“Nonetheless, he caused trouble,” Leona said sharply, taking the handkerchief down from her forehead. “At first, I had no intention of entering the keep tonight. You warned against it, and I accepted your warning. When I realized I was being followed, I assumed it was North. It was then I decided to enter the keep because I felt I could find refuge there.”
Deveraux paced the carpet before the fireplace. “Instead, you must have walked right by North. He, thinking you were alone, decided this was a providential time to exact his revenge on you.”
“I still do not see why Keirsmyth had to act so secretively. Couldn’t he just offer to accompany me?” Leona said petulantly. She plucked absently at the folds of her ruined ball gown.
“If I had, I might have missed some crucial communication.” The marquess's tone was languid and off-handed.
“Communication!” Her head snapped up, and her eyes narrowed. “Now wait, are you implying that I did have a role in the kidnapping?”
“Not at all, my dear Miss Leonard. I am merely saying that over the years, I’ve learned to withhold judgment as long as possible.”
Deveraux winced. His friend was not calming Leona’s temper. He doubted his words would either. “Leona—Miss Leonard—I watched you leave the house. You were obviously insome rare taking. I knew something was wrong. What was it? You know I consider the keep dangerous and have proclaimed it off-limits. What made you go up there in direct conflict with my orders? Was it something to do with North?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Then would you mind telling us what it was?” he asked formally. Inwardly he winced at the coldness he heard in his voice.
She blinked and looked at him, incredulous. Did he now harbor doubts as to her innocence? Was she forever to be judged guilty without the right to prove her innocence? How dare he! And just when she was beginning to believe there was a basis for their mutual attraction.
Attraction. That’s all it must have been. His words of love were just that, words. And her feelings? Well, it was best not to dwell on those, or she’d never get out of this library, and suddenly that became the most important thing to do. Nevertheless, she was not going to make it easy for him.
“Yes, I do mind,” she shot back, “but if it assuages your tiny suspicious mind, I’ll tell you that Sharply had just informed me that Charlie is married and planning to kick me out of Rose Cottage.”
“Oh, is that all,” Deveraux said, relief draining tension from his face.
Leona sucked in air. “All? All? My life goes up in flames, and that’s all you can say? Wait a minute—you knew about Charlie, didn’t you?”
“I don’t see wha?—”
“Didn’t you?” she demanded, struggling to sit up straight on the sofa.
“Well, I guess so. Keirsmyth told me of the possibility of his marrying two months ago. I didn’t learn until today that it was afait accompli.”
“You knew!”she squeaked. “You knew and didn’t tell me?” She shook her head and placed the handkerchief against it again. “I think I should like to go to my room now,” she said in a very tightly-controlled voice.
Keirsmyth frowned and shook his head, but Deveraux ignored him.
“Of course. Miss Sprockett, would you please see Miss Leonard to her room?”
When they had both left, Keirsmyth sank into a chair near the fire and pulled out his snuff-box. “I hope you’ll not regret your actions.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve given that little filly her head, and she’s taken off. It will not be any easier next time to break her to bridle. Then, too, I think that one’s ripe for mischief.”
“What kind of mischief?”
“I don’t know, but I doubt pleasant.”
Leona surmised that they would stay in the library for some time, dissecting her personality. She didn’t care. That gave her all the more reason—and freedom—to do as she liked. She rang for Betsy and set her to retrieving her dressing gown and other items from Lady Lucille’s room, then to packing a small portmanteau for she was leaving in the morning.
“Take care of Miss Sprockett. I shall send for her and the remainder of my luggage when I have settled again.”
“But where ye goin’, miss?”
“To do my duty to my family. My brother is preparing to bring his bride home. It is my responsibility to see that all is in readiness for my new sister-in-law. Lion’s Gate has been empty for three months now. It will need a thorough cleaning.”
“How will ye get there?” Betsy asked, her eyes wide at the thought of what Miss Leonard was coolly preparing to undertake on her own.
