It’s him,Amelia thought, panic clawing up her throat.It’s my brother. He’s come to finish me off once and for all, then he’ll go after Marjory and Nancy.
A figure appeared in the doorway, faintly out of breath. She blinked, seeing her brother for a half-second, before it became clear that the figure was too broad, too stocky.
“Stephen,” she breathed.
He placed a hand on either side of the doorframe, not entering yet.
“Amelia.” There was something taut and choked in his voice. “I thought I wouldn’t find you. Thankfully, you left a trail through the woods that even a blind man could follow.”
Amelia reddened. “I thought I’d gotten lost, but this folly is on your land, isn’t it?”
“It is. My grandmother had it built when she was young and newly married. She adores the place and comes here often, hence the padded benches, the candles, the books, and so on. I’m glad you stumbled upon it. It’s a vile night to be out in the open.”
To make his point, he stepped inside, kicking the door shut behind him. It shut out the silvery moonlight, but a few tendrils of mist, cut off from the rest of the fog, curled over the floor for a moment or two before vanishing.
“What about Harry?” Amelia managed. It was an effort even to say his name.
Stephen’s eyes darkened. “Tristan has him.”
“Tristan? How did…” she trailed off, shaking her head. “I suppose it doesn’t matter.”
“It matters a little. Amelia, your brother planned to kill you.”
“No, he wanted me to kill myself.”
“And you would never have done that. Can you not see how things might have escalated? Tell me how this came to be, Amelia. You’ve always been so clear about your hatred for your brother. How on earth did you meet him? You were in hishouse. How could you have been so foolish?”
Amelia flinched, a twinge of anger shooting through her. “I’m not sure you have the right to demand answers from me.”
“Don’t I?”
“No! I might not believe Harry’s claim that you lied about his part in your abduction?—”
“I told you the truth about that,” Stephen snapped.
She lifted a hand. “I know. I believe you. It’s just that Harry was… was convincing. I suppose I wanted to believe that my brother could be redeemed. He’s my flesh and blood, after all, and there’s no denying that my father did wrong by him and the Viscountess. It’s wrong for a man to have a second family, to keep mistresses, and there can never be an exception.”
“So you wanted him to be a good man after all. I can understand that. But he was responsible for my abduction, Amelia. I didn’t lie about that.”
She nodded tiredly, hanging her head. “I know. But I don’t believe that he lied about everything.”
There was a short silence.
“And what was he honest about, then?” Stephen asked. “Come, tell me.”
She folded her arms. “I’m not sure I want to discuss it.”
He rolled his eyes and groaned in annoyance. “Don’t play games with me, woman.”
“I’m not playing games. Tell me, what is your relationship with Jane?”
He went still. “What?”
“You’ve bedded her before, haven’t you? And you’ve done it again.”
“Amelia—”
“No, I heard you!” she burst out. “I went to your room, and?—”
