The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen

Author:Nancy Campbell Allen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Published: 2017-06-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Pierre straightened Anthony’s cravat with a nod of satisfaction. “C’est magnifique.”

Anthony rotated his head to one side and the other, bumping up against the stiff points of his collar and causing Pierre to emit sounds of distress. “I am wound up like a spring, Pierre. I do not wish to smile and talk and laugh and serve young ladies punch from the refreshment table.”

“What do you want to do, then? There was a time when you would have given anything for such to be the entirety of your tasks.”

What do I want to do? He knew very well the answer to that question. He also knew he couldn’t do it. A knock on the door saved him from a perfunctory response and Pierre’s all-knowing, all-seeing eye. “Likely Himmat, informing us that the carriages are ready.”

Pierre shot him a glance that suggested he recognized Anthony’s prevarication for what it was, but answered the door. “Major Stuart?”

Anthony turned to see Dylan at the door, his face like a thundercloud. “What is it?”

Dylan entered and thrust a piece of paper at him.

Leave the boy alone.

Anthony looked up. “When did you receive this?”

“I did not receive it. Sophia did. With this.” In his other hand, Dylan held a box containing a small wooden horse that had been severed in two.

An angry heat started deep in Anthony’s gut and rose until he felt he would choke on it. “When?”

Dylan paced back to the door. “Just now. It was packaged and in her room waiting for her. She told Rachael, who found me.” He paused. “Anthony, I do not like her or Rachael remaining in the dark any longer. Forewarned is forearmed, and they may need to defend themselves. They must be vigilant. I do not mean to force your hand, but that”—he pointed at the broken toy and letter—“is a thinly veiled threat. Sophia is beside herself over how Charlie will react to the destruction of his favorite toy, but you and I both know that this will be the least of her problems if she continues to interfere. Not to mention the fact that there is much more to this mess than one missing sea captain. Whoever is behind this has much to lose.”

Anthony exhaled. “What Sophia knows, I would not ask her to keep from Rachael. I hope you’re prepared for questions.”

“Questions are fine.” Dylan opened the door. “Wondering how they’ll respond when I tell them I think they should go back to England immediately has me worried.”

The door closed behind Dylan, and Anthony’s heart sank at the thought of Sophia leaving India. The present danger to her would likely dissipate if she left, would it not? The person who wanted her to stop seeking answers from Charlie was presumably the same person who killed Miller and stole the Janus Document. If Sophia were no longer in India, the person who threatened her would have no further reason to continue.

It was a sound plan, and he resigned himself to the notion that she needed to go home, and likely Rachael, as well.

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