Showing no mercy, Helena sucked every last ounce of pleasure from Cynthia until the sensations overwhelmed her. She pulled free. Her breath came in gasps, her body covered in a flush of sated desire. Lifting her head, she saw the satisfied grin on Helena’s slick lips and realised they were hovering at least three feet above the bed.
In a weightless rush, they both fell back onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs, Helena’s breasts crushed against Cynthia’s in delicious pressure.
Her laughter bubbled like a spring brook. ‘Well, that was certainly unexpected.’
Helena shifted, her hand tangling in Cynthia’s hair as she kissed her. Cynthia could taste her own tang on Helena’s tongue, stirring a new flutter of arousal. ‘How could I ever have believed I would be able to resist falling in love with you?’
‘Silly witch.’ Cynthia nuzzled against her neck, drawing in bergamot and lemon balm, the scents of home to her now. ‘Let’s see if I can make us fly again.’
Helena stood next to Cynthia on the front steps of Cynthia’s home. ‘Are you sure you want to go in? I can get your dress for you.’
‘No. I need to speak with Mrs Higgins.’
Hamlet yipped, his body nearly lost between their skirts.
The butler opened the door, his eyes widening at the sight of both women. ‘Lady Burrows.’ He stepped back, ushering them into the hall.
‘We’re only here to collect my dress. And I need to speak with Mrs Higgins. Will you have her meet us in the marchioness’ suite?’
‘Of course, my lady.’
Helena followed Cynthia up the wide staircase. Once more, she wished she could read Cynthia’s thoughts. She understood it might give her an unfair advantage, and balance was important, and all the other things… but it would certainly be nice. Instead, she asked, ‘What are you thinking?’
Cynthia swept into her dressing room and emerged a moment later, struggling under the weight of her gown. ‘That I can’t wait to leave this house. And start a new life. With you.’
Helena’s mouth went dry as the vase next to her began to swirl. Love was constantly surprising her with its beauty.
The door opened and Mrs Higgins entered, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. ‘Lady Burrows. Do you need help dressing for the ball?’
Cynthia hefted the dress onto her bed and exhaled a gusty breath. ‘No. I’m dressing at Blair House.’ She gestured to the two wingback chairs sitting near the hearth. ‘Will you sit?’
Mrs Higgins looked from Helena back to Cynthia.
Dear God. She knows.
Mrs Higgins’ terrified thoughts echoed in Helena’s head as the housekeeper walked with stiff steps, freezing halfway across the room. ‘My lady, please. You must know. I’m going to turn myself in to Scotland Yard. I promise. I should have told you right away. I don’t know what I was thinking. I won’t let anyone else suffer for my choices. I just couldn’t let him hurt another girl.’ Though her chin quivered, she refused to look away from her mistress.
Cynthia hurried to Mrs Higgins, taking her hand and tugging her to the closest chair. The poor woman’s face had gone frighteningly pale.
‘You misunderstand. I didn’t call you here to confront you. I wanted to thank you. For doing what I could not.’
Helena’s heart ached as Cynthia’s voice quavered. This was the other side of love. Hurting when your loved one suffered, and you were unable to ease their pain.
Mrs Higgins sat, her breath coming in shaking gasps. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘I told Superintendent MacDougal that Hubert killed himself. And Sinclair is a bastard, but he won’t betray you. If he does, his word will never stand against mine. You are safe, Mrs Higgins.’
The housekeeper leaned back in the chair as tears caught in her wrinkled cheeks and her body wracked with sobs. Cynthia held her hand and Helena stepped closer. ‘I never meant… only, when I saw him with Polly… I didn’t even realise I took the letter opener from his desk and… He was going to kill her. I screamed for him to stop, and he wouldn’t.’ She shook her head. ‘I had to do something.’
I shall burn in hell for my crimes.
‘It isn’t a crime to protect the innocent, Mrs Higgins.’
Hamlet brushed past Helena, leaning his body against the housekeeper’s leg in silent support.
‘You said yourself, he wouldn’t stop. You saved Polly’s life.’
‘And mine. You set me free when you ended Hubert’s life, Mrs Higgins. And now, it’s my turn to do the same for you.’
