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Sully’s face lit up. “Have you come up with a scheme?”

“All we need to do is kidnap Miss Bennet and hold her for a large ransom.”

Instantly, Sully’s face fell. “Are you mad? Why do you really believe his lordship would pay a ransom for her? Besides, he could just as easily have us killed.”

“Your reaction is exactly why I am in charge, my friend. Use your head! If he kills us, he will never find Miss Bennet.”

As Sully’s attitude seemed to change immediately, Drago added, “Do you recall him saying he wanted to leave Miss Bennet with no one on whom she could depend—thus, she would have to turn to him? Make no mistake! She is his motive for everything he does, and it is not as though he can go to the authorities to accuse us since we can implicate him in the murders.” Drago laughed. “We have him by the bollocks, and I believe he will pay a large ransom for her return. Once we collect it, we can sail to Canada.”

“So, what do we do next?”

“We wait until Miss Bennet has reported back to the constable on her interviews and returns to Lambton where all her belongings are. On the road south, we can take her with little effort, given the inadequate protection she has.”

“You have the right of it! Her servant seems barely able to walk, much less protect her,” Sully boasted.

As they talked, Tom listened without saying a word. He had always admired his brother for being able to make money without working a day in his life and had often been rewarded for alerting them to what the constable in Sheffield was doing to fight crime. Now, however, he decided he should have a greater reward for telling them about Miss Bennet.

“I-I think I deserve a part of the ransom,” he declared. “After all, if not for me, you would never have known that she was going to interview witnesses about the murders.”

Drago eyed his friend’s brother contemptuously, though he made certain not to let either man know his true feelings. He intended to be the only one to end up with the ransom money. “I think that can be arranged,” he replied wryly.

Tom’s hopeful expression changed to a brilliant smile. “Then I shall return to my work. Who knows what may happen when Harry drives Miss Bennet around?”

Having said that, Tom exited the room.

“You may take Tom’s cut of the ransom from my portion,” Sully announced. “He has been a good brother, and I do not mind.”

“As you wish,” Drago replied.

Chapter 12

Constable’s office

Three days later

When Elizabeth walked into the constable’s office on Friday, she was surprised to note that the young man who previously sat behind the desk had been replaced by the middle-aged woman who had been sitting beside Constable Stone’s bed days before.

“Mr. Miller is not about?” Elizabeth asked.

“No, ma’am,” the woman said. “I suspect Tom might have drunk too much last night, for he sent word he was too ill to work today. That happens quite frequently. In any case, I was asked to mind the desk as well as to take care of the constable until Tom returns.”

Though she had seen the woman before, they had not been introduced, so Elizabeth offered, “I am Elizabeth Bennet,” and dipped a quick curtsey. “I hope Mr. Stone feels well enough to speak to me.”

The woman stood and dropped a curtsey in return. “Mrs. Palmer at your service, ma’am. The constable already has a visitor, but I shall tell him you are here.”

“I-I do not wish to disturb him. I will wait.”

“From what little I have heard, I suspect they may both be waiting for you.”

Elizabeth’s brows rose as she watched the woman disappear behind the door and close it. Almost instantly, she reappeared. “You may go in.”

Elizabeth was astonished to see Colonel Fitzwilliam sitting in the chair by the bed. As he stood to acknowledge her, she felt her face grow warmer as she recalled the last time they had spoken, which was at Kent a little over two years before when she had made the worst decision of her life.

“Col-Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she stuttered. “I certainly did not expect to see you here.”

“It is strange how things work out, is it not?” he replied. “I was appointed by General Lassiter to investigate Lord Morgan’s death. In that capacity, I came to Sheffield to confer with Constable Stone. He informed me that you have been conducting interviews for him, since he is unable.”

“I have,” Elizabeth said. “I came today to relay to Mr. Stone what I have learned.”