Page 14 of Eloping With The Princess
He met Somersby at the hidden door that led directly from the tunnels into a secret room in Parliament. They made their way to Sir Potterfield’s office, but were told to wait inside and he’d join them in a moment as he had stepped out briefly. Two other members of the Brotherhood, St. Giles and Reacher, also waited within.
They exchanged niceties but didn’t have to wait long before Potterfield entered through the door at the back of his office. “Follow me, if you would,” he said, holding the door open for them.
Jason stepped into a meeting room with the other men on his heels. Not ten minutes later, they were told that Lynford had arrived and was waiting in the outer office.
“I was not aware a reunion had been assembled,” Jason said.
“Lynford,” Potterfield said, his tone a mixture of relief and irritation. “What have you done to yourself?” Lynford’s arm was wrapped in a makeshift sling.
“Shot, sir. By Lord Thornton.”
Potterfield’s brows rose. “So he is not dead. As you had said.”
“It would seem not,” Lynford said. He turned to Jason. “Where is Isabel?”
“She is downstairs, in the tunnels, safe,” Jason said.
Lynford shook his head and swore. “The tunnels are not safe.”
Jason’s gut tightened and he swore. “What do you mean? Have the tunnels been compromised?”
“It would seem so,” Lynford said. “I discovered notes in Thornton’s belongings, including drawings of the tunnels.”
“How the devil did he get those?” Somersby asked.
“I have no idea,” Lynford said.
“It is unlikely he’s the only one who has them,” Somersby said.
Potterfield held up one hand. “Who is this Isabel? And precisely why are we suddenly protecting her?”
Lynford cleared his throat. “Until yesterday I was not certain who she was, but her aunt and I turned up evidence that indicates she is the lost princess of Saldania.”
Isabel? A lost princess? That certainly would explain why people would be after her, if they knew of her true identity.
Potterfield swore. It was unusual for him to speak without decorum. “Somersby, go and make certain Her Majesty is secured. Ellis and Lynford, you stay here. The rest of you find the princess. Do not allow that girl out of your sight.”
“If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d prefer to continue watching her myself,” Jason said.
“In a moment. For now, she’ll be safe with them,” Potterfield said. He motioned to the men standing. “Move, this new information has put our queen in immediate danger.”
Jason came to his feet. He didn’t want to stay and listen to Potterfield, he wanted to go and see to Isabel himself. Get her out of there and know she was protected, but he also knew that Potterfield would not have asked him to stay unless the information he had was crucial. “What is going on?” Jason asked.
Potterfield waited until the other men had left the room. “I think I know what all of this is about.” He paced the length of the room before settling into one of the chairs.
“All? Meaning what?” Jason asked.
“The assassination attempt. The lost princess. Everything being connected to Thornton. You mentioned this Isabel is Thornton’s niece?” Potterfield made a sweeping gesture with his hand.
“That is what she has always been told, and he paid for her schooling,” Lynford said. “Up until recently when an anonymous benefactor took over the payments.”
“They had hidden her here all along,” Potterfield said. He swiped his hand down his face. “When everyone assumed she’d been murdered with the rest of the royal family.”
“The heir to the Saldanian throne has claim to England’s throne as well?” Lynford asked.
Potterfield nodded.
“Yes, but Victoria has already been coronated. Would these fools expect her to abdicate the throne to hand it over to Isabel?” Jason asked. “That is, provided that their assassination attempts fail?”
