On the other, the pub owner was correct. “I shall see that she does not require a pistol,” he answered.
Someone in the taproom called for ale. Rigby went out to serve him.
“Would she really shoot him, do you think?” Tom asked.
“Only to defend herself, I imagine.” The sooner they could be rid of this Spaniard, the better.
Rigby returned. “So what is it you’re asking of me?”
“We would like to find a ship, ideally heading to the West Indies, that would take an…unauthorized passenger,” Arthur replied.
This elicited a bark of laughter. “Unauthorized,” repeated Rigby. “You toffs have some fine words for dark doings.”
“It separates the really significant lawbreakers from the common criminals,” said Arthur.
This earned him a surprised and approving glance. “I know a few people on the docks,” said Rigby then. “Some as can slip an ‘extra’ passenger onto a ship at the right moment. Certain ships, that is.”
“Like being pressed,” said Tom.
Rigby grinned. He was missing a molar. “Bit more gentle than the navy perhaps. They’ll want paying though.”
Arthur nodded.
“And this individual would have to be kept quiet for a goodish time once he’s onboard.”
“Quiet,” said Arthur.
“As the grave.” Rigby’s gaze was challenging. “Trussed up till they’re well out to sea and no way back. He’ll be dumped on the docks at the first port of call across the sea.”
“But not harmed?” asked Arthur.
The pub owner shrugged. “Not so’s you’d notice. Or so’s I would, at any rate. I reckon he’ll suffer a few clouts if he makes any trouble.”
“I’d like to clout him,” said Tom.
“If he starts a real fight, he’ll be thrashed,” Rigby added.
Arthur found he didn’t care.
“And he’ll be made to work for his keep, belike.”
“I wish I could be there to see it,” said Tom.
“You want to be tossed onboard as well?” joked Rigby.
Tom grinned and shook his head.
“One thing.” Rigby held up a cautionary finger. “You’ve got to lay hold of this fella yourselves. I ain’t getting involved with that.”
Even more certain that the man had had brushes with the law, Arthur nodded. Rigby’s reluctance was understandable. Arthur wasn’t keen on that part of it himself. “We are not going to tell Señora Alvarez until this is over.”
Rigby appeared to find this only natural. “I’ll see what ships is in port and send word with Tom about the possibles.”
He looked startled when Arthur held out his hand, but he took it in a firm grasp, and they shook on the bargain.
Ten
Teresa was not surprised when Lord Macklin didn’t appear at the workshop the following day, or the one after that. It was only what she’d expected. Now that he knew the truth, he wished to have nothing more to do with her. Of course. She fought off the sharp stabs of disappointment this knowledge brought. He was a leading member of society. He followed its strictures, valued them. It had been ridiculous to hope otherwise. She hadn’t, really, hoped. Yet her eyes strayed to the doorway anytime there was movement from that direction. And she was downcast when the cause turned out to be someone else.
She should forget that she’d ever met the English earl. Hadn’t she been continually wishing to do so? And so she would. Eventually.
Her painting went slowly, and without its usual verve, another reason for melancholy. She had decided to give up and was putting on her bonnet to return home when a note arrived for her. Writing in French, the opera dancer Jeanne informed her that she’d received a special invitation to go out driving in the country the following day. The gentleman was not among the ones they’d had suspicions about. Indeed, Teresa couldn’t quite place him, which seemed a signal in itself.
He’d promised Jeanne a fine meal on the outing and a gift of coin. He’d also told her not to mention it to anyone, as he didn’t care for people to know his private business. Well, he was out of luck there, Teresa thought. She’d convinced the opera dancers that secret assignations were not a good idea in the current situation, and that she, at least, should be told.
Note in hand, she looked around for Tom. He wasn’t in the workshop, though he had been earlier. She checked the outside courtyard. It was empty at this time of day. Perhaps he had been given a task at the theater.
But when she went over to Drury Lane, Tom wasn’t there either. This was unusual and began to concern her. It was true that he had no part