Author's Note: This took me much longer than it should have. Sorry! Real life beat me up a little last week. So I had to rush to get this done. I hope it doesn't show, but if it does, please bear with me! I'm so grateful for all of you reading this—it would be unbearably depressing to write in a vacuum. I'll try to be more prompt with the next chapter!

Chapter 25: Jane Gets Back on the Case

Breakfast was fried potatoes and rabbit, obviously not what Teresa was used to, but she smiled and thanked Maggie like it was the best meal she'd ever had. Jane couldn't resist draping an arm over the back of her chair to toy with the neat braid Maggie had done after she'd helped her dress; he delighted in the secret little smile Teresa gave him every time he did.

He let himself fantasize for a minute about pulling her up onto Midnight and riding hard for the border, buying first class rail tickets to Paris, and giving her the honeymoon she'd always dreamed of. But even there she wouldn't be safe from Red John. He'd taken Frederick from Paris, after all.

Romance would have to wait until he'd killed Red John.

But maybe it would be beneficial to let the duke believe he'd carried out the deal he'd made with Lorelei and had run off with the queen. What would his next step be? Forge an abdication document? Lobby parliament to declare him King?

Of course, convincing Teresa to hide, even temporarily, wouldn't be easy. And finding her a hiding place wouldn't be easy either. She couldn't stay here; the Skellings needed to go spend some of that money urgently, and questions would be asked about where it came from. Eventually the truth, or at least damning rumors, would get around despite their best efforts.

The duke's men knew where the woodcutter's cabin was, though they wouldn't have any evidence Teresa had been there. It might be safe, especially if Summer had managed to convince them Cho was only there as her lover. But it was known to the duke for sure.

Wylie's sister? No, a woman who openly declared herself a witch would be scrutinized by her village. Teresa would need a sanctuary everyone ignored. Could he find her a nunnery to hide out in? Minelli would help with that gladly.

If only he could get her to Pete and Sam's, he thought wistfully. But there was no way she would go that far.

He and Teresa both ate sparingly, wanting to ensure the children and Mrs. Skelling got enough. So it didn't take long for them to finish. As they got up from the table, Skelling said, "It would be my honor to escort you home. Or at least to the road."

"Thank you," Jane replied. "We'd be glad of your guidance."

Teresa shot him a questioning look but didn't protest. She knew as well as he did that any connection to them would endanger this family, but she also knew wandering through unfamiliar woods by themselves would endanger them and therefore the entire kingdom.

Hugging the children goodbye, Teresa seemed reluctant to hand the baby back to Maggie, and Jane could see the longing in every line of her posture. It was more than a desire to be a mother; she needed a child as part of the role that had been thrust onto her by Red John's ambition. She would be judged a failure if she didn't produce an heir. She would let her entire kingdom down.

It must be terrifying to be judged on something so fundamentally out of her control, he reflected as they left the house. Not only that, but even successfully delivering an heir could cost her life. Queens throughout the ages had faced this same dilemma. If she discovered she wasn't pregnant, would she be sad? Maybe worried something was wrong with her? Secretly relieved?

Red John was facing this same dilemma, it suddenly occurred to him. If it was true he'd never fathered a child on any of his women, he must feel tremendously frustrated at having his ambitions stymied by biology.

Jane realized he shouldn't have told Volker that he hadn't slept with Teresa. Maybe her odds of survival were better if Red John thought she was pregnant. Would he wait until she'd given birth to kill her and raise the child as his own? Both parents would need to be dead for that to happen.

Midnight, groomed and given fresh water and grass by Lou, greeted Jane with a whicker and a cursory search of his pockets, snorting in disapproval when he found nothing. Jane patted him on the neck. "Never fear. You'll get your treats, I promise. You deserve a whole barrel full of apples." He extended a hand to Teresa. "I'll walk with Mr. Skelling until we reach the road," he told her.

"I can walk too," she said, patting Midnight but making no move to mount him.

"No need to be afraid," Jane teased her. "He's not nearly as wild as they say."

