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I’d wondered how she fared. She did not like to part with me for long. I would check on her as soon as I’d finished breakfast. But I had to inquire. “How did you know me to be Audlington’s widow?” While he was easily recognizable, his status was far above mine.

“I remembered you.” He smiled. “Not to sound puffed but I don’t forget a face. Never have.”

“An admirable ability, to be sure.”

He laughed. “Sherborne told me, not that I needed him to do so. He knows we cannot have secrets between us, even of the smallest consequence. There have oft been mistakes made on the hinge of information considered inconsequential.”

“I suppose one cannot be too careful.”

“Anything regarding Banbury’s activities—certainly not.”

“You knew my husband?”

He bowed. “I was the one to arrange for your excursion to Scotland.”

Suddenly, the tea in my stomach soured. This man knew much. Too much. Was Sherborne certain he could be trusted?

“You were helping him?”

Oberton continued. “I tried to help him—I was too late. They struck sooner than I thought they would.”

He knew the danger. Had been involved. “Why would Patrick want to participate in something so dangerous?” A question that nibbled at the back of my mind like an unwanted rat.

My husband was dead and gone, I loved another.

But still…Since seeing Mr. Straight, I had not been able to put my mind from it.

Tobias reached over and took my hand. “We don’t have to talk about this.”

“No, it's all right. I assure you.”

Lord Oberton conceded. “It wasn’t a dangerous job.

Not at first. It was never supposed to be so.

Just a little informing to the Crown. Simple work.

Nothing that would put him in so deep.” Lord Oberton shrugged.

“But a situation took a turn. Debts were called, demanded. We didn’t know at the time just how far Banbury’s coils had reached until the python squeezed. That’s when I rushed to relocate him.”

I grimaced at the thought of the massive serpent, both intelligent and evil.

“I wasn’t swift enough. He insisted on one last job and tragically was betrayed by one of our own.”

I thought of Mr. Straight’s final words. He’d seen the list of names and knew from there, who had betrayed him. Would my Patrick have guessed as well? He’d not had the chance. And now both men were dead.

Tobias sat back in his chair. “Will you tell us who is the turncoat?”

“It is considered heresy until I can prove it. As it is, I am the only witness. Or was.” He shrugged.

He was there? Tobias tossed his napkin to the table. “ You were a witness?”

Lord Oberton ignored his query. “Bennington. Our turncoat is Lord Bennington. Besides his estate, he owns all of the land, including the village. So…”

I recognized the name, but from where? He allowed us to piece the rest together. Tobias gave me a significant look before stating what he figured. “Bennington’s estate is on the other side of the village, mere miles from Burtins. Wait, are you saying that Bennington betrayed both Patricks?”

“Exactly so.” A clock chimed nine o’clock in the morning. “I imagine he is enjoying quite an engaging meeting with Colonel Humes about now. “Thanks to you, Chinworth, the Crown has the man they’ve been hunting for. All we needed was for you to force the bugs from the woodwork, as it were.”

“I was used?” Tobias was none too happy. “In what way?”

Lord Oberton waved the butler to pour more coffee. “I see I’ve put you off, sir. Do calm yourself, it was not intentional. We did not know you would suddenly travel to Burtins. The situation merely became useful. We knew your presence there would set things in motion.”

“No one thought to tell me?”

“I wasn’t authorized until now.” “And we needed to see whose side you were on. What you would do…”

“What? Authorized by whom?”

“Now that is not for you to know.”

“You are telling me that Bennington used my estate as a holding place for the cache?”

He nodded. “He had your father’s approval, and that fact doesn’t bode well for him.”

Tobias sighed. “Man’s greed is dangerous.”

“Ever has it been.”

“Cecily and Tessa might have been caught in the cross hairs. Thank God they got out in time.”

“Joseph’s guards are worthy men. They performed their duty.

” He sipped his coffee and spoke in my direction.

“Bennington deceived your husband years ago. I had no proof except for what I saw. I’m sorry that it’s taken years to find him guilty.

