Rebel Magisters (Rebel Mechanics #2)(69)

Echoing my thoughts, Mrs. Talbot said, “I think we could all do with a cup of tea right now. I’ll have some brought up to the parlor.”

“Thank you,” I said. I managed to herd Olive, who still clung to me, and Rollo into the family parlor. Shock seemed to have settled in on Rollo. He was stunned silent, none of his usual spirit in evidence. Olive wasn’t sobbing quite so hard anymore, but she refused to let go of me. I had a feeling I’d be sleeping in her room that night—that was, if the governor didn’t send for the children right away. He’d always wanted guardianship of them, and I doubted Henry would get them back, regardless of how this came out.

“He isn’t in serious trouble, is he?” Rollo asked at last.

I couldn’t answer that honestly and sound at all reassuring. The problem was that Henry was guilty of so very many things. “I don’t know what the charges are or what evidence they have against him,” I said, which was true enough. Which treasonous act had led to his arrest?

Flora swept into the room. “I sent a message to Grandfather, and I waited for a reply, but I got none. He may not be at his office.” She sank onto a chair. “It’s an outrage when someone from such a high-ranking family can be hauled out of his home, just like that. Did they even have a warrant? Henry should have asked for specifics of the charges rather than going meekly along with them.”

I turned to stare at her. “My, you have been doing your reading.”

“Of course I have. The fact that I don’t like talking about boring things doesn’t mean I don’t know anything.”

One of the footmen entered with a tea tray, Mrs. Talbot in his wake. “Mr. Chastain has reached Lord Henry’s attorney, and he’s looking into the situation,” she reported. “I think in the meantime we should go about business as usual, as though Lord Henry is merely away on a trip. I’m sure arrangements for the guardianship of the children will be made, and we can adjust accordingly once we have those details. For tonight, we’ll serve dinner at the usual time.”

The sweet tea and cakes were wonderfully restorative. I was still shaken and afraid, but I was developing a mental plan. I knew I needed to stay at home the rest of the evening, but I could attempt to make contact with some members of my network the next day and see if anyone knew where Henry was.

It was encouraging that the police hadn’t even tried to search the house when they arrested Henry. That suggested to me that the arrest didn’t have anything to do with the stolen letter and might just be about Henry’s talk of revolution. That still wasn’t good for Henry, but I thought it would go better for him if all they could convict him of was talk. He was doomed if the authorities knew about the banditry. I might be in danger, as well, if they learned about the letter and how its contents had become public. I took some comfort in the fact that I’d been right there and the policemen had paid me no notice. If they were going to arrest me, surely they’d have done so at that time.

All of us whirled when Mr. Chastain appeared in the doorway. “Miss Newton, there is someone who wishes to speak with you privately,” he said, then hurried to add when he must have noticed the dismay on my face, “It is a friend of Lord Henry’s.”

I put down my teacup and told Olive, “I’ll be back in just a moment.” I knew how dire the situation was for the children when Rollo moved to sit by his little sister so she could cling to him in my absence.

I found Geoffrey waiting in the downstairs parlor. “I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position by asking to meet with you alone,” he said. “But I didn’t think you’d want to discuss this in front of the children. Someone passing by saw Henry being hauled out of the house by police. What happened?”

“He was arrested for conspiracy to commit treason. I’m assuming they don’t know much if you’re still free.”

“They didn’t get you, either. I wonder what they know, or how they know it. Obviously, there’s a traitor in our midst. Whoever it is, we’ll find him and deal with him.” His eyes were hard and his jaw set.

“I don’t know that it will help. The damage has been done.”

“It will keep the traitor from reporting on more of us. And I’d feel a lot better. Do you have a way to get word to the Mechanics?”

“I’m fairly certain they’ll know soon enough, if they don’t already. They may be the ones giving me information.”

“Can you keep me posted? As well as you’re able. Though I don’t know how you’ll manage that. There’s not a good reason for a governess to send me messages.”

“I may be able to persuade Flora to call on your sister.”

“That might suffice. Otherwise, I believe I’m considered a close enough friend that it wouldn’t seem amiss for me to check on Henry’s family.”

“The rest of you must be careful now until you know who the traitor is.”

I went back upstairs, feeling somewhat better. At least Henry’s magister friends would be sure to get the warning. Just outside the parlor, I noticed a bit of blue on the floor. I bent to find a key on a blue ribbon. Henry must have managed to drop it as he was being hauled away so the symbol would remain a secret. I picked it up and put it in my pocket, vowing to myself that I’d find a way to give it back to him.