"I'm not afraid!" she retorted, her eyes flashing. "I just thought it would be easier on him."

"He'll hardly notice you," Jane replied. "Plus it'll be good to have a lookout a little higher up."

Teresa nodded and put her foot in the stirrup, mounting gracefully. She'd have to ride astride, but that didn't seem to faze her. Jane suspected she'd only started riding sidesaddle when she began to make public appearances.

He and Skelling set off, Teresa keeping Midnight to a leisurely amble behind them. Jane judged they walked at least half a mile before they came upon the road from Napa to the capital. Pausing beside it, he turned to Skelling. "Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Skelling. We won't forget it. For your family's sake, please be discreet about spending the money and don't tell anyone where it came from."

"Don't worry," he assured them. "I'll tell everyone my poor Aunt Nellie over in Prussia passed on and left her favorite nephew a little something. Be safe, your highness. Your majesty. It was a privilege to meet you." He bowed.

"It was a pleasure, Mr. Skelling," Teresa said. "I hope we'll meet again. You'll hear from a doctor shortly."

"God save you, ma'am," he smiled. Then he set off down the road toward Napa at a brisk pace.

Teresa looked down at Jane. "I think I'd best dismount and sit in front of you, like we did on our way here. In case we run into anyone, it will leave my hands free for my gun."

"Practical," Jane agreed. The fact that it meant she would be riding in his arms was a delightful bonus, but he decided not to embarrass her by pointing it out.

Midnight huffed and sidled as Teresa dismounted, and Jane was momentarily concerned that the horse might make him look like an idiot in front of her. But he managed to climb into the saddle and turn Midnight's attempted bolt into a tight circle, then bring him to a halt long enough for Teresa to hop up into Jane's lap. "Ready?" he asked her.

"Ready," she replied, settling across him demurely.

Jane took the opportunity to smooch behind her ear, eliciting a breathy giggle. "Behave," she commanded, but her tone lacked conviction. "What if someone sees?"

"Then they'll think we're an eloping couple and not give us a second thought," Jane replied. "Or, if they recognize us, they'll smile and wish us luck conceiving an heir."

"Unless they're the duke's people."

"Maybe not. If he can't get an heir of his own, he might be content to wait for yours, then kill you."

"Assuming having the heir doesn't do it for him."

"He might hope for that, yes. But I intend to see you have the very best, most modern medical attention this continent can provide," Jane assured her.

"Oh, so you're also planning to kill Dr. Steiner?" she joked.

"Pension him off, maybe," Jane corrected.

"Anyway, your theory has one glaring flaw." She sounded triumphant.

"Oh? Do enlighten me."

"He tried to have me killed last night. Doesn't sound like he's waiting for an heir. Patience isn't his strong suit."

Jane hummed a little, acknowledging her point. "Because he doesn't think we're sleeping together. We don't know he was trying to have you killed; maybe he was trying to kidnap you, like Volker said."

Teresa was silent for a moment. "Maybe. I doubt it, though. Kidnapping me could just be so he could kill me personally. It's not an either/or choice." She tucked her hand in his jacket pocket. "It wouldn't be very princely to go around announcing I gave you my virginity."

He chuckled. "Not in mixed company, no. But once the ladies have left the table, I've heard more than one prince kiss and tell. Sometimes in graphic detail."

"You better not join them, or I'll let Cho and his knife loose," she warned.

"Your secrets are safe with me," he promised.

She sighed a little. "I hope Cho is okay. We should have tried to help him."

"We would only have put him in more danger. He had a far better chance as Miss Edgecomb's lover than the queen's bodyguard. And I will bet you any sum you like that he will thank me for getting you out of there."

"No bet," she grumbled.

"I will also bet you that we find him tucked up in bed with Miss Edgecomb in devoted attendance," Jane said, hoping to cheer her up.

"Oh, I hope so." Her voice was a little unsteady, and Jane was reminded that her experience had taught her to expect the worst. He would have to be mindful of her dread that everyone she loved would die. He hadn't realized it before now, but his own life was more valuable, less disposable, because she cared about it.

