‘At least tell us how you got into his office. Superintendent MacDougal’s men questioned all of the staff. No one recalls Hubert meeting with anyone that morning.’ Cynthia refused to back down. It was both admirable and terrifying.
A small, smug smile curled his lips. ‘You so sure ’e didn’t meet with someone in the dead o’ the night? Answered the door ’imself, I’ll bet. Didn’t want anyone in ’is fine ’ousehold knowing the company ’e kept when the ’onest folks were all sleeping. Not that you would notice. Can’t rightly remember ’im ever talking about his lady wife. Too busy chasing after the innocent girls you put before ’im. Like a lion tamer feeding ’er beast, you were. Kept ’is attentions busy on ’elpless chits like my Lily while you swanned off to yer next damned ball or salon.’
Cynthia’s face paled. ‘That isn’t?—’
‘Speak to her that way again, and you won’t need to worry about your neck winding up in the hangman’s noose. I’ll break it myself and save the courts having to decide if you’re innocent or guilty.’ Helena’s rage reared once more like a rogue wave, ready to ram him with protective power.
‘Enough!’ Lily’s soft voice was all the more compelling when it finally rose in anger. ‘We are not each other’s enemies.’ She turned to her father, pointing a finger at his chest. ‘Lady Burrows was nothing but kind to me, so stop blaming ’er just because she’s alive and ’e’s not. If she didn’t see what ’e was up to with the female staff, it’s because ’e made sure to keep his sins hidden in the dark, and ’er ladyship lived in the light.’ She turned to Helena. ‘And you stop threatening my father.’
Helena stepped back to avoid being jabbed by Lily’s index finger, a tactic the girl must have learned from Lippert.
‘He’s trying to protect me the best way ’e knows how, but ’e wouldn’t ’urt a fly. Would you?’ Her gaze was full of hope she was right and fear that she might be wrong.
Lippert’s love for his daughter was a painful thing to behold. He shook his head. ‘A better father would ’ave killed ’im fer what ’e did to you.’
‘You are thebestfather.’ Lily’s chin quivered as a tear escaped, rolling down her cheek. She rushed to him, and he wrapped his burly arms around her tightly.
‘You must let me help you.’ Cynthia’s voice was tight with too many emotions.
Lily pulled free of her father. ‘What ’e did ain’t yer fault. And it ain’t yer responsibility, neither.’
Cynthia straightened her spine, transforming before Helena’s eyes into Marchioness Kentmore. ‘You were my employee, and an excellent one at that. It is well within my rights to give you a parting gift. My husband granted me a substantial living upon his death. A portion of that money will be set aside for your child. Whether you take it or let it sit untouched is up to you.’
‘Lady Burrows?—’
‘I insist. If not for me, for your child.’
Dear goddess, she is magnificent.
Helena’s heart swelled in her chest. Whether it was pride, admiration, or respect, she couldn’t say. Perhaps a combination of all three.
‘We don’t want nuffink from the wife of ’ubert Burrows. Better we starve than take a penny of yer cursed money.’ George Lippert crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring the slap his daughter landed on his right shoulder.
‘Insufferable man!’ Helena couldn’t watch Cynthia agonise any longer. They got the information they were seeking. Staying further would only prolong Cynthia’s torture at the hands of a man who would never be satisfied. She took Cynthia’s hands. ‘We should leave.’
But Cynthia pulled back as Helena tried to tug her towards the door. She wouldn’t turn away from George Lippert.
‘You are right, sir. I should have known what was going on in the hallways and rooms of my own house.’ Her lip trembled, and a tear glimmered in her hazel eyes.
Helena ached to ease her suffering almost as fiercely as she wished to funnel a stream of water at George Lippert’s face until he begged for mercy. But all she could do was hold her hand and let Cynthia speak.
‘When it came to my husband, I learned early and well that life was far more pleasant if I didn’t ask any questions or make any demands. For myself or others.’
Helena squeezed Cynthia’s fingers. If they were alone, she would have caught the tear that fell and let it sink past her skin and into her veins, absorbing Cynthia’s sorrow as her own.
Sniffing, Cynthia cleared her throat and continued, her voice gaining strength. ‘I should have been braver. I should have been better, and I wasn’t. But I would like to be better now. You don’t owe me anything. That is true. But I would ask that you let me do this. For your daughter and your grandchild. And if that isn’t a good enough reason, then to spite the man who abused Lily so grievously. Because I swear to you, Hubert would hate nothing more than knowing his precious money is being used to support Lily’s child.’
Lippert rocked back on his heels and tilted his chin as he silently assessed Cynthia. If only Helena had the ability to put thoughts in other people’s minds instead of snatching them out. She would have forced George Lippert to accept Cynthia’s offer, then get on his knees and beg forgiveness for the awful things he’d said. In lieu of that, she was seriously contemplating hexing the man, regardless of her oath to do no harm.
‘Yer a shrewd woman, Lady Burrows.’
Cynthia’s hand trembled in Helena’s. ‘One more fault you can add to the list.’
The small smile returned to his lips, but this time, there was no smug glint to his eyes. ‘All righ’. We accept yer offer. But only because I’ll know the bastard is rolling over in ’is grave with every penny of ’is that lines our pockets.’
Helena breathed a sigh of relief as Cynthia let out a shaky breath.
‘I shall have my man of business visit you next week to finalise the details.’ She let go of Helena’s hand, her fingers leaving a trail in their wake.
