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Baines did not answer immediately. The hesitation was enough.
“Basil?”
His expression changed at the sound of his Christian name.
Judith had not intended to use it before the other gentlemen. She became aware of Manners looking very carefully towards the ceiling.
“What is it?” she asked.
Baines exchanged a glance with Renforth. “We have reason to believe that someone may know of your correspondence sent with Will Fletcher.”
Judith felt a chill. “How?”
“We do not yet know.”
“Has Mallory seen my letters?”
“He claims not.”
“Then why would he be instructed to observe me?”
“That is what we intend to discover.”
Judith looked across the room. The darkness beyond the windows seemed less than reassuring. Her correspondence had concerned the conditions of families living near Blackthorn, the price of grain, the hardships endured by labourers, and the growing desperation of men who had little expectation that anyone in authority would listen to them. She had never supplied military information. Nevertheless, she understood how easily an unscrupulous person might distort her intentions.
Sir Lionel came forward. “Judy, my dear, I have always known you simply wished to help the villagers.”
Renforth spoke gently. “Miss Finch, your correspondence does not make you a traitor, but it may make you vulnerable to someone who wishes to present it in that light.”
Baines moved beside her. “Judith, no one here believes you have done anything dishonourable.”
“I should hope not.”
“However, until we know who has been ordering Mallory, I would ask you to exercise caution.”
She turned towards him. “You knew someone had taken an interest in my correspondence, yet I have heard nothing of it until this moment.”
“We only confirmed it this evening.”
“Then why did you not tell me when you entered the room?”
“Because we were discussing Mallory.”
“An excellent reason to postpone telling me that I may be accused of treason.”
“Judith—”
She stepped away from him. “I believe I should return to the drawing room.”
Baines looked as though he wished to object.
Renforth intervened. “Miss Finch, I would ask only that you make no further arrangements concerning Mr. Fletcher until we understand the danger.”
“Very well,” she said.
Renforth inclined his head.
“I would like to be informed if anything further is discovered.”