"In that case," Teresa said, "I would appreciate it if you distract her while I talk to him. I don't think I'm supposed to know about their connection. I assume it's illicit."

"Oh, very," Jane chuckled. "Don't disapprove too harshly, my dear. Even a man like Cho needs to have a little fun. And she seems like a delectable little bit of fun."

"It's not my place to disapprove of anything Cho does on his own time," she shot back. "I just don't want him to be embarrassed. And I don't want him to watch you flirt with his...whatever."

"No flirting. Not on my part, anyway. She's not to my taste."

"Oh?"

She was adorable when she was jealous, he thought. "I prefer sharp tongued brunettes with high expectations."

"Uh huh," she said skeptically, but he felt her relax against him.

"Tell me a story about your childhood," he suggested.

"You already know so much about me, but I know almost nothing about you," she protested. "Tell me a story about yours instead."

His childhood wasn't much of a source for amusing stories, Jane thought. "What would you like to know?" he stalled.

"Who taught you to ride?"

He was relieved she'd gone easy on him. He dreaded having to admit that not only did he not remember his own mother, but he didn't even know whether she was alive or dead. "Well, I started on an elephant."

"What? You did not!" She pulled back to look at him.

"I did so. Her name was Daisy. Pete taught me to ride her. Of course, there was no bridle, so he had to lead her, but I learned balance and how to move with her. Then for a while we had a performer who danced on her horse, and she let me ride in return for stable chores." And other considerations, but he wouldn't mention those.

"How old were you?"

He grinned. Of course she suspected he'd used his looks to get what he wanted. "Fifteen. The year after she left, we spent some time in the countryside around Vienna, and I snuck off a couple of times to the Spanish Riding School to see them train."

"You've seen so much," she marveled. "I've always wanted to see the Lipizzan horses. And an elephant, for that matter. Did you get to ride at the school?"

"No. But I saw how the riders respected their horses, how they worked together. It was a beautiful thing, and I always keep that in mind when dealing with a fine horse. Like Midnight here."

"He is a fine horse. But he needed the right rider. So many people told me I should sell him after Tommy died, but I couldn't. He loved him. I'm glad I kept him for you."

"Me too."

"He's yours now." She leaned her head against Jane's shoulder. "If something happens to me, I still want you to have him."

"I plan to see that nothing happens to you," Jane replied. "But Midnight is exactly the kind of horse I've always wanted, so I plan to keep him. Thank you."

"I wish I had more to give you," she said.

Jane chuckled. "Teresa, you've given me a very fine horse in addition to your protection, affection, and partnership. Plus a home and position. And a future. None of which I deserve. Please don't feel that you're the one at a disadvantage in this relationship. I owe you more than I can ever repay. Though I hope to spend a lifetime trying."

"You don't owe me anything. You've helped me so much," she murmured into his cravat. "And the future you can have with me won't be easy. It'll be full of politics and maybe more danger, even if John is gone."

"But I'll have a home and a family. And I'll do whatever is necessary to protect them." Jane dropped a kiss into her hair. "We'll take each day as it comes."

"Mm hm." She leaned more heavily against him, her breathing slowing, and he recalled how exhausted she'd been yesterday.

"Just relax for now," he said gently. "I'll wake you if we run into anyone."

"Okay," she murmured.

mmm

The road was deserted until they crested the mountain and started down toward the royal castle. Jane tensed as he heard hoofbeats approaching, but before he could wake Teresa, she stirred and said, "Someone's coming."

"Yes." She'd been living in fear of her life for a couple of months now, he reminded himself. Her alertness made him feel both relieved and sad.

Teresa shifted a little but didn't sit up. He felt her draw her gun and realized she planned to pretend to be asleep so she'd have the element of surprise. Jane slowed Midnight's brisk walk to a plodding one as they approached a bend in the road, to the horse's disapproval. He tossed his head and then let out a neigh, drawing a response from a yet unseen horse.

