The office was dimly lit and the figure seated at the desk certainly did not look evil. In fact, he was very ordinary in looks and manner but that only concealed a very agile intelligence, an overwhelming ambition, and lust for power. Mr. Warburton was not a person to be fooled with and the man standing before the desk was acutely aware of this.

Warburton sat there and reread an article in the London Times, then grunted. "So, the Earl of Daventry has had to flee the country to escape the duns!" He almost purred with venom. "That means the young lordling, David, is even less in a position to refuse anything we ask of him now since he hasn't a feather to fly with!"

The man standing in front of the desk blanched and stepped back a bit at the sheer maliciousness of Warburton's words. His feet were getting decidedly colder since the return of the sapphire to His Majesty. He had also had to face the fact that his wife had been much more than indiscreet with Sir Paul Tilbury, and now he had to wonder if his son and heir, Ronnie, was truly his son. Lord Brookfield was beginning to wish that he had not listened to his wife's whispered words, a siren spell, about untold wealth and power and that he had never agreed to join the Guardians. And, another thought niggled at him too, who had murdered Sir Paul? It seemed that "The Guardians" were not averse to disposing of their allies when said allies had outlived their usefulness.

Warburton stared at Lord Brookfield and the Lord could almost feel the man trying to read his mind, to see the traitorous thoughts therein. Lord Brookfield was not a particularly astute man, but he was certainly aware of the man's cunning, avarice, and overweening desire to becomes the most powerful man in England - not only England, but perhaps, the world?

Warburton gave a peculiarly nasty smile and said, "Things are moving quite rapidly. I want you to take your family to Whitby, up in Yorkshire, for a holiday! Surely Ronnie would benefit from some sea air, and you will be in position to help the General and the rest of us. I believe a lot of our enemies will be converging on Seaforth Manor, the new home of your former governess! We need someone there on the spot, as it were, to keep an eye on things. Perhaps Ronnie would like to visit his dear Miss Tilbury and see all the horses!" Again, Lord Brookfield could hear the overtones of spite and rancor in the man's voice. "Yes, we have to make sure that Lady Seaforth gets what she deserves! She cannot be allowed to profit from what she did to my plans!"

Lord Brookfield nodded in silent agreement, and turned slowly and walked out of the door. Warburton sat back and began rearranging papers on his desk while thinking about the newly departed Lord and wondering if it was about time to dispense with his services. There were so many possibilities at the seaside of fatal accidents.

Anne was sitting at the round table in the breakfast parlor, absently stroking Bastet whose eyes were fastened on the kippers on Anne's plate. Anne herself was staring out the window, noting that the mares and foals had been turned out into the fields and that the sun was shining very brightly. It was a beautiful day, the breeze held a hint of a salty tang from the sea a few miles away. She sighed, looked at her plate, and just managed to rescue the kippers from Bastet. Bastet gave an indignant "Meowrrrrrr!" and jumped down, stalking out of the room, tail held high, to find Boadicea so they could nap in the sun.

Flora, seated next to her, was poking at her buttered eggs and frowning. Anne looked at her and noticed her pallor, her weight loss and the air of unhappiness that surrounded the girl like an aura. As she opened her mouth to speak, the butler walked into the parlor with the day's post and newspapers.

"Thank you, Mudge! I hope the Master and Theo will be coming up from the stables soon!"

"They are washing up in the back scullery right now, my Lady. Mrs. Mudge is sending up fresh tea and newly baked scones for them."

Flora had picked up the London Times and was glancing at the front page. She cried out, "Jac... Captain Holt was right! The Earl of Daventry has had to flee the country to outrun his creditors!" She handed the paper to Anne as James and Theo walked in, bringing with them the faint smell of horses.

James leaned down and kissed Anne slowly and deliberately, and then walked to the sideboard to load up his plate with food. As Theo headed there too, Flora cried out to him about the news of Daventry's flight and Theo shook his head in sorrow. "I still remember how good they were to us when we were younger. I am just sorry that the Earl was such a gambler and brought the family to such a sorry pass!"

Flora whispered, almost to herself, "I wonder if David had to go with them," with such an unhappy look on her face. She may be filled with a desire for vengeance, Anne thought, but the girl had truly loved him and had been badly hurt. Anne mused to herself that young Lord Daventry deserved a worse fate for his doubledealing with Flora and his avarice and cruelty but she said nothing. In fact, she fell into a brown study and when James had taken the first edge off his hunger and looked up at her, he could see her thoughts were far away.

