Page 36 of A Rogue to Forget

“Mother admitted to me that when she married my father, she was with child. She gave you up because she feared your father and hoped to keep it a secret.”

It was obvious when he went silent that Jules was processing the information. Hannah met his gaze and let out a sigh, quickly averting her eyes to the others present.

“There is nothing else to say. Leave,” Jules said, his hands curling into fists.

Not for the first time, Hannah showed an extreme quiet valor. She looked up to the threatening man with a soft expression. “You killed my father or had him killed and he was innocent. Neither he nor Mother had any idea where the box was hidden. The housekeeper who hid it took the secret to her grave. I found it and brought it.”

Marta held out a bundle and unwrapped it to show the box.

“What was in it?” Jules asked, motioning for one of his men to take the box. “Did you find anything?”

Hannah nodded. “Yes, money. It is in the bank. If you promise to leave all of us alone, I will have it brought to you.”

“I have no need for the money,” Jules spat out. “I want something she took from my father.”

The box was placed on a surface and opened to show that indeed it was empty. Jules approached it and closed the lid. He traced the surface as if following a pattern and then pressed his finger to one spot.

A panel fell open and inside was a key.

He took it and held it up, then seeming to remember he had an audience, returned his attention to Hannah.

“You will not be bothered. You have my word.”

Hannah met Jules’s gaze for a long moment. “I cannot forgive you.”

Not sure what she’d do next, Henry went to her side. “Come, let’s go.”

They all walked out in silence. Two men followed them to the door.

“If you ever need anything, Hannah,” Jules said.

Hannah did not reply; instead, she huffed.

“Miss Hannah,” Marta sniffed, taking one of her hands. “You were so brave.”

“I daresay, we still do not know what the key is for,” his father muttered. “In all possibility, larger coffers.”

Miles and Evan neared. “We will take you home,” Evan said to Hannah. “Our carriage is here.”

“I was about to offer,” Henry countered. “Hannah?”

“I will go with Evan. You have matters to see to from what I hear.” Not looking to him, she walked toward the waiting carriage. It was evident the encounter with Jules had affected her and, once alone, she would succumb to emotions. She’d been terrified and had been brave only because she had no one but herself to protect her household.

“If you do not mind, I will go with you,” Miles said to Henry, his eyes trailing Hannah and the others. “Brave woman.”