Teresa slid her left arm around Jane's waist, gripping tightly in case they needed to run. He took a moment to drop a kiss into her hair as the unknown riders came closer, moving at a trot.

As they rounded the bend, Jane automatically registered that they were a man and a woman, armed and intimidating, before Teresa sat up and called, "Grace! Rigsby!"

"Oh, thank God!" Grace cried. "We thought you'd been taken!"

"Is Cho okay?" Teresa demanded.

"He will be," Rigsby assured her. "He threw his back out wrestling with one of the guys who raided the cottage, that's all. I went to check on you guys after Abbott caught someone trying to set fire to the royal apartment, and we've been looking for you all night."

Grace moved her horse alongside Midnight, looking anxiously at Teresa. "You're all right? You weren't hurt?"

"I'm fine," Teresa said. "We found shelter for the night. I'm a little hungry, that's all."

Grace shot a meaningful look at Rigsby, who reluctantly drew a small pouch out of his pocket and tossed it to Teresa. She opened it and tore off a piece of the fresh bread, offering it to Jane.

"I'm fine," he lied. "You eat it."

"We found Athena," Grace reported. "She's safely back in her stall."

"Good. Thank you. Everything else is okay?"

"Yes, everyone's fine," Grace said.

"As far as we know," Rigsby grumbled.

"Someone's missing?" Jane guessed. "Volker?"

"No. Volker's still sitting in jail complaining," Rigsby said. "Renfrew ran off in the confusion last night."

"Idiot," Jane said. "At least we have his statement. Or did that go with him?"

"No, that's under lock and key," Grace said. "Boss, you can have my horse. Rigsby's will carry both of us."

Jane was about to point out that he and Teresa were a smaller and therefore lighter load for a single horse, but Teresa spoke first. "Midnight is doing fine. Let's get home. I'm dying for a nice hot bath."

"And tea and eggs," Jane added fervently.

"I've got point," Rigsby said, urging his horse into a trot.

Grace cast one worried look over Teresa, then dropped behind to guard their backs. Jane let Midnight speed up as much as he wanted, relieved to have Teresa's safety assured, and smiled down at her. She smiled back, glad to have set her mind at rest about Cho, no doubt. She would be happy to be back on her own turf.

Jane was less content. Why hadn't Volker run? Too smart? Renfrew was an idiot whose body would probably be found before sunset. Not that Jane would mourn him in the least.

And Red John now wanted to kill him. That was a good thing, because it would draw him out. His desire to kill Teresa was political, so it was preferable to have someone else kill her. But he'd want to kill Jane himself for daring to tamper with Rosalind.

But whatever he planned for Jane was all too likely to snare Teresa as well, since they lived together. Jane wanted nothing more than to lock themselves in their bedroom, but he knew he needed to put some distance between them instead. Which he did not want to do. He was pretty sure Teresa wouldn't willingly let him, either.

Surely they could afford one day. He would figure out what to do tomorrow, but he wouldn't hurt Teresa by pulling away from her after their first night together. Maybe he'd come up with a plan that wouldn't force him to leave her. That would be ideal.

He just had no idea what that might be.

mmm

Jane still had no plan, only disjointed ideas, when they reached the castle. Teresa had fallen deeply asleep, feeling safe with her guards nearby and, he hoped, comfortable in his arms. He jostled her awake as he pulled Midnight to a stop in the stable yard. "Hey," he said softly.

"Hm?" Teresa sat up and looked around, trying to wake.

"You were drooling on me a little," he teased.

"Oh. Sorry." She blushed as she met his eyes, and he had to smile. He didn't need to announce that he'd seduced her; the way she looked at him would do that for anyone who cared to observe them. She was like a schoolgirl with her first crush, he thought as he helped her down with Rigsby's assistance. Of course, he might be her first crush. He was definitely her first love.

The thought put a big grin on his face as he dismounted, noticing that Teresa took half a step to his side without seeming to realize it. Her body language was free of tension for the first time since he'd known her, and he marveled that Grace and Rigsby didn't seem to notice the change. He hoped he hadn't made her lose her edge, even temporarily.

