“Did I not? An oversight. Good day, sir.” She managed one forward stride before Vane sidled into her path.
“A moment, if you please, madam.”
“Sir, I really must insist you let me pass. My husband is expecting me.”
“Indeed? And yet, I’m told he boarded a vessel bound for the mainland over an hour ago.”
“I’m sure you’re mistaken.”
“Be that as it may, dear lady, I must ask you to wait with me while my employees perform a small task. Afterward, I shall escort you to the castle myself.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m perfectly capable of seeing myself home,” she insisted, even as a sinking surety filled her. He had no intention of letting her go.
“But haven’t you heard? There’s a killer on the loose. Why, one woman, your…chaperone? Turned up strangled.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial tone. “There’s also talk of a man whose head was bashed in.”
She swallowed.
“Come,” he said, reaching for her arm, and propelling her toward the open keyhole. “Join me in the kilns.”
“Whatever for?” She attempted to dig in her heels, to no avail.
“I must check on the progress of my men, and can hardly leave you out here. What would the viscount say if I allowed any harm to come to his cousin’s widow?”
“His wife,” she bit out. “And I have no wish to enter the kilns.” Though she hated to resort to an outright struggle, panic surged at the thought of venturing inside.
With no warning, Lord Vane reached his free hand into his pocket to withdraw what looked to be a small ladies’ pistol. He trained the weapon on her.
“Lord Vane? Whatever are you about? My husband will be very displeased.”
His genial smile vanished, replaced by one reeking of malevolence. “I’m counting on that. It will be a small recompense considering all the trouble he’s caused me. Now, move.”
Chapter 37
Caroline stared at her empty valise, open on the bed, and tried to come up with a way to make Sterling see sense.
You will not go back to that terrible place, Annabelle had said—referring to the place where tragedy had struck Babette.
Thatterrible placewas her familial home on Hanover Square. Sterling’s home. Soon to be Annabelle’s home. And Annabelle didn’t have a clue.
A soft, rapid knock sounded on Caroline’s door, pulling her from the dark musings.
“Come,” Caroline said.
She expected Annabelle to appear in the open doorway. Instead, Babette hovered over the threshold like a frightened bird.
Dear Babette who, since Caroline’s arrival, had been unceasingly polite, and had avoided her like the plague, almost as if she feared Caroline. It broke her heart.
“Babette. Don’t be shy. Come in.”I won’t hurt you,hung in the air, unsaid.
Babette heaved a visible sigh and entered, closing the door behind her. “Milady, I’m sorry to disturb you.”
“You are not disturbing me, Babette. In fact, it’s good to see you looking so well.”
A small smile played at her mouth. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Have you come to help me pack? It really isn’t necessary—especially as I can see my presence here these last several weeks has caused you distress.”
The maid’s eyes widened. “Oh, no, ma’am. It hasn’t. You haven't. It’s only…” she bit her lip. “I wondered at first if you came to take me back.”
