The sneer became pronounced. “My poor innocent, did you imagine, because you have heard nothing from me for a week and more, that I had abandoned my purpose? I regret that I must disappoint you. I have been revisiting the scene of our first meetings, Rosina.”
A shiver shook her. “You mean you have been to see Herbert Cambois?”
“It was necessary. The man is unreliable, to say the least. Do you know, the fool had done almost nothing to find you? I rather regretted having left the matter in his hands when I saw the announcement of your marriage.”
Had she not known it would be her undoing? But a creeping sensation of dismay began to invade her as she recognised the implication of his words. Had he spoken with her guardian before he came here?
“At first I thought he had played me false, perhaps received a higher price for you from Raith, unlikely as that seems, I admit. Happily, as we discovered, it was but a fortuitous accident.”
“Fortuitous?” She bit her lip, a riot of conjecture in her head. “How so? How do you know anything of it?”
He smiled in that smug fashion. “The trail was most interesting. One of the housemaids was able to point the way.”
“Aggie! You fiend, what did you do to her?”
Forteviot laughed. “Nothing very much. Threats were sufficient, I assure you. The rest was easy. I had primed my good friend before I left. Armed with new knowledge, I came straight on here.”
The whole hideous plot unravelled as if Rosina read it in a book. They had planned this. Forteviot and her guardian together.
“You will appreciate how important it was that Cambois held to the facts I had outlined. Hence the need to visit him again. But my anxiety was relieved. He has not failed of his part.”
“You relieve my mind.”
“Oh, bravo, Rosina! Your sarcasm is almost worthy of my own. But I fear it is an empty triumph. You will no doubt know that Cambois has sustained a visit from your husband’s lawyer.”
Rosina had known it, and guessed Ottery had given her spouse an unfavourable account. What else from her erstwhile guardian’s lips? But she had not then thought it had been a concerted plan between the two of them.
“You will thus be scarce surprised to hear your tale is told,” he pursued, in that feline manner that set her teeth on edge. “Anton was already shaken by my testimony. Though I must say his efforts to retain his faith in you were quite touching, and of better use than I had supposed.”
What was he at now? “I do not understand you.”
The smile grew, and Forteviot moved a little closer, purring. “How should you? Your naivety could never appreciate my cunning. There was always the possibility I might lose the game, for he could choose to set you aside.”
“How do you know he will not?”
“I don’t,” he admitted, with no diminution of the smugness that so much disgusted her. “If he does, I can always use you as I first intended.”
The hot words left her lips without intent, spoken from the heart. “Over Raith’s dead body!”
Forteviot laughed gently, and she instantly regretted her outburst. “Precisely. Anton Raith’s mawkish sentimentality is likely to induce him to keep you, whether or no he believed me. Which means, my dear, I shall have my money from him, or raise a scandal about his ears.”
Rosina heard him with a dawning sense of horror. Anton had given in to his need of her, which meant he must feel committed to the marriage, no matter what. Forteviot meant to profit by it. Cambois also?
“How did you enlist my guardian’s help? Is he to receive a cut of the proceeds for his pains?”
“How clever of you to guess.”
“You vile creature! You intended all along to convince Anton of my guilt. You knew he must be hurt by the story becoming known. You knew of his past sufferings at his brother’s hands, and now you will play upon his chivalry to undo him. You are despicable.”
Forteviot’s thin smile creased his lips, and sarcasm was in his voice. “Am I? How dreadful. The reflection, I am happy to say, is unlikely to deprive me of sleep.”
She wanted to slap his smug face. But she must deny herself that pleasure. The resolve was forming even as she spoke. Cost what it might, she would not allow this man to harm Anton. Pride came to her rescue.
“Rest assured my husband will be informed. Now go, if you please.”
Forteviot’s smile broadened. “By all means. I have done what I came to do. Tell Raith I will come tomorrow, to collect his note of hand.”
The first thing Raith became aware of was the too-bright light. He groaned and closed his eyes again, putting a hand to the dull ache at his brow. He was conscious next of thirst. There was a familiarity about his symptoms, and their meaning crept into awareness.