"Where's our arsonist?" she demanded crisply, reassuring Jane.

"The dungeon," Rigsby replied. "Abbott and I questioned him, but he wouldn't give us anything, even his name."

"Send Dr. Steiner to look at Cho. Then he's to go to a cabin in the woods down the road from where you found us and treat Mrs. Skelling. He's not to say a word to anyone about either visit. Make sure he understands," Teresa said sternly.

"Yes, Boss," Rigsby said, hurrying off.

Grace stepped forward, and Teresa smiled at her. "A bath, please. And then let's pick up my normal schedule. Did I miss any meetings?"

"Not yet," Grace assured her. "And only a few of us know you weren't here last night."

"Good." Teresa turned to Jane. "Come on. You need a bath too."

Jane grinned at her, leaning close so he could murmur in her ear as they walked. "You didn't object to my working up a sweat last night. Or this morning."

Her face went bright red. "Hush," she muttered, elbowing him to a more proper distance.

Jane just chuckled.

mmm

After his bath and breakfast, Jane went to meet with Abbott. They took a stroll in the gardens for privacy, careful to keep out of earshot of anyone else. "I hear you had an eventful night," Jane remarked.

"Not compared to yours," Abbott said. "But it's not every day I find someone trying to flood part of a castle with gas so he can blow it up."

So it had been much more than someone trying to set the stables on fire, Jane realized. Maybe he was wrong about Red John wanting to kill him personally? "Near the royal apartments?"

"Near enough. The arsonist must have known there'd be guards there, so he was fiddling with one of the sconces in the hall below."

"Good thing you thought to check there," Jane said, curious as to why.

Abbott chuckled. "Oh, I wish that were true. I got lost. Luckily."

Jane grinned. "It's a rambling old pile, isn't it? Teresa rarely lets me wander unescorted, for which I'm usually grateful."

"I'm sure you'll learn your way around in no time. If you're staying."

Jane considered his options for satisfying Abbott's curiosity before replying, "Trying to figure out if it's worth helping me?"

"Not at all." Abbott was unperturbed. "Sorting out this kingdom's problem is definitely in my employer's interest. Having the queen and her consort owe me a favor would merely be a...valuable bonus. Who knows? Maybe I'll retire here. I'm thinking there might be some openings in the government when the dust settles."

"More than likely," Jane agreed. "So what's your take on the arsonist? In it for the money or true believer?"

"Hard to say. Definitely an amateur. If you're going to talk to him, I'd be happy to help."

"Good. Let's go see what our failed pyromaniac has to say."

Jane led the way to the dungeon, which was far less creepy than the one in Napa Castle. That wasn't necessarily a good thing, he reflected. Maybe this criminal believed nothing terrible would happen to him in good hearted Queen Teresa's custody. Jane would disabuse him of that idea.

There was an almost cozy interrogation room right behind the guard station. Ron brought the arsonist to it in chains, and Jane settled in the chair across the table from him while Abbott leaned in the corner.

"So," Jane began, "I bet you think you're getting off easy for attempted regicide and murder, hm? Nice clean cell, maggot-free meals? You're thinking it just proves her majesty is weak. You think her kindness is a fatal flaw in a ruler. And you might be right. Every king or queen has to do unkind things sometimes. Get their hands dirty. Right?"

"What would you know about it?" The man looked over Jane's neat suit with a sneer.

"More than you'd think." Jane let his anger seep into his smile. "Because the queen doesn't need to get her hands dirty. She has me. Understand?"

"You don't scare me."

"Then you're a fool." Jane leaned forward. "I have nothing to lose by killing you right here and now. Her majesty would be relieved; she'd never say a word about it." Well, that wasn't true, but this man wouldn't know that. "You look like an intelligent man. Your hands aren't calloused, so you're not a laborer, which means you have resources. So why throw your life away? Because that's what you've done. Make no mistake."

"Says you."

"Yes. And what do you say?" Jane leaned back.

"I say I'm just an innocent bystander. I came to the castle to apply for a position, smelled gas, and tried to turn off the leak."

