"We received an offer for this house," he said, sounding as though he was displeased.
Hope sparked within Natalie, but it was snuffed just as quickly when she recalled that the house no longer belonged to them. This must be what George felt.
"We cannot sell the house any longer because Father gave it to him," Natalie said in a monotone voice, forcing down the lump of disappointment in her throat.
"That is correct," George agreed. He appeared to contemplate for a moment before he added, “I have never seen an offer this generous.”
Hannah winced. “Why are you telling us this? Dangle the carrot and pull it away.”
“This house is ours, and you must know.”
“Who made the offer?” Natalie asked.
George frowned. “I am unsure of who it is but the offer came from a business and not an individual.”
“Can you not find out who owns the business?” Natalie wondered.
“It would be a waste of time since we no longer own the house,” Hannah huffed and sank into a chair.
“It might not be a waste of time, Hannah,” George said determinedly. “I intend to investigate the document Oliver showed me when he laid claims on the house. He did not leave it with me, but Uncle Hubert’s solicitor should know something about it.”
Her father’s solicitor had retired a year ago, but hope sparked in Natalie’s heart. If there was a chance that the house was still theirs, then she would encourage George to accept the offer.
“I cannot help but feel,” he continued, “as if Oliver’s claims are false. He will do anything to have us begging on the streets, especially lie.”
“You said that you saw Father’s signature on the agreement," Natalie remarked.
“I did, but it could have been falsified. We will know the truth soon.”
Natalie and Hannah nodded at the same time that George made another announcement, withdrawing a note from his coat pocket. “The Duke of Amsthorne has invited us to attend his birthday ball in a fortnight.”
Natalie sucked in her lips and looked away. She was confused about the Comtesse being out the night before, and why Jasper allowed it. But then she reasoned that he was not a man who acted without a purpose. There has to be a reason.It better be a good reason.
While Hannah got excited over the ball and followed George out of the room, Natalie forced a smile and pretended she was looking forward to the ball, too. In her heart, she prayed desperately for some light in their lives.
Several hours later, as Natalie was folding a dress she had finished mending, her gaze found The Londoner. She snatched it up and read the entire page, but she did not find the answer she sought there: the reason for Jasper’s actions.
She also wondered when Hannah would finally confront her about it. Her cousin had purposefully refused to speak about the Rogue since Natalie went to gamble with him. The Comtesse was revealed the following day, thus, Hannah had to have solved the puzzle. Showing her the sheet earlier must have been an attempt at confirmation.
Natalie got to her feet and decided it was time she spoke to Hannah about it. She found her in her bedchamber getting dressed for dinner.
Hannah smiled when their eyes met through the vanity mirror. “Oh, good evening, Natalie.”
Natalie acknowledged her greeting with a slight incline of her head. "Are we truly going to carry on with the game of silence, Hannah?" she asked.
"What game do you speak of, Natalie?" Hannah returned, lowering her gaze and coloring up. She reached for some flowers and tucked them into her dark hair. She had never been a convincing actress.
"Oh, you know very well what I speak of, Hannah,” Natalie insisted, sitting on her cousin’s bed.
"Very well,” Hannah whispered her next words. “I know that Amsthorne is the Masked Rogue of London, and you are his Comtesse. I know everything!" Her eyes gleamed with the revelation, and her excitement translated into her bouncing in her seat.
Hannah might know everything, but she did not seem to know that Natalie was not the Comtesse that had been seen the night before. “Why did you keep quiet about it?”
“I know you wish to protect his face, and I did not want to say anything unless you want to talk about it.”
Natalie smiled. It was most considerate of her cousin. “You did well. Did you write today’s story?”
Hannah’s head bobbed. “Oh, yes! Everyone thinks the Comtesse is the most beautiful creature to ever grace London!”
