“I think someone is afraid Kenna’s nightmares will eventually name her father’s murderer.”
Nick laughed but there was nothing amusing in the sound. “Then that would make you the prime suspect. Kenna has never stopped saying it was you with Father that night.”
“I know. But I didnotkill him, Nick.”
“I wasn’t saying that.”
“No. I know you weren’t,” Rhys said wearily. “The fact remains that Kenna is. She has already accused me of laying the trap and strangling Old Tom. If she knew that Pyramid’s girth had been tampered with she would find a way to lay that at my door also.”
“But you weren’t even here then.”
“I could have hired someone,” Rhys said to play the devil’s advocate.
“You tied the attempts on her life to her nightmares. How could you have known about the one six months ago, or even the most recent one?”
“Someone on your staff is in my employ. Kenna’s restless nights are no secret among the servants.”
“This is ridiculous,” Nick said heavily.
“I agree. But there it is.”
Nick frowned, his sharp blue eyes leveled on Rhys. “There what is?”
“I have reason to believe someone on your staff is collecting a salary from your father’s murderer.” Rhys thought of the night walker, but held his tongue. There was no way he could tell Nick of last evening’s rendezvous on Dunnelly land. He was certain there was a connection between the attempts on Kenna’s life and the business in the cave, but the proof would be long in coming, if it ever did. “If Kenna comes too close to remembering the details of the night of the masquerade, I’m certain he has orders to kill her.”
“But Kenna only discusses her nightmares with me,” Nick protested. “And I only discuss them with Victorine.”
Rhys could see that Nick was being swayed. His protest lacked conviction. “Are you certain Victorine has never mentioned them to a servant? Or Kenna?”
“Victorine? No, she would never discuss such a personal matter with one of the staff. You know her well enough to know that is true. She would never think of it. But Kenna…” He paused thoughtfully. “Kenna has never been particularly discreet with her personal maid or those servants she counts as friends. I never considered before that she might share something with any one of them.”
“Then you admit she may.”
“As you said, it’s possible. Poor Kenna. She will be so hurt if she finds out someone she trusts is not her friend.”
“I don’t want her to know,” Rhys said quickly. “Not yet. It’s imperative that we do not allow this person, whoever he is, to get his guard up. Kenna would give herself away. Can you promise not to say anything to her about my suspicions?”
“Is that what you really want, Rhys?” Nick asked with insight. “She’ll continue to hold you responsible. That can’t be easy for you.”
“It’s what I want…for now. I can deal with Kenna.” He smiled ruefully as he took a bite of buttered toast, now stone cold. “At least I think I can. What I need from you is patience and no small amount of cooperation.”
“You have the latter. The former will take some doing.”
Rhys nodded, expecting the answer he got. “I want a list of all the people who attended the masque. Can you make me one?”
“I suppose,” Nick said slowly, “though my memory may not serve me. Itwasnearly ten years ago. If I may speak to Victorine of this matter, she can assist me. After all, she helped my father draw up the guest list.”
“By all means, speak to Victorine,” Rhys said easily. “But no one else. Victorine will want to help and it’s important she knows what is happening to Kenna. Until I can find a satisfactory way to protect your sister, it remains for the three of us to be watchful.”
At that moment the door opened and Victorine glided into the breakfast room. She looked radiant in a pale rose morning gown and matching kid slippers. She gave Nick and Rhys an arch look before she turned to serve herself from the sideboard. “It is in the worst possible taste to stop talking when a woman enters the room. It is bound to make her think you were discussing her.”
Rhys rose and held out a chair for Victorine, giving her a kiss on her smooth, unlined cheek as she sat down.
“Rogue,” she said teasingly, patting the hand that rested on the back of her chair. “But don’t think I’ll be put off. Now what exactly were you men discussing?”
Rhys smiled, looking over Victorine at Nicholas. “I’ll leave this very lovely lady in your hands, Nick. I’ve no strength to withstand her interrogation.”
Nick nodded. “Where are you going now?”