Guilty of something else, but still. He is set to lose everything.

His estate—well, everything. He will go to prison. ”

Like Tobias’s father.

“When I was shown the list of names you took from your steward, Cummins, I knew in an instant.”

What had Mr. Straight said? He saw the list before he died—he knew who had deceived him. It was Bennington. His name wasn’t there. The omission had informed him before he’d taken his last breath.

The list of men who had been killed or had lived through an attempt sickened me. I spoke aloud. “Of what purpose was such a list…”

“Be enemy or friend, anyone who stands in the way of the forthcoming fortune was dispensable.”

“Ironic that my Uncle’s name should be listed.”

“Is it?” Lord Oberton had a strange look on his face.

Tobias’s eyes shuttered. “Tell me he wasn’t involved…”

“You think he knew?”

“He’s been sending us messages for the past two years.”

“Why did he not say?”

“Probably because he was sworn to secrecy on the value of his life if he revealed it to anyone, including you.”

“Because…”

“Remember, we didn’t know yet that you could be trusted.

Your brother Samuel intercepted a message and…

” the man took a bite of toast and chewed.

“I’m sorry, Chinworth. When we learned that Samuel had died accidentally, we were more than a little relieved.

He was a loose cannon. Tried to kill your uncle when he’d recognized his handwriting.

He thought he had killed him and we allowed him to believe so.

Your brother was shrewd; I’ll give you that.

We announced Mull’s death to the London papers to keep any further threat away, hoping that the center of this operation would give us time before he realized Mulls survived. ”

“But Bennington…”

“Yes, the fraud Bennington. Caught wind that your uncle survived from the rat Cummins. We expected it. Your housekeeper is a gem, however. She was able to keep the truth from him for a few months.”

“She kept his survival from my steward?”

“Wasn’t hard to do since the man was a drunkard who was too fond of your wine cellar.”

“Mrs. Fredrickson must be rewarded.”

The man’s eyes glinted with humor. “I agree. Understand that he was not an integral part. Just a good soul that wanted justice. He loves Burtins and its tenants. His job was a small one, but as Tessa knows, even small jobs, though important, can grow beyond our imaginings. Sometimes for the worse, as what happened with your husband.”

Tobias picked up his fork and scooted a piece of meat around his plate. “I hope he did not come under any crossfire at Burtins last night.”

Lord Oberton’s brows rose. “He did not vacate the premises? Did you not send him a message?”

“He refused to leave.” Tobias shrugged. “I couldn’t force him.”

Oberton stood. “Then let us hope for the best and celebrate that this particular situation is finally under control.”

Admiration for the man welled within me. So many questions had been answered.

“Anytime you’d like to join us, Chinworth, we could use a man like you.”

“This Chinworth has had enough of intrigues and seeks a different path.”

“Very well. Do inform the staff have you any needs.” He bowed. “Mrs. Audlington—er—Miss Smith. I wish you well.”

“I thank you—for everything. I have learned much this day.”

“I hope you can put the past to rest.”

“Yes.”

Lord Oberton exited the room.

Tobias and I turned to each other. There was so much said, I could scarcely take it in.

Tobias began. “I promise to continue to set things aright at Burtins, but for now, I believe we need to return to Mayfield. Since it seems we are finally safe. I’ve much to manage there.

” He stood. “I can’t believe the scoundrel was Bennington.

I’ve only met the man twice in my life. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised at my father’s connections.

I may not have been in his social circle, but Father and Samuel were—it is disgusting.

Perhaps that is why he had no conscience.

He would hurt anyone or anything in his way.

” Tobias sighed. “He may be the titled gent in charge of the cache’s movements, but he wasn’t the only guilty man.

There are too many to count, according to Lord Sherborne. ”

“Do you think your father was trying to help?” I didn’t know what to make of him.

“I can’t know for certain. He’s lied too many times.”

“But we can hope.”

“Yes, Tessa. We can always hope.”