Then the maid darted past the footman, but collided with John, who’d appeared in the doorway.
“Mind how you go, young Susie,” he said, catching her wrist. “Hasn’t Mrs. Brougham said that…” He glanced at Charles. “What the devil’s happened, sir? You look as if someone’s died.”
The knot of fear in Charles’s stomach turned to ice as he motioned with his hands.
My wife’s missing. I think this girl knows where she is. Do not let her go.
John steered the maid into the room.
“Let go, you’re hurting me!” Susie cried.
I’ll do a damned sight more than that if my wife’s in danger.
She stared at Charles’s hands, then burst into tears.
“It wasn’t me!”
“What wasn’t you?” John said.
She glanced from John to Charles and back again. “I-I mean…wh-whatever it is you think I’ve done.”
“What do you think we suspect you of having done, Susie?” Jacob said.
“Pleasedon’t hurt me!” the girl cried. “I-I didn’t mean no harm!” She glanced toward John. “Mr. Richards, tell the master I’ve been with you all day seeing to the mending. You saw me, didn’t you? I don’t want to die!”
Charles approached her, and she burst into tears.
“Excellent work, brother, frightening a child,” Jacob said.
“What, by merely looking at her?” John said. “You don’t know your brother at all, if you think he’d stoop to hurting a girl.”
“B-but she s-said he’d…” Susie began.
“She?” Jacob said. “You mean your mistress?”
“No, Lady Devereaux’s never said a word against the master. It w-was my sister.”
“Nicola?” Jacob said. “What did she say?”
The maid shook her head, her trembling becoming more violent.
Charles moved his hands.Fetch the child a brandy before she faints.
“Bring a brandy for Susie, would you, Colin?” John said.
The footman nodded and disappeared.
Let her sit, John. Then ask her where my wife is.
The valet steered the maid to a chair.
“I can’t sit in the master’s presence!” she cried. “Nicola said—”
“Nicola has been saying a great deal too much, Susie,” Jacob interrupted. He kneeled beside her and took her hand. “Why don’t you tell us whatyouhave to say?”
“I…I can’t.”
“At least tell us where your mistress is,” John said. “That’s all we want to know.”
