“How did you know that Briarwood was coming to the village?” Daphne asked Daniel.
Gerard answered. “Mr. Finch noticed unfamiliar men loitering near his house and office. We alerted Daniel immediately.”
“But… how did Briarwood know to go through Finch’s things? How did he know that it was Mr. Finch’s family members whohosted Daphne? Wilhemina’s work is a secret.” Victoria’s voice was tight with worry.
“It did sound strange… and disconcerting,” Dominic murmured, frowning.
“One of me associates, Farnleigh, said Briarwood’s been snoopin’ about our estates, claimin’ he’s lookin’ to buy,” Alasdair chimed in, crossing his arms over his chest. “Which means Briarwood did search through some of our properties and possible hiding places before landing on Finch. But between all of us men here, there are countless pieces of land to account for. It would’ve taken him a much longer time to sift through it all before ending up on Finch.”
“We didn’t even contact Finch for a week,” Wilhelmina said, looking stricken. “We didn’t want Briarwood to make a connection, and still, he did. Nobody in Finch’s employ would betray him. He is a good man.”
“Perhaps money was involved,” Dominic volunteered.
“We will have to find out who was bribed,” Daniel vowed.
Wilhelmina, who was never easily rattled, looked at Daphne with glistening eyes. “I wish we’d hidden you better. Perhaps, you’d be free now if we had kept Briarwood from finding you.”
“Stop it, Mina,” Daphne said gently. “ It will not do to dwell on such matters . For now, though, I am exhausted. I need to rest.”
Everyone murmured in understanding as she excused herself and walked towards the stairs. Victoria followed her.
“Are you going to be all right?” she asked.
“Yes,” Daphne reassured her twin. “I merely need some sleep. We can talk further tomorrow.”
Victoria nodded in acknowledgment and pulled her into a fierce hug. “I am so sorry that this is happening to you.”
“I’ll survive. After all, I’ve survived having you as a sister.”
Victoria smacked her arm lightly. “That’s my line. I am supposed to be the one who teases.”
Their lighthearted exchange came to an abrupt halt when their mother appeared in the hallway.
Daphne stiffened, and felt Victoria do the same beside her. Heavens, she was in no mood to deal with their mother’s judgmental gaze now.
“So,” the Dowager began, her gaze sharp, “am I really the last person in this house to learn that my daughter is engaged to the Duke of Wolfcrest?”
“Mother, please. I’m tired. We can discuss this in the morning,” Daphne protested.
“That will not do, Daphne. I am your mother.” The Dowager’s eyes flashed with anger. “Tell me, did you force this engagement by acting unladylike? Did the Duke compromise you?”
“How could you—” Daphne faltered.
The words were so unexpected that she grabbed hold of Victoria’s arm and held tight, anchoring herself to the spot so that she would not sway under their force.
Did her mother not know her at all?
“How dare you insinuate such a thing?” Victoria barked, stepping forward.
“Do not take that tone with me, Victoria,” the Dowager warned, raising a brow. “You know these men. Convenient rescues always have a reason. Powerful men like the Duke of Wolfcrest do not act from the goodness of their hearts. And you, Daphne, should understand why the Duke’s timely intervention is far too convenient to be innocent.”
“You’ve said enough, Mother,” Victoria snapped, her voice sharp as a whip.
The Dowager Countess sneered, clearly perturbed by Victoria’s intercession but satisfied with her own reasoning. Daphne could not believe it: her own mother refused to consider that a man might act honorably, that anyone might wish to help her without expectation or scandal.
She was exhausted. There was no arguing with anyone else tonight. Silently, Daphne peeled her fingers from Victoria’s forearm, then retreated to her bedchamber, still hearing the heated exchange between her twin and their mother echoing through the house.
Once in her room, sleep did not come easily. She dressed for bed and lay down, her eyes tracing the dark corners of the chamber, restless and alert despite the late hour.