Jane smiled. "Then I'm very sorry for the misunderstanding, Mr., er—"

"Lennon. Jason Lennon. I actually was hoping to be your valet. I have references."

"Oh? I am in need of a valet, as it happens. May I see your references?"

Abbott made a choking sound as Lennon blinked, surprised. "My papers were confiscated."

"Of course. I'll take a look after we're done here. So, Mr. Lennon, you thought the best way to apply to be my valet was to enter the castle after normal visiting hours and unescorted? Unconventional. Creative. Effective?" Jane shrugged. "I bet you wish you'd applied at the gate like everyone else."

"On reflection, I do," he agreed. "I've heard you're a very unconventional prince, so I thought an unconventional approach would work best."

"In this case, no." Jane looked up as the door opened, surprised when Teresa entered, followed by Grace. He quickly turned his attention back to Lennon, noting the predatory gleam in his eye as he looked at Grace.

Jane got to his feet, kissing Teresa's cheek. "My dear, I didn't expect you to join us," he said. "Would you care to sit? Mr. Lennon was just applying for the job of my valet in the most creative way that occurred to him. What do you say?"

Teresa shot him an incredulous glance, then frowned at Lennon. "I say that I value reliability and obedience far more than creativity in my servants," she replied. Looking back at Jane, she added, "Your creativity is enough for one household. And no, I don't care to sit. Please proceed."

Jane sat back down, snapping his fingers to draw Lennon's attention away from Grace. "Mr. Lennon. I see you appreciate beautiful women, but please have some decorum."

Lennon smirked. "I'll behave."

"Good. Because my wife is a virtuous woman, and I don't want her exposed to your deviant behavior. And Lady Grace is engaged to Colonel Rigsby, a large man who would break every bone in your body if he saw you looking at her like that."

Grace muttered, "Not if I beat him to it."

"Are you married, Mr. Lennon?" Teresa asked.

"No."

Jane said, "You should address her as ma'am. No children?"

"No."

"And you should address me as sir. Should we break for an etiquette lesson?"

"Depends on who's my teacher." He leered at Grace again.

"The largest, hairiest man I can find in the castle," Teresa snapped. "And I'll see to it that he has bad breath."

"I understand not having a wife," Jane continued. "You're not interested in companionship, just satisfying your lust. But no children either? That's a shame. Is that your choice, or does your master not allow it?"

"Who'd want mewling little messes anyway?"

So Red John didn't allow his followers to do what he couldn't, Jane thought. Was that why the women were killed? He would need to control his men's access to sex to prevent them reproducing. Did he kidnap women for his men's pleasure, then kill them for his own? It was an ugly thought. Jane decided he didn't need to pursue that line of inquiry, especially not with Teresa present. "Were your orders to kill or capture?"

"I had no orders."

"Yes, you did. Let me guess. You wanted to throw the castle into confusion, and then your accomplices were supposed to kidnap me. If the queen was hurt or killed, fine, but she wasn't the main focus." Jane saw that he'd guessed correctly. "When you failed, your accomplices then tried to kidnap me again, but they also failed. Oh, the duke is very unhappy today. Very unhappy. I should hand you to him and let him punish you."

"But you won't," Lennon said.

"No. But what I think I'll do is send you to the city jail and charge you with a couple dozen counts of murder. You'll no doubt enjoy the visits you'll get from bereaved husbands and sons. You and Count Volker can reminisce about old times. Along with Renfrew, if we find him alive. Which I doubt." Jane got up. "Think it over. Give us your confession, and her majesty will consider exile instead of execution."

They filed out of the room, and Teresa said, "Are you serious? You want him transferred?"

"Yes. He'll actually be safer, I think. There are too many of the duke's people here; Captain Rupert's are less likely to have been recruited."

Teresa considered it, then nodded. "All right."

"Good. Now. Did you come down to see Mr. Lennon or me?" Jane asked.

She smiled. "You. Bertram is coming to harangue me about something. Distract him for me?"

Jane smiled back. "With pleasure."