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his reprimand. She cared little about his tools or the twenty or so small hammers that all looked the same to her.
    “Do you remember when our quarters on the outskirts of Dublin burnt down last year?”
    She nodded.
    “All our furniture and belongings—most of our life savings were destroyed. A short time afterwards, I was approached by a gentleman who had a grudge against England—the courts in particular and the country in general. He asked me if I wanted to produce spurious coins for a profit. It was an extremely desirable proposition after the fire, and a quick way to recover the losses. So I agreed.”
    “You could hang.” ‘Tis a risk we’re willing to take.”
    “What does any of this have to do with my father?”
    “Snooping. ‘Tis only part of the reason, but I’ll let the illustrious gent behind all this tell you himself.”
    “Damn you to hell, Roderick!”
    He gasped in feigned shock at her unladylike language, only to laugh at his own antics.
    Frustrated and anxious to leave, she said, “Charlotte doesn’t know about this, does she?”
    “Nay, and if she finds out, I’ll hold you responsible—or rather your father,” Roderick warned.
    “How do I know my father is still alive?”
    “That’s the chance you’ll have to take,” Roderick said and gave her a wicked smile.
    She wanted to smack him across the mouth with the back of her hand. Instead, she asked, “Do you know where Adam is? He’s involved in all this too, isn’t he?”
    “What do you think?”
    Her stomach turned. What a fool she had been. No wonder Adam had declined to tell her anything about his background. His intentions were to simply use her to get to her father. If only she hadn’t told Adam where her father had planned to be the night he was abducted.
    She sighed. If she refused to draw the pattern, or pass the counterfeit coins, her father would be harmed. By doing Roderick’s will, she ran the risk of getting caught, imprisoned, and possibly hung. Roderick would deny knowing her. No one would believe her innocent. Dear God in heaven, she was in a mess.
    “How long must I do this until my father and I can be free to live a normal life again?”
    Roderick shrugged. “It depends on Adam. You weren’t part of the plans. He does love you, Elizabeth, if that’s any consolation.”
    “ ‘Tis not. I hope he drops dead soon for the grief he has caused me and apparently is going to continue to cause me.” For sure, if she lived through this and ever caught up with Adam, she’d teach him that he’d chosen the wrong woman to cross. The man might have experienced the wrath of many a lady before her, but never had he suffered the way she intended to make him do so.
    She grabbed her reticule. “Where are these coins you want me to deliver?”
    Roderick walked over to the windows and closed the shutters. He moved a waste bin from under the windows, knelt down and pressed his fingers along the floorboards until he found the place he wanted. Touched the right way, the floorboard lifted to reveal a space beneath it. He reached inside and pulled up a well-worn, black leather pouch.
    When he stood and handed her the pouch, he said, “Don’t get any ideas. My hiding places change all the time. The space beneath this floor is all the same. No one would be able to prove anything.”
    She shoved the coins in her bag and started to leave.
    “All right, Elizabeth. We’ll be in contact with you.” He enthusiastically waved. “This is going to be wonderful. After all, who would suspect a lady. Remember, not a word to anyone. Farewell.”
    She considered responding with an obscene gesture she had seen a drunken man on the street make to another, but settled for what she hoped was her best: nasty face. Irritating toad, with your habitual silly wave. The bell on the door wildly tinkled when she firmly shut it behind her.
    She hurriedly made her way home, with the events of the past few days heavily on her mind. The discovery of a