Wrexford crept closer. The breeze stirred the shoulder capes of her coat just as he grabbed her around the waist and clapped a hand over her mouth.
Cordelia tried to scream, but he tightened his grip, muffling all but a tiny squeak.
Jerking her off her feet, he pivoted and retreated into the gloom, ignoring her thrashing punches and kicks. Twisting her around to face him, he thrust her up against a tree with enough force to knock the breath from her lungs.
Fear sparked for an instant in her eyes, though she continued to struggle.
Good. Perhaps the shock of staring Death in the face will help loosen her tongue.
Sheffield had come up beside him. He caught one of her flailing fists and leaned in close. “Hold your fire! We need to talk.”
Surprise spasmed over her face as recognition dawned. Slumping back, she went very still.
Keeping her pinned against the tree trunk, Wrexford lifted his palm from her mouth.
“T-Thank God,” she stuttered. “I feared that I might not be able to gain access to your town house.”
“Why?” he demanded. “So you could murder me in my bed?”
“Stop terrorizing her, Wrex,” snapped his friend, “and let her explain.”
Charlotte hitched in a shaky breath. “Good heavens, you really thinkImight be the Bloody Butcher and Lord Chittenden’s murderer?”
“You clearly possess the audacious cleverness and steely nerve,” replied the earl.
“Men.”She huffed a grim snort. “Just because I’m a female who dares challenge convention, that doesn’t mean I’m the Devil Incarnate.”
Wrexford suddenly felt a little ashamed of himself. He lifted his forearm away from her chest and bent down to pick up her fallen hat. “Our suspicions are based on facts, not prejudice. We have evidence that says the Bloody Butcher wears a Wellington hat.”
“So do a great many other people in London,” she replied. “And like all but one of them, I’m innocent of those ghastly crimes.”
“So you say,” murmured Wrexford.
“Let us see if she’s carrying a weapon,” responded Sheffield. “Would that put your doubts to rest?”
He arched a questioning brow. “Lady Cordelia?”
“You are welcome to do so.”
Sheffield cleared his throat. “Forgive me, but this will require me to lay hands—”
“At this point, it’s rather absurd to stand on propriety, sir.” She fixed the earl with a challenging stare. “However, I suggest that Lord Wrexford conduct the search, so he’s satisfied nothing has been missed.”
“Very well.” The earl crouched down and began with her boots. She stood with unflinching sangfroid as he worked his way upward. After patting down her shoulders, he allowed a grudging smile. “It appears I owe you an apology—”
“To the devil with my sensibilities. I didn’t come here for apologies,” replied Cordelia. “I think your friend Lady Charlotte may be in grave danger.”
CHAPTER 28
The pale Portland stone rose out of a sea of silvery mist. Two towers flanked the imposing façade of the grand villa, their crenellated battlements standing in stark silhouette against the black velvet sky.
Charlotte paused in the copse of oaks bordering the rear lawns, taking a moment to get her bearings. Justinian DeVere didn’t lack in imagination or money, she observed. Having received permission from the Prince Regent to build a personal enclave in the Marylebone Park, he had commissioned the renowned architect John Nash to design the main residence. The result was a fanciful blend of East and West.
A smile tugged at her lips. Indeed, she recalled having done a satirical drawing on its exotic excesses when the structure was first completed. But seen in the mizzled moonlight, it had an undeniable grandeur that made the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
Repressing a shiver, Charlotte moved through the trees to the west side of the villa, looking for the grand conservatory attached to the main wing. A wink of starry light from the peakedglass caught her eye, and she hurried across the gardens. A glance up showed no lights in the villa windows. She had heard that DeVere was due to spend yet another night at Kew Palace, so the servants had likely retired early.
Cocking an ear, Charlotte listened for any sounds of life. Satisfied, she found the outer door used by the barrows and let herself in.
