Muffled voices came from behind the wall. On her tiptoes once more, she peered through the hole. In the middle of the library, Greene and Mrs. Campbell were deep in conversation.
“Let me see that.” Greene snatched a paper from Mrs. Campbell’s grasp and read.
Mrs. Campbell darted a glance over her shoulder, her voice so low, the words came in bits and pieces. “ . . . Manning . . . dismiss us .. . finds out.”
Anne pressed her ear against the opening and squeezed her eyes shut as if that would help her hear. Which, surprisingly, it did.
“Then we can’t let him find out.” He paused, and Anne peeked to make sure they were still there. “...knew it!”
Knew what? She wished he’d read the blasted paper aloud.
Mattie entered the library, a feather duster in her hand. “Oh, pardon me. Should I come?—”
“Leave us!” Greene barked, the tone so sharp Anne flinched.
“And close that door!” Mrs. Campbell wasn’t any kinder.
Poor Mattie backed away and hurried from the room.
With the door closed, the two continued their conversation, and, to Anne’s benefit, they no longer bothered to lower their voices.
“It would appear our newmistress,” Mrs. Campbell spoke the word mistress as if it were the worst of profanities, “is a title-seeking lightskirt.”
Greene nodded. “As we suspected from the first report inThe Muckraker.”
Hah!The lying rag!Anne stilled as Greene and Mrs. Campbell turned in her direction.
Anne held her breath and waited. She sighed—inaudibly, she hoped—when Mrs. Campbell continued.
“She’s not fit to wipe mud from Lady Manning’s shoes. God rest her soul. But what can we do?”
“We wait. Once she serves her purpose and produces a son, we make her life a living hell. Quietly of course. Without proof, Lord Manning will not dismiss us. But she isn’t made of sturdy enough stuff to withstand ill-treatment. She’ll run back to wherever she came.”
“From what I’ve heard, a child should be on its way soon enough. They’ve been at each other like rabbits. I even saw them on the folly the other day. Disgraceful.” Mrs. Campbell shook her head. “Lady Manning wouldneverhave done something so inappropriate.”
The housekeeper’s words stung like a thousand bees. Had Colin grown cool as soon as they had coupled at the folly because she hadserved her purpose?
Fists curled at her sides, Anne wished to pound against the wall, scream like a banshee, and scare the daylights out of the villainous pair. Instead, she remembered something Andrew once said. “Forewarned is forearmed.” She would catch them at their game and gather the evidence to present to Colin.
And she would take great satisfaction in doing so.
“Hide that paper,” Greene said. “I have to go make sure Alan has sealed the panel in the study. I’ve stalled as long as I can, but his lordship demanded it be completed by the time he returns today.”
Anne reeled back. Nausea, sudden and violent, overtook her.What? No! No! No!
She waited, forcing down the bile rising in her throat, until Greene and Mrs. Campbell left. With theroom empty, she frantically searched for a latch or a door. She needed to get out of there. She’d had enough adventure for one day. At least within the confined space of the passageway.
There! A seam to the left of the table with the lamp and matches. There had to be a way to exit. Slowly, she ran her hands down and next to the sides of the seam, finally finding the blessed latch.Click.
Thank goodness! When the door didn’t pop open, she gave it a little push. And harder. Harder still. She pressed her shoulder against it and used her whole body weight. The darn thing wouldn’t budge.Sealed.
She hurried back, not caring if Alan, Mrs. Campbell, or even Greene discovered her. She was Viscountess Manning, for goodness’ sakes, and she would not allow them to bully or mistreat her. This washerhome, not theirs.
When she arrived at the fork, she couldn’t remember which way she had turned. The disgusting mice had sent her speeding forward without taking care of her direction.
“Right or left?” She stood only a moment and, shuddering, remembered the dead mice. If she didn’t come across them, she would retrace her steps and go down the other way.
Only halfway up, the path was mice-free. Time was running out. She needed to get back to the study. Her heart pounded, and she spun around. The lamp sputtered out. Her throat went taut with fear.
