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Chapter Sixteen
“We ought to be getting back,” Selina said, standing up. Jasper walked her and Faith back to the stables.
“So,” he said, “see you for the riding expedition tomorrow?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Yes, of course.”
He kissed her hand, his eyes lingering on hers. She didn’t want to leave him, and when he begged her to stay, she couldn’t help but fold. The only thing to do was to wait for her brother’s response. Then, she would make a decision.
When they arrived back at the house, though, Mr. Wickes was waiting for their arrival. He opened the front door as they approached.
“My Lady,” he said gravely. “Your Uncle requests your presence in his study.”
Selina had a sinking feeling. She and Faith shared a look. She sighed.
“He wants your lady’s maid to come, as well,” Mr. Wickes said.
“This isn’t good, is it, Wickes?”
“No, My Lady, it is not,” he said pausing. He turned to her. “You know, My Lady, I cannot help but notice that you receive letters in the Duke’s own hand, prior to your disappearances from the house.”
Selina froze, her stomach making a little flip.
“I will not say anything, My Lady, as it is youraffair,” he replied pointedly. “But I cannot promise the secrecy ofotherswho work at Kirby Hall.”
“Understood, Mr. Wickes.”
He nodded, then began to walk down the hallway.
She straightened her back, raised her chin, and then followed Mr. Wickes down the hall to Uncle Latimer’s study. Faith followed after her, silent as ever.
“Your niece, My Lord,” Mr. Wickes announced at the door.
“Come in, Selina,” her uncle said. He was standing behind his desk. “Have a seat.” His tone was gruff—Uncle Latimer was rarely angry.
Selina sat, while Faith stood by the door.
“I’ve noticed that you’ve gone out, yet again,” Uncle Latimer said. “I thought you had more sense than that.”
“I—” she began, then found that she couldn’t bring herself to say that she’d been meeting Jasper. Her uncle was already angry—angrier than she’d ever seen him. She couldn’t bear to tell all.
“To be going out walking with only your lady’s maid, when you are well aware that a lady was murdered,” Uncle Latimer thundered. “Is completely reckless of you.”
Selina hung her head. The truth was even worse. She had been meeting a gentleman—an engaged gentleman, who was supposed to wed her own cousin.
“I thought you had more sense,” he said.
“I’m sorry, Uncle,” Selina replied, sincerely. “I shouldn’t have left.” She regretted it—she regretted causing him to worry. Particularly since she hadn’t been alone, and had been safer than he thought.
“You will not stir from this house unless you are accompanied by someone who is armed. Since you are in my house, your safety is my prerogative, particularly now, when noble ladies are being targeted.”
“Of course, Uncle.”
“What could have possessed you to go out of the house?”
Selina’s mind spun. She couldn’t lie to Uncle Latimer. But she couldn’t tell him the truth, either. She settled for a shrug. “Some type of madness, I suppose.” Close enough.
“I thought that you had common sense, Selina,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m going to write your father about this.”
