“You say you are a friend of Mr. Cromwell?”
Evander seemed surprised at the interrogation, but he answered, simply, “I am so favored.”
“Does he cherish you in affection?” Brilliana pursued, still watching him closely.
“He loved my father,” said Evander. “If I dared to think it I should say he loved me, too. Truly, he has shown me much regard.”
Brilliana struck her palms sharply together with the air of one who has solved a difficult problem.
“Your Mr. Cromwell has taken prisoner a cousin of mine whom he threatens to kill as a spy. We will exchange you against Mr. Cromwell’s prisoner.”
Evander looked steadily back at her with a hint of mild amusement at the corners of his mouth.
“Colonel Cromwell will never exchange a spy,” he responded, decisively.
Rufus, who was listening to the conference, nodded his head in gloomy assent. “That is like enough,” he agreed. Brilliana stamped a foot and her eyes snapped vexation.