“What does it mean?” he repeated, loud enough that it felt like the room shook with his question.
She was shaking as she dropped her gaze to the floor. Shaking as she swallowed hard, and then the words fell from her lips. “Mr. Barber and Mr. Huntington’s suspicions are correct. I-Iamthe Faceless Fox.”
Chapter 22
“Selina…”
It was Katherine’s voice that said her name this time, soft and shocked and hurt. Selina couldn’t bear to look at her. To see the expression that went with that tiny tone. She’d lost so much already in such a short span of moments.
“I am the Fox,” she continued. “But I would never hurt my family.”
Robert turned from her, walked away and tossed over his shoulder, “But you did, Selina. You did.”
She nearly crumpled at that. That dismissal she had earned through her own actions. That tearing away of affection that had come to mean more to her than anything else in this world. And when she looked up at Derrick, her heart broke even more.
His expression was shattered, both for her and by her. The future she’d once seen, a tiny glimmer in his beautiful eyes, was gone. Everything was gone.
Barber cleared his throat, his discomfort clear as he stepped up to her. “I appreciate your candor, Miss Oliver,” he said softly. “And I apologize for everything I will now be forced to do.”
She lifted her chin and made herself meet his eyes. “I don’t blame you for that, Mr. Barber. You have a duty to uphold. I would not expect less from a man of honor such as yourself.”
He inclined his head slightly, surprise on his face. He had not thought she would accept her fate.
“What exactlydoescome next?” Robert asked, his tone numb, still refusing to look at her.
“It is very late,” Barber said. “But tomorrow Huntington and I will transport Miss Oliver back to London. She will be turned over to the guard and we will report back to the victims of her crimes who hired us. After that, it will be up to the magistrate what will happen. Miss Oliver’s sex and her connection to an important family might be swaying factors in protecting her. And if she is willing to return any items she might still have in her possession.”
“I will hire a defense counsel,” Robert said in that same cold tone. “Perhaps you two can recommend someone of good reputation.”
“You…you would do that?” Selina whispered.
He glanced at her briefly. “To protect my family from further harm, I would do so. Nicholas, especially, could be damaged by what you’ve done. I would hate for him to lose his chance at the title he so desires, thanks to you.”
She flinched. So it was not out of love, at least not for her, that he would help her. “I see. Of course.”
“If you do not mind, Your Graces, I will take Miss Oliver back to her chamber now. She will remain there under guard until the morning.” Barber motioned to her. “Come now.”
She didn’t resist. How could she? What was happening was what she deserved. She would see it through, however it played out. Her life as she knew it was now over. And she would have to face uncertainty alone, because that was what she had earned.
Derrick didn’t speak as he followed behind Barber and Selina through the winding halls of the estate. If they passed by a servant, the person stopped to stare. He heard whispers behind doors. This was a scandal of epic proportions, thanks to the dramatic revelation in the ballroom.
And it would not stop.
But even though all evidence pointed to Selina’s guilt, even though she had quietly admitted to being the Faceless Fox in the parlor a few moments before, Derrick had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t right.
Why would Selina turn out her pocket, ahiddenpocket that no one would have guessed was in the gown at all, so casually if she knew the bracelet was there? She’d made no obvious effort to hide the piece from view or protect herself from what was to come. And she admitted she was the Fox, but declared herself innocent in the robbery of her sister-in-law. The crimes of the Faceless Fox were far more severe, so why deny this one small crime that had already seen its jewels returned to their owner? Except to protect her relationships.
But if that were the case, then he circled back to why she would do it in the first place. The robberies the Faceless Fox…Selina….had committed in the past had never seemed driven by compulsion, but were targeted events. Something carefully planned with a very specific kind of victim. Katherine didn’t fit that profile, even if her bracelet did.
Just like with the matter of the glove, Derrick felt uncertain. And he wouldn’t have true answers until he spoke to Selina alone.
They reached her chamber and Barber waited for her to open the door. She paused there, standing quietly to await orders. She didn’t argue, she didn’t declare anything. It was as if some of that beautiful spirit Derrick had come to admire had been broken by tonight. And his heart ached for her.
Even though he knew he shouldn’t feel empathy or heartbreak or…or anything else for a criminal he had hunted.
“There will be someone outside your door all night,” Barber said. “