"What's the matter, Anne?"

"Oh, James! I just have a terrible feeling. I haven't heard from Rosemary at all. Surely she must have had one of the letters I wrote. I could understand one or two going astray but I wrote her twice a month, and they couldn't all have gotten lost. Somehow, I feel as though she needs me, but I have no idea where she is or how to reach her. She just can't have disappeared into thin air, although I suppose anything could happen in India!"

James nodded and said, "Well, I could ask Roly or August to check through the Foreign Office to see if they can get some news of Rosemary. When did you last hear from her? Where in India was she?"

Anne looked up eagerly and said, "The last news I had from her was that she had met an Army officer and was thinking of marrying him. That was several years ago! I should have tried harder to find out more about her and what was going on after Mama and Papa died, but Uncle Paul said he would take care of things for me. When he and Cecily told me that Rosemary had married, I was happy for her, and wrote, but never got a single answer to any of my letters."

James thought this over for a moment, and then asked, "Did you take your letters to the shipping offices yourself?"

"Why no. I always gave them to Uncle Paul to send off for me."

"Well, knowing your Uncle and Cecily... I wonder if they were ever sent at all! Hm, you said she had met an Army officer. Do you remember his name? Our friend, Jacob, could find out his whereabouts too."

"I believe his name was Robert Carlyle. Could you send off messengers to Roly, August, and Jacob? I just have this terrible feeling that something awful will happen to Rosemary if I can't find her and help her."

"I'll send messages off within the hour, my love. I am sure that with all of them helping, we will be able to find your sister and make sure she is safe and well. You do know that eventually we will have to go back to London? The King has legitimized Theo, but I still have the burden of finding the ruby, the emerald, and the diamond. Of course, I have Roly, August, Diccon, and Jacob helping, but all the threads are so tangled. We know about Warburton, Cecily, David, Mrs. Andrews, and the General, whoever he might be, but right now, I haven't any tangible clues to work on."

"Diamond? Is there a diamond missing too?" Anne cried in despair. "Will we ever be able to be free of the Guardians?" I just want us to live in peace without worrying about what next will befall us!"

Just then, Mudge entered the parlor, trying to restrain a slim, very brown woman. "My Lord, this woman says she must see Lady Seaforth and right now!"

Primat rushed over to the table and said, in failing tones, "I have found you, at last, Miss Anne. Your sister needs you badly. Cicely means to do her great harm," and with those words, she fainted, causing Mudge to lose some of his butlerish dignity as he tried, in vain, to catch her.

"Primat!" Anne cried as the intruder fainted into a heap at the feet of the shaken butler. Anne's face was ashen as she rose unsteadily to her feet. "Is she hurt? Where's Rosemary?"

Flora knelt by the side of the fallen woman. "She doesn't seem to be hurt. Uncle James?"

James raised the body of the slight woman in his arms. "No, I believe she just fainted." Flora nodded and reached for the glass of water proffered by her brother. As she did so, her gaze rested on the man that had entered the room unseen by all.

"Jacob!" Flora was overcome with mortification as she realized she had called him by his first name. And with an audience! She averted her gaze and did not see the flush that rose to the cheeks of Captain Holt.

With an effort, Holt tore his gaze from Flora and perceived the woman lying on the floor. "The devil... ! What happened?"

His feet entangled in the outlandish garments worn by the woman that had fainted, Mudge struggled to attain the proper tone of polite disinterest in the affairs of his employer appropriate to a butler. "Captain Jacob Holt. He insists upon seeing Lady Seaforth immediately."

Every head in the room turned toward Anne as she gaped at the tableaux in front of her. With an effort, Anne collected herself. She dropped to her knees and took Primat's hand, gently chafing it. "Hello, Primat," she whispered. "I am glad to see you."

Looking down at the woman he still supported in his arms, James saw that her eyes were open and eagerly scanning the faces in the room. Her eyes met his for a brief instant, then turned back to Anne.

"Miss Anne, I must tell you. Alone."

James' eyebrows rose at the authorative tone in Primat's voice. He opened his mouth to question her, but the look on his wife's face stopped him. "Out," he said curtly to the others as he assisted Primat to a chair. Glancing once more at his wife's intent face, James exited the room in the wake of the others. As he closed the doors, he saw Primat staring at him with an expression he found hard to interpret.

