She nodded. “My uncle is back at the manor house now. I’ve been invited to supper there this evening.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “Not that he gave me a choice to decline. I was commanded to attend.”
“No, my lady. You can’t go. We have strict orders from Mr. Croft to get you safely away. What time does he expect you there?”
“Seven o’clock.”
“Would you be willing to come with me now? You and your, er...companion.”
She nibbled her lip in thought. “Sergeant, he’ll know something is wrong if I don’t show up. You’ll lose the advantage of surprise.”
“It’s a risk I’ll have to take.”
“And let all of Mr. Croft’s hard work go to waste? These men will run off. Worse, they might battle it out with you. And what if there are ladies present at my uncle’s manor? It’s to be a dinner party. Innocent guests might get hurt. I think it’s wiser if you allow him to hold his party and see who joins him.”
“I can’t allow it.”
“Think about it, Sergeant Travers. I understand you wish to do as Mr. Croft asks. But who are you more afraid of? Him or the Prince Regent who will not be happy to learn that my uncle and his cohorts realized something was afoot and they all ran off?”
“Lady Genalynn, please.”
She sighed. “I’ll strike a bargain with you. If your men arrive before I must leave for my uncle’s dinner party, I will go with you. However, if they haven’t arrived by then, I will attend his party and behave as though nothing is amiss. I’m sure I’ll be home by midnight. Once I’m back, your men can move in under cover of darkness. The Dolphin’s crew will have finished their work and most will be in the local taverns. They’ll be easier to round up.”
“I see you’ve give this thought.”
She nodded. “This will also give your men time to scout the manor house, determine how many men are there and where they are positioned. Once most of The Dolphin’s crew is rounded up, it will not be difficult to board it and take the remaining few into custody. I’ll draw you a layout of the manor house and grounds to show your men. Knowing the exact location of each room and where each person is likely to be will be helpful, don’t you think?”
He laughed. “Yes, quite helpful. And what of your man? Will he go with you to your uncle’s?”
“Yes, he goes everywhere with me. I will own that he can be terrifying to those he does not like. I have no idea what my uncle would have done with me before this if not for Throck’s constant vigilance. Do what you must to take my uncle and his men into custody once I’m safely home again. Don’t worry about me beyond this. Throck will protect me.”
She spent the next hour drawing maps for the sergeant and answering his questions about the caves and general terrain surrounding Clovelly. He asked more questions about her uncle and the men in his employ. She answered them as best as she could.
“You’ve been more than helpful, my lady,” the sergeant said, scrambling to his feet as Throck returned to the house and stood like a silent shadow in the room. “I’ll take my leave now. I pray my men will reach me before seven o’clock this evening. But if they don’t, rest assured we will be watching your uncle and awaiting your return here before we move in on him.”
She turned to Throck with a frown once Sergeant Travers had left. “You mustn’t do that. I’m sure you’re having your bit of fun scaring him. But he’s on our side. He’s our friend.”
“He’s not my friend.” He turned and stalked out again.
Genalynn sighed. “Just get me through Uncle Randall’s dinner party,” she muttered to herself, wanting this day to end.
Since the sergeant had not returned for her by early evening, she washed and dressed in one of her finer gowns, an ivory silk with a crimson pelisse and waited for her uncle’s man to escort her to the manor house. “Not you,” he was foolish enough to say to Throck, holding out an arm to warn him back.
Throck grabbed his arm and was about to snap it off the bone, but Genalynn hurried between them. “No!” Once certain Throck would not snap it anyway, she turned to her uncle’s lackey. “I don’t go anywhere without him.