his prize?” He shook his head. “I have to assume he has no real desire to marry her.”

“I don’t think so, especially since I’m not certain he was headed to Scotland.” Reynolds got up and began to pace. “I lost him after your unpleasant encounter, but there has been no report of him since. Not along the roads north and not leaving out the port in Beckfoot. He has simply vanished.”

Jasper clenched his fist on the desktop. “Then we are in no better position than we were to start with.”

Reynolds shrugged. “Perhaps a bit better. We know Miss Anne is not with the worst villain of the two. We also know that Maitland wants something he believes you have. Enough that he would risk stealing your bride to get it.”

“His damned treasure,” Jasper spat, “if there ever was such a thing. Honestly, Reynolds, I have been combing through my brother’s records for the year since his death, trying to detangle all his bad dealings, and I’ve never found anything about a treasure. Is there even such a thing or is Maitland crazy? Or did my brother double cross him?”

“I have no idea. But the truth is, I doubt your brother would have thought to record such a thing in his ledgers.” Reynolds faced him. “Didn’t he have a diary of some kind?”

Jasper nodded. “Really just a date book of sorts, to record his activities. There is little detail. I can find the old ones—I think they’re in the library. I know the names to look for, at least.”

“You do that. I’m going to continue to pursue any information on Rook Maitland, including what his real name might be and his connections.” Reynolds arched a brow. “I assume your real goal is to find Miss Anne, after all. For both the sake of your new wife and your former fiancée?”

Jasper stiffened. Once he might have only been focused on Ellis Maitland. On protecting himself. But Reynolds was correct that his priorities had changed. Until he could bring Anne back to Thomasina and her sister, he would have to focus on that. Then he’d deal with the bastard who had orchestrated this.

“Yes,” he said softly. “Thomasina is troubled beyond measure. She even tried to investigate herself, apparently. She and Juliana spoke again to Anne’s maid.”

Reynolds drew back in surprise. “Enterprising of them. Any information of use?”

“Only confirmation that this was a long plan of Maitland’s. Apparently he approached Anne weeks ago for his wooing.” He gritted his teeth at the thought. “But the maid didn’t seem to know about Maitland’s connection to my brother. So at least Thomasina doesn’t know my family’s part in her loss.”

“And that concerns you?”

“All of it concerns me.” Jasper sighed. “I’m hoping Thomasina will see this as a dead end and won’t try to continue her search. I don’t want her to make herself sick picturing Anne’s situation with not one villain, but potentially two. Especially when we have nothing real to tell her.” He shuddered. “So whatever you do, whatever you find, let’s be very careful it doesn’t get back to the family. Leave the telling to me when I feel it’s right.”