AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Abruptly, Breanna seized Royce's arm. “Royce, I've got to get home. Now.”
Royce studied her terrified expression, instantly slapping the reins to comply. “What is it?”
“It's the killer. He's getting close to Stacie.”
Lady Anastasia would wait.
The assassin's lips curled in a mocking smile as he peered around the corner of the hall, watched the two guards standing rigidly in front of the marchioness's door.
Putting them there had no doubt been Chadwick's doing. He was making sure Lady Anastasia stayed safe while he dashed off after her cousin. Well, Chadwick needn't have worried. It wasn't time for her ladyship to die—not yet. Not witho
ut her wretched cousin there to watch the life drain out of her. That would defeat his whole purpose, take the satisfaction out of his revenge.
No, this visit would serve a different purpose. This visit would be to deliver his ultimate gift to Lady Breanna.
Getting inside the manor had been pathetically easy.
The guards were dashing about like frantic mice, leaving gaping holes in security. He'd made his way across the grounds, then lipped inside via the servants' quarters. He'd waited in the shadows, assessing the area to ensure it was lean Not surprisingly, it had been Lady Breanna's loyal staff was undoubtedly combing the house, room by room, looking for a sign of where their mistress had gone.
He'd scaled the stairs, then hovered in the alcove off the landing before easing his way down the hall to scrutinize Lord and Lady Sheldrake's chambers.
Scornfully, he turned away, wondering if the guards actually thought him stupid enough, amateur enough, to lunge for the door with them standing outside it. Perhaps they were novices. He was not.
He moved furtively toward Lady Breanna's chambers.
Noiselessly, he twisted the door handle and walked in.
It took him ten seconds to realize something wasn't right. The room looked far more barren than before, a sense of abandonment hovering in the air.
He scanned the room swiftly, realizing at once that the porcelain figures were gone, as were the other personal touches.
Lady Breanna had been moved elsewhere.
Rage boiled up inside him.
The little bitch had changed rooms, and she'd done so successfully, without alerting him. She'd obviously staged her regular evening routine so he'd think all was as usual.
She'd pay for this victory. Pay dearly.
Where were her new chambers?
He didn't have to rack his brain for an answer.
Chadwick. He'd moved her closer to his room, put her somewhere he could keep an eye on her.
A triumphant glint flashed in his eyes. Their little deception had just ended. Now, it was his turn to gloat.
Breanna burst into the house.
She gathered up her skirts, dashing up the stairs and down the hall to Stacie's room.
The two guards looked startled by the commotion. But, seeing who was causing it, they relaxed, very relieved to see Lady Breanna home, unhurt.
“Is my cousin all right?” she demanded.
“Yes, ma'am,” one guard replied. “We've been posted outside her room for over two hours now.”
“And no one's tried to get in?”
