AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“There.” He gestured to Chastity’s sister. “She wanted coin and conjured up a false witness.”
“But do you not see? I have been speaking to women in the household. I should have been speaking to the men.”
“Or the woman lied, and we still have no idea who it was and at this rate, we shall never find out.”
“Even if she saw someone, they could have been doing anything.” He folded his arms and drew himself up to his full height. Though he was already taller than all four of the women so he could not fathom why he needed to.
“I do not think I can come home,” Chastity told her family. “I should see if I can find out anything from the male servants.”
“You were going to come home?” he asked, the words feeling hollow in his throat.
He’d nearly been free. The torment would have been over.
“I thought the maid charade should come to an end, yes.” She twined her fingers together in front of her. “But I need more time, I think.”
The faint thrill of triumph burned up through him like the wick of a candle that had been cut too long. He crushed it down. Hard. He wanted her out. Now. Sooner if possible.
“Accompany me in the carriage. Mrs. Cooke will notice your absence before long and I cannot make excuses for you.”
She took a step forward, then paused. “You can drop me off at Printer Street. I’ll walk from there.”
“Of course.”
He grimaced. Perhaps the Lord was punishing him for his many sins. It was the only explanation. Or she had finally done it and he should be put into an asylum for good. Because why in the devil had he volunteered to spend yet more time alone with her?
