Now that Seth made his plan known to all, doubts crept in. It seemed so simple, so easy when he thought of it but now, he could see the holes in his plan.
What if Elton suspects that she came with us willingly? Indeed, he must know that his wife is desperately unhappy at his side. What if he will not let Leo and Rose go unless I release his wife and daughter first?
He looked across the room to Winnifred, and the doubt was evident on her face.
“That sounds very risky,” Frances said with a tremble in her voice.
“I agree with the lady,” Markham announced himself from the back of the room. He looked around from one person to the other. “Your Grace, your plan relies on a lot of unknown factors. And while I agree that the Bow Street Runners have not exactly shown themselves from their best side, I will say that Mr. Weston’s plan is superior to yours by far.”
Seth looked down at the floor, suddenly embarrassed.
“I don’t think his plan sounds any more reckless than what Mr. Weston is proposing. Both of these plans carry with them a lot of risks. I propose the following. We will have Mr. Weston and Mr. Markham put together a confederacy of investigators from the Runners. I do not want Mr. Henderson there. I do not care if he is the one in charge or not. He bungled the last attempt. Once we get there, Seth will attempt to implement his plan. If it does not work, and Elton will not agree to let our siblings go without receiving his family in return first, then we will use Mr. Weston’s plan.”
She shrugged and turned her palms up as she glanced around the room. After some mumbling, the party agreed to Winnifred’s suggestion.
Thus, the plan was finalized, and by the end of it, Mr. Markham and Mr. Weston dashed off to the magistrate’s court to assemble the group of investigators that would attend the exchange.
In the end, even Victoria had to agree that it was a good plan.
The party dispersed with Victoria taking Pugsley for a walk while Frances and her daughter retired to the guest-chamber, their nerves stretched to the limit.
As evening fell, and the sun set, bathing London in an orange glow, Winnifred found herself restless.
She ventured downstairs and out into the garden, and when she stepped into the late evening air, she spotted the familiar figure sitting at the bottom of the steps.
“Seth.” He turned around, and it was evident from the expression on his face that he’d been lost in thought.
“Winnie. You look lovely this evening. Care to join me?”
She sat beside him as she smoothed her Pomona-green gown down carefully so as not to wrinkle it.
“I take it you are as restless as I am.”
He smirked. “You could say that. I fully intended to return to Lester House as I had planned, but as I passed the garden door, I was reminded of the many times Leo and I have played Pall Mall over yonder.” He pointed to the Pall Mall set in the far corner.
“Anxious?”
“Indeed,” he said. Winnifred looped her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder.
“I cannot wait until it is tomorrow evening. I do not know how to pass the hours. Will you stay here and keep me company?”
He looked down at her, and before he knew what he was doing, placed a kiss on her forehead.
“Of course, Winnifred. Tonight, more than ever, I need your company. And tomorrow, we will face off to Elton and rescue our families.”
“We will. We shall be united again, all of us together.” She kept her head on his shoulder, and together, the two sat and watched the sunset, bidding farewell to the last day they would have to pass without their siblings.
Chapter 33
The evening hour was chilly, and Winnifred wrapped her redingote closer around herself. She wished now she listened to Mary’s advice and brought a shawl, but it seemed unnecessary as she stood in the warmth of her drawing room.
It was almost midnight as she, Seth, Frances, and Helena stood on the gravel of the area known as the Ring in Hyde Park. In the daytime, this was the area where the aristocracy liked to take their carriages for riding. Leo often took Winnie there to circle his curricle around.
Usually, Winnie loved the area. It was preferable to the promenade walk her aunt often took Victoria on, for from atop the vehicle, she could see far and wide.
She’d never been here at night. A lady did not venture into the park after dark, and certainly never alone. Now that she saw it for the first time after dark, she had to admit Hyde Park lost its charm when one could not see the beautiful landscapes. It was eerie, almost frightening.
I wonder if Elton selected this area specifically to make us feel uncomfortable. Perhaps it is his intention to drive as much fear into us as he can to unbalance us. Well, that will not happen. Not when Leo and Rose are so very close.
