it required a significant amount of Annabelle’s assistance. Would she refuse, considering how upset she must be as well as the fact that he couldn’t explain the reason for any of this?
“I hope the day finds you well.” The chilliness in her expression caused his heart to ache. The distant mask wasn’t what he wanted. Not after he’d seen so much more in her eyes only a few days ago. Had he lost her affection and trust forever?
Though he longed to draw her into his arms and tell her all would be well, that he hadn’t meant what he’d said, he couldn’t. Not yet. Not until he knew she would be safe, along with everyone else for whom they cared.
“I confess that I’ve had better days.” He reprimanded himself for hinting at his inner turmoil. “I’ve come to ask a favor.”
“Oh?” Her eyes became even cooler if that were possible.
How could he bridge the distance between them without telling her everything? He already knew the answer—he couldn’t. Not until all this was over and Sir Alexander had been stopped.
“Would it be possible for you to write a different sort of chapter for your serial that’s published in the broadsheet?”
“Different?” Her brow furrowed. “How so?”
He explained what he wanted but not the reason behind it.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “That doesn’t fit with the story that has unfolded thus far. My readers will be confused. What do you hope to achieve if I were to do this?”
“Annabelle,” he moved closer, longing to touch her, his gaze holding hers. “I know I ask much, but I need you to trust me.”
She hesitated for so long that he worried she wouldn’t agree. “You’re asking much, considering you couldn’t be bothered to honor our contract.”
He flinched at her words, the hurt in her tone and expression causing his chest to ache even more. He hated that he’d caused her such pain. Reminding himself this was for her safety and their future, he said, “I’m sorry for that. More sorry than you can possibly understand. Please know that I think you are a brilliant, talented writer.”
“But you’re not interested in publishing my books.”
He swallowed hard against the temptation to tell her the truth. But what if his plan failed? “Not today.” Did she understand what he was trying to tell her?
“Humph.” She clenched her hands then at last nodded. “Very well. I believe I could put something together.”
“Perfect.” His chest loosened at her agreement. The road ahead was difficult, but he refused to give up. Not when hope still burned bright within him. “We don’t have much time. The story would need to appear in the coming morning’s edition.”
Her eyes widened. “I will do what I can, but I don’t think the editor could print it so quickly.”
“I’ll take care of contacting him. Just send the story to him as you normally do.”
“All right.” She bit her lip as if something else was on her mind. “I don’t know if this helps with whatever it is you’re doing, but I asked my father a few questions about Sir Alexander Bolton.”
“What did he say?” Thomas shouldn’t have been surprised by her forethought but he was. The woman never ceased to amaze him.
“They competed for a shipping contract years ago. One that would aid England’s war efforts. He made it sound as if they had quite the rivalry.”
“But your father won and was awarded a knighthood for his efforts.”
“How did you know?”
“Hopefully, I will be able to tell you soon. If you can work anything else you discovered into the story, that would be even better. For now, I must go.” Unable to resist, he reached out to gently touch her cheek, wishing he could do so much more. “I’ll be in touch on the morrow.”
“Thomas?”
He met her gaze, hoping she wouldn’t ask questions he couldn’t answer.
“Take care.” The coolness in her eyes had been replaced with worry.
That made two of them, for he was worried as well.
“I will.” He nodded and left, his heart a little lighter even as he hoped that when he next called on her, their conversation would be quite different.
~*~
Thomas’s next stop was at a lending library, where he had arranged to meet the Earl of Aberland. He’d sent a discreet message to the lord, hoping he wasn’t making a terrible mistake by bringing him into his plan, but he knew he couldn’t do all of this alone. Having someone like Aberland involved could mean the difference between success and failure. Especially