"Uncle." Flora laid a hand on his arm. "Who is she? Where is she from?"

"Mmm. India, I would say." His gaze fixed on the closed door, James continued absently, "What I want to know is, how did she get here?"

"I brought her." Holt responded.

James spun around. "You brought her? From where? How?"

Holt shrugged. "My men have been watching your house. When she... um... her..." Holt broke off in confusion for a moment before firmly continuing, "when Miss Primat appeared on your doorstep, she appeared unusual enough to warrant some inquiry." He hesitated. "She wouldn't tell me much, but insisted that she had to see Miss Tilbury... Lady Seaforth. So I escorted her here."

"Wait a moment... watching Seaforth House?" Theo questioned.

"Of course, the house is being watched!" Flora broke in impatiently. "How else will Captain Holt know when the Guardians come after Uncle James? The important thing is... "

"Really, Flora," interrupted James, slightly startled, "I think that is the important thing."

"One of the most important things," interposed Holt gravely.

"Thank you, Jacob." James bowed grandly to the captain. Grinning, Holt returned the salute with a flourish.

The door to the breakfast parlor opened and Anne and Primat stood in the doorway. James was relieved to see that some of the strain had left Anne's face. "Theo," she ordered crisply, "order the coach. I want to leave in an hour. Find Dickens and send her to me."

As she escorted Primat toward the stairway, her gaze lightened on Holt. "Oh, Jacob! You must have some breakfast before we leave. Flora, would you...?" Her voice faded as she disappeared around the bend in the stairway.

Holt turned toward James, blandly asking, "And we are going... where?"

"I'll... ah... find out." James disappeared after his wife. With a grin and a shrug, Theo left the hall calling after his uncle, "Don't forget to tell me where."

Flora broke the awkward silence, "Would you... would you like some breakfast?"

"Thank you," Holt said and followed her into the breakfast parlor. He thought for a moment of saying something about the pleasure of seeing her... or was she doing well or... He glanced up and felt his face redden as he wondered if she thought he'd been ignoring her.

In a studiedly casual voice, Flora asked, "And when they were watching the house, did they see anyone... anyone else, I mean?"

Holt's face grew bleak. "You mean Daventry? No."

Wincing at his harsh tone, Flora blindly picked up her cup and gulped down a swallow of coffee. 'What a fool he must think me!' She swallowed around the lump in her throat. "So... so... why did you come here?"

"Because she knows something about Cicely Tilbury. Something she wouldn't tell me. But she will tell Anne."

"And then?"

"And then we find her."

"That's the plan?" Flora demanded, astonished.

Holt shrugged. "That's it."

Rosemary Carlyle stood in the entrance to the inn, idly wondering if she had lost her mind. For she remained here in the company of a relative stranger rather than seeking her sister. Of course, she reminded herself, she had been ill and Dr. Erskyn did tell her not to attempt to travel yet. It made perfect sense to abide by a doctor's orders. Even if one sometimes wondered about the doctor. Not because he was handsome, of course. Robert had been handsome, in a different way. Robert had curly brown hair and merry blue eyes. Or they had been merry before... Rosemary hastily averted her thoughts from Robert. Dr. Erskyn's green eyes weren't merry. But he had a firm chin, Rosemary told herself. He didn't smile much. He had smiled at Tibby, though, a smile of exceptional sweetness.

Rosemary started as a hand touched her elbow. "Why, Tibby, how you startled me."

"Thinkin' ahbout a walk, Mrs. C.? Best take this wie ye," Tibby thrust a cloak at Rosemary. Rosemary hesitated. "Master says ye should be oop and ahbout."

"Thank you." Rosemary snatched the cloak from Tibby. "A walk should be delightful." She flung the cloak around her shoulders and marched off. Of course, Dr. Eryskn would be happy if she was 'up and about.' Fuming, Rosemary fumbled with the cloak's fastenings. How on earth was this thing supposed to stay on? Startled, she took a closer look at the garment. "Oh dear," she muttered aloud, "this isn't mine. Where did she get this?"

"From me, I believe," drawled a voice behind her. Rosemary turned to the doctor and summoned up a wan smile. He was looking somewhat grim, but his expression lightened as he looked at her. "Mrs. Carlyle, you look much better. You appear a different woman!"

She laughed involuntarily. "Was I so dreadful before?"

