And one attempted murder of a nosy policeman. Daniel had wrung that bit of information out of Earnshaw at the end of the interrogation. Earnshaw had lured him to the mill and pushed him over the walkway railing onto the waterwheel. “Not just any theft. Earnshaw admitted that over the years he had managed to bilk the Montgomery estate out of more than fifty thousand pounds.”

“Fifty thousand?” Though it was bad form, Sir Bertrand let out a low whistle. “Enough that Earnshaw would be desperate to hide it.”

“Enough to kill for, in his estimation.”

“What happens next?” Juliette asked.

“Earnshaw will be tried and sentenced, and he’ll pay for his crimes. There’s a warrant out for Finch, and when he’s arrested, he’ll also be tried for sedition, violating the Luddite laws, and a few other things besides. The River Police are watching the docks, and we’ve circulated a likeness of him amongst night watchmen and cab drivers and posted a reward for information as to his whereabouts in the dailies. We’ll find him.”

A commotion began in the hall, and Sir Bertrand frowned. “I said we were not to be disturbed.”

The door burst open, and the Countess of Thorndike entered, a fur-lined cape swinging from her shoulders and her arms outstretched. “Juliette, darling, we’re home.”

The earl came in next, shedding his outerwear and tossing a leather case onto the table. He took in his brother’s bandaged arm, and his brows rose. “What have you been up to while we were away?”

Daniel stood as Lady Juliette embraced her mother, her face shining with happiness. Her father was next, folding her into his arms and rocking her side to side. “We missed you, Jules-girl.”

He held her away from him. “I only hope the information we were sent to retrieve was worth the separation.” The earl looked at the case. “Still, we did what was asked, and Haverly can take our findings to Whitehall, and they can make what they will of it. I am going to put my foot down. We are staying home. No more missions for a while.”

“Really? You mean it?” Juliette launched herself into her father’s arms once more. “I’m so glad. I’ve missed you both terribly.”

A stab of envy at their relationship plunged through Daniel, and he gripped the back of his chair. Would a reconciliation with his mother be possible? Was he anywhere near ready for that? The hurt he had worn for years was comfortable, safe. He had built a wall between himself and the mother he had loved so fiercely as a child, and that wall had protected his heart from further pain. If he let the barrier come down, would more pain be his?

He nodded to Sir Bertrand and indicated his intention to leave. Best to allow the Thorndikes their private reunion. He had a report to make to Sir Michael.