Helena blinked at her in surprise. “You don’tknow,” she said in realization.
Uncle James reached out and grabbed her mother, pulling her back to his side. “Don’t listen to that girl anymore. She only seeks to turn you against me.”
“Lies? Me? What have I got to lie about? You threatening me? You saying that if I didn’t do as you said, that you’d kill my brother?”
“What?” Lady Downfield exclaimed, hand over her heart.
Helena’s eyes slid to her mother and she nodded. “Why do you think I stayed at the convent all these years? You yourself have said how rebellious I am! What would make me stay put for so long?”
Lady Downfield turned to James. “It’s not true, is it, James?”
“Of course not! She’s lying,” James waved his hand dismissively. “She’s trying to sow discord between us. Do not listen to her.”
“Thenwhy did I stay, Mother? Why?” Helena kept her eyes on her mother.
Lady Downfield looked from Helena to James, indecisive. “Wh-why would you say that? You didn’t mean it, did you?” she asked James.
“Of course he did. If he was willing to kill me, then why not Charlie? He’d have inherited the title then, wouldn’t he?”
“No, he cares for us!” Lady Downfield yelled, whirling on Helena and looming over her. “He cares.”
“Maybe he cares for you. But your children are just an impediment. Has he done anything to make you think he cares for Charlie? Does he tell him stories, or take him riding, or embrace him lovingly?”
Helena was just guessing, but she was willing to bet that Uncle James had never done any of these things.
“Regina…” James said, giving her mother a sidelong glance.
She shook her head. “No… tell me the truth, James. Did you threaten Charlie’s life?”
“Of course I didn’t!” he said.
“Then why did I stay at the abbey, uncle?” Helena said loudly. “What was keeping me there? Obviously I could have escaped much earlier.”
The Dowager Countess looked from Uncle James to Helena, doubt in her eyes. “James, tell me you didn’t threaten Charlie!”
Uncle James rolled his eyes. “Fine, I did it! But only to keep her in line. You know how rebellious she is! I needed her to believe that I would really harm Charlie, when I truly wouldn’t.”
“Where is he now then? Where’s Charlie? Why have you locked him away?”
“He’s not… locked away!” Lady Downfield said, but she looked uncertain.
“Are you sure, Mother?Are you sure?”
Her mother took a breath, holding it as if breathing out would be admitting that Helena was right.
“James?” she said in a small voice.
“It’s not true, Regina! Do not believe her,” Uncle James yelled.
“Mother…” Helena said quietly. “Think. Think what he did to Father, what he convinced you to do to him. Why would he be more considerate to his brother’s child? Think about it. Without Charlie, he’s the earl! He gets everything.”
“Shut your mouth!” Uncle James shouted.
Helena looked at her mother. “He will kill meandCharlie!”
Lady Downfield shook her head slowly. “N-no.”
“Regina!” James called, tugging her closer.