"Of course not." He appeared startled at the question. "I merely meant first, that you appear to be much recovered. And second, that you do not appear to be incessantly shivering!"

"Ugh! I thought it would never stop raining." She lifted her face to the watery sunshine. "This is much nicer. Oh! I'm wearing your cloak. Would you..."

Alister stopped her as she began taking the cloak off. "No, no. Wear it." He reached out to fasten the cloak, noting how absurdly small she seemed, covered by his cloak

"Dr. Erskyn, look! There is a coach stopping here. Do you think it might be your friends?"

"Perhaps." They turned back into the yard and watched the coach approaching. As an elegantly dressed female descended, followed by a maid, Alister sighed He had hoped it would be Alex with some information about Mrs. Carlyle's damnably elusive sister. But it would appear that a total stranger had arrived. Together, he and Mrs. Carlyle entered the inn in silence.

"I am trying to find Mrs. Carlyle." The female's voice rang out imperiously. Alister felt Mrs. Carlyle stiffen beside him.

"Cicely?"

The woman turned sharply. Alister saw the angry look on her face before it disappeared and her face was wreathed in smiles. "Rosemary! Is it you? Whatever did you mean by leaving London? I have been so anxious! Whyever didn't you come to me? Or write?" Her glance flashed to Alister. "Oh, your pardon, sir! I forget my manners." She glanced inquiringly at Rosemary.

Alister stood stiffly while introductions were performed. The landlord bustled toward Miss Tilbury and offered to escort her to a chamber. He bowed politely as Miss Tilbury excused herself to "remove her travel stains" and implored him to wait below so that she could join him and "dear Rosemary" for a glass of refreshment.

Restraining himself until the landlord and Miss Tilbury were out of sight, Alister turned to Mrs. Carlyle. "What kind of trick are you trying to play on me?" He thundered. "You said you had no one in England except your sister!" Rosemary fell back before the fury in his gaze. "Why did you come?"

He was so angry, he had to clenched his hands to keep from shaking her. He wanted to shake her until she told him the truth about why she had invaded his home with that silly excuse for a story. If Alex and the others hadn't been there when she arrived, he would have had her forcibly removed. Instead he had let the others override his better judgment and joined them on their adventure. He should never have left Midculter. That, at least, was one problem he could remedy.

Surprised by his attack, Rosemary stood speechless before him. As she opened her mouth to reply, Alistair continued, "No! Don't waste your breath on more lies. I don't want to hear them. Your kind are all the same. " He took a deep breath, unclenched his hands and stamped down his anger. "Your health has passed the crises stage and you are on your way to a full recovery. Now that Miss Tillbury has arrived, she can undertake to continue your care, I will leave the necessary instructions with her."

Before she could utter a word, he bowed briefly and left. Rosemary stood for several seconds with her mouth open in surprise before anger flowed through her. "How dare he think she lied to him. And what did he mean by 'her kind'?" she muttered. She had half a mind to stomp off after him and give him a piece of her mind.

"I see you are wasting no time in putting your 'affairs' in order, Cousin." Startled, Rosemary swung around to see Cecily standing at the bottom of the stairs. She strolled into the private parlor and seated herself in the best chair leaving Rosemary the lumpy couch.

"I ordered tea for us, it should arrive shortly."

"What are you doing here, Cecily?"

"I think that should be my question. I thought you were coming to me when you arrived in England. Instead, I heard you had arrived, but had left on some wild goose chase. England can be an extremely dangerous place, especially for a lone female."

Cecily broke off as the landlord bustled in with the tea and cakes. "Do you still like your tea with three spoons of sugar and lots of cream? Good! I thought I remembered correctly." As she prepared the tea, she surreptitiously twisted the ring on her finger and tipped a small amount of white powder into Rosemary's tea. "Here is your tea, just the way you like it." Cecily continued, "I was very worried about you. As I suspected, I was right to be concerned. I arrive at this Inn and find you cozily ensconced with a gentleman who at best has the reputation as a rake and at worst is a known traitor to his country."

"Dr. Alistair, a traitor? But he stayed to nurse me when I was ill. I heard he was a rake, but° a traitor?" Rosemary sat holding her cup too shocked to drink.

