Page 79
Baines regarded her for a long moment. “You remember an inconvenient amount, Miss Finch.”
“I have been telling you that since you arrived.” She smiled. “I propose you use his people, sir.”
“How?”
“Have Colonel Renforth arrange some movement which appears military but means nothing.”
Baines’ expression sharpened with interest.
Judith continued, thinking aloud now. “A small detachment could change quarters, perhaps, or a courier be expected at a particular inn. It must be something which sounds connected to the unrest but is actually a routine movement. Then we tell different versions to different suspects—”
“And watch which version returns through the papers,” he concluded.
He paced the stone flags once more, but now energy had entered his movements. “Renforth has a troop moving through Newcastle within the week.”
Judith swung her gaze to his. “Does he, now?”
“Possibly.”
“Baines!”
He laughed. “There is a small detachment which could be useful to us without interfering with their actual orders. We need not change where they go, only what Blackthorn believes they are going to do.”
Judith considered it. “We could tell Lord Cranford they are bound for Glasgow…”
“Sir George that they will march north from Newcastle…”
“…And Mr. Pembroke that they are being sent west towards Carlisle?”
Baines shook his head. “Pembroke is nearly off my list.”
“Nearly is not entirely,” she pointed out unnecessarily.
“No, but I would rather use our strongest suspicions first.”
“Do you mean Sir George?”
“Certainly.”
“Lord Cranford?”
“Yes.”
“Lady Beckenham?”
Baines hesitated.
“Do you trust her?”
“I trust her judgement more than I trust most people’s, which is not the same thing.”
“She warned you not to mistake reform for treason.”
His eyes flickered. “How do you know about that?”
“I overheard part of your conversation.”
He stared at her.
