“You killed my sister because you were jealous of Karrington. Because you couldn’t get someone that didn’t fucking belong to you in the first place.” Henry rushed over to him, having enough of this back and forth. He pulled the murderer up from the chair he sat on, tearing his threadbare rags. “Where is Josephine?”
“I don’t know, he was married to her!” he yelled, pointing at Windchester.
“Half of London knew my wife better than I did.” Windchester shook his head. Henry gave Bromswell a good shake.
Fear widened his eyes and loosened his tongue. “There was a friend of her father’s she often went to for funds. I believe he was a lover of hers from when she was very young. Vance was his name, I think. Perhaps she went to him.”
Henry released him roughly and turned to Windchester. “Do you know this Vance?”
Windchester grabbed his chin thinking, but then shook his head. “No, but I could write her mother, or Karrington could. She liked him much better than me.”
“Do you have any reason to believe that she would come back to London?” Karrington asked Bromswell.
“Yes.” Bromswell sneered before he turned to Karrington. “Your wife and his daughter. The two people that got away. Josephine is much deadlier than any man could ever be.”
Karrington nodded and turned to leave the cramped space.
“How fares your wife, Lady Olivia?” Bromswell dragged out the last syllables of Livie’s name causing the hairs on Henry’s arm to stand at attention.
“My wife is no concern of yours.” Karrington’s voice was hard as steel.
“How I wanted to mark that beautiful porcelain skin of hers. I would’ve fucked her into submission—”
Karrington turned and lunged toward the venomous creature. His fist connected with the man’s dirty face repeatedly. It took Windchester, the guard, and Henry to pull the duke off the now bleeding man.
Bromswell chuckled darkly as he pushed himself up off the floor where Karrington had knocked him over. “You’re no better than me, Karrington!”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Iambetter than you.” Karrington looked the man up and down in disgust. “And I hope you enjoy hell.”
“I’ve already been there!” Bromswell’s words were dark and knowing. He had experienced things that none of the other men could imagine. “Nothing is worse than being here, so I welcome death.”
“Good, because you deserve it for what you did to Lillian Cooper, Lady Evers, her daughter, and my wife. Goodbye, Easton.” Karrington walked out without looking back.
Henry gazed at the man that he had hated for the past three years and felt nothing but relief. He would finally pay for the death of Amelia.
Almack’s is sure to have a scandal or two. Word has it that Lady J and the Marquess of H will be in attendance. Is there more between them? What must the Duke of S and Lady F think? Should we all cry over the loss of the marquess? Only time will tell.
Livie only used the duchess’ for dressing and private conversations, not for sleeping. Julia was well aware that some ladies chose to sleep separately from their husbands, but that was not the case for her cousin. Julia sat delicately in her green gown, brushing her hair. A very pregnant Abigail fluttered around the room, excited over Almack’s Assembly Rooms. Only a few years their senior, Abigail had always been more of a friend than servant. She had joined the St. John family when she was just a girl herself.
“Are you supposed to be working?” Julia knew Livie had relieved Abigail of her lady’s maid duties because of her advanced state.
Abigail turned and glared. Julia loved their friendly relationship and often wished she had a similar connection with her own maid, Helena, but the woman was worse than Dayton when it came to propriety.
“I’m not leaving something this important toRachel,” Abigail said the name as if it was a curse.
Abigail had trained Rachel herself, yet somehow still found something lacking in the younger girl.
The door opened and in she walked, holding freshly polished shoes and a purple gown that looked as if it was recently ironed.
Rachel looked from Julia to Abigail, narrowing her gaze slightly on the latter. “Lady Julia, will I be fixing your hair today?”
“Yes, please. I saved it just for you. Helena is cross that I enjoy the way you’ve been fixing Livie’s hair so much.”
“Very well.” Rachel bobbed a curtsey before turning to Abigail, who ignored her completely. “Mrs. Cooper, do you require assistance?” The younger maid’s too sweet voice fooled no one.
Abigail eyed the younger woman with malice. “No, I’m perfectly fine.”
“Did I miss a message that you were the one dressing Her Grace today?” Rachel laid the gown on the bed.