Cecily took a small sip of tea to hide her smile of satisfaction. Now that she had found Rosemary, things were looking up. She had set out immediately upon receipt of the General's note indicating where she would find her misplaced package. It was an unexpected stroke of luck that Rosemary was with Dr. Erskyn. The Archfiend Alistair... He was an extremely handsome man, and she had noticed the look in his eyes when he looked at Rosemary. It always added spice to a conquest knowing she was cutting someone else out; and Rosemary deserved a little disillusionment for all the extra work she had put her through. But the General had given specific directions regarding Dr. Erskyn and she knew better than to countermand those directions. As much as she would like to pursue an association with the handsome doctor, now wasn't the time; but who knows what opportunities the future would hold?

"Yes, a traitor. He was cashiered for assisting the Scots during Culloden." Cecily took another sip of tea and schooled her expression to one of concern. "Rosemary, you haven't touched your tea. Drink it, it will help lessen the shock." Dazed, Rosemary obediently drank her tea, and set her cup on the table. "If he hadn't had friends in high places, he would have been sentenced to death."

Rosemary knew there was something she should remember about Cecily, something her sister Anne had mentioned, she could almost grasp the memory, but it kept eluding her. It was becoming harder to think as Cecily's voiced droned on and on.

"It is a good thing I arrived when I did. Your reputation would be in shreds if it ever became known you spent time alone with Archfiend Alistair. How did you plan to pay him for his care during your illness? Are you sure it is money he wants as payment?"

"We, we hadn't discussed payment. I was ill when we arrived and, and° I'm sorry°" Rosemary raised a hand to her brow, she was so tired. "I'm sorry, I must not be as well as I thought. I need to lie down." Rosemary stood and stumbled as the room started to spin. Solicitous, Cecily was suddenly at her side.

"I'm sorry Rosemary, you have recently been ill and are not fully recovered. I should have sent you immediately up to bed. Why don't you just lie back here on the couch, I will make sure no one disturbs you."

Looking up at Cecily's smug expression, Rosemary suddenly remembered Anne telling her about Cecily's knowledge of potions and poisons. Anne had indicated it was almost an obsession of Cecily's and that she should be careful when near her. Rosemary's eyes widened as her thoughts lead her to the obvious conclusion.

"What have you given me? Why are you doing this?" Rosemary reached clutching fingers towards Cecily's face before oblivion claimed her.

Cecily ordered her carriage brought around, had Rosemary bundled onto one of the seats and set off towards London.

Alistair Erskyn, returning from a long walk where he cooled his temper, stopped and contemplated the carriage as it rolled down the country road.

Inside the carriage, Cecily smiled a cat-like smile. The General will be pleased. Settling into the corner, Cecily contemplated the delights that awaited her when she personally delivered her misplaced package.

In the backroom of a small country tavern several miles from the Fife and Drum, two men waited for the arrival of a third. They were seated on opposite sides of a rectangular table. One was a young, handsome man with golden brown hair, who would be noticeable in any crowd. The other possessed the type of non-descript features that allowed him to blend in with his surroundings.

A tall, thin man entered the room so silently it was several seconds before the other two noticed he had arrived. He strode to the head of the table and proceeded to address them.

"What do you have to report?" He nodded at the non-descript man.

"I have been tracing the route of the emerald. "

"Continue."

"I traced it to a woman in a Scotland, who had received it from her lover who was an Englishman."

"Well..."

"She died during childbirth and the emerald hasn't been seen since."

"Did anyone attend this birth? Did you search everywhere? Question everyone?"

"Yes. It appears that Dr. Alistair Erskyn was her attendant."

Silence greeted this pronouncement. As both men watched, a smile curved the General's lips. That smile made their blood run cold.

"Daventry."

"Yes, General."

"Dr. Erskyn is currently at the Fife and Drum. You know what to do."

"Yes."

"Take this with you." The General reached into his pocket and withdrew a snuffbox. Cecily has provided me with one of her little specialities. The snuff in this box contains a powerful sleeping draught. If all else fails, use this. But do NOT fail me this time."

"Yes, General."

"You are dismissed." The General waited until Daventry left the room before addressing the remaining member. "Follow him. Watch and make sure he does not fail. Too much time has been spent setting the scene. I want Alistair Erskyn before the next full moon, three days from now." The man nodded and slipped from the room.

The General sat back in his chair and pulled a crystal bottle from his pocket. He held it up to the candlelight and it glowed a deep rich amethyst. "All my plans are falling into place. Dr. Alistair Erskyn, you will be the perfect scapegoat." Smiling, he pocketed the bottle and left by the back door.