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If she’d ever needed her husband’s brilliant mind and calm clarity it was now.
She reached for a sheet of paper. Twice she blotted the short missive, but urgency drove her, like a whip between her shoulder blades. She sealed the note and scrawled Braden’s name across the front. Then she bolted out of her chair and out to the hall.
Stop. Think.
Pointing a finger at Baines was an enormous accusation to make. She had to be sure, or the consequences could be devastating. She couldn’t afford even the slightest niggle of suspicion or gossip to circulate at this point anywhere, starting with the foundation staff.
She took a deep breath and then strode down to Girvin’s office. The housekeeper was at her desk, doing paperwork. She glanced up with surprise before rising.
“Mrs. Kendrick, are you unwell? You look quite pale.”
Samantha dredged up a smile. “I’m perfectly fine.”
Girvin studied her for a moment. “Is there something I can do for you now?”
“Actually, I need one of the older boys to take a message to Dr. Kendrick’s clinic. Could you please arrange for that?”
“Of course. Their final class for the day should be ending shortly—”
“No, I need it done now,” Samantha sharply interrupted.
Girvin looked startled. “As you wish, Mrs. Kendrick.”
Samantha mentally cursed her lack of self-control. “I apologize for snapping at you, but I need to get this message to my husband sooner rather than later. It’s regarding a family matter.”
Girvin came around her desk. “I’ll pull one of the older boys out of the classroom right now.”
“Thank you.”
Samantha started back to her office but then turned back. “Oh, I know Felicity likes to visit with the kitchen staff, but she mustn’t dawdle today. Please send her and Donny right up when they arrive.”
“Of course, ma’am.”
Samantha strode back to her office and closed the door behind her. She tried to catch her breath as emotion battered her from every direction. If her suspicions were true, she’d been criminally stupid in missing it.
Arthur had been her friend when she’d had almost no one else. The idea that he could have so thoroughly betrayed her—betrayed Roger—made her stomach churn.
She forced herself to once more start combing through more minutes and records. As the minutes passed, her conviction—and horror—grew. Now that she knew what to look for, she could spot Arthur’s hand behind so much. With the exception of Braden and John Blackmore, Arthur had recommended the appointment of every other board member in the year following Roger’s death.
When the casement clock on the mantel sounded the time, Samantha jerked up her head. Almost an hour had passed since she’d handed Girvin the note. Braden should be here by now, as should Donny and Felicity.
She rose and started for the door, then breathed a sigh of relief when she heard heavy footsteps. Donny and Felicity, no doubt.
“Goodness, you’re late,” she said as she opened the door. “Where have you—”
Samantha gasped as Donny staggered toward her, blood smeared on one side of his face. Shocked, she quickly braced her hands against his shoulders.
“Donny, what happened? Where’s Felicity?”
“That she-devil must have taken her,” he rasped out.
“What? Who?”
“Girvin. She coshed me on the head when I wasn’t lookin,’ and when I came to, Felicity was gone.” His face contorted. “I’m sorry, my lady.”
Samantha helped him to a chair. Donny thumped down, looking like he was going to faint.
“Where did this happen?” she asked, fighting a rising tide of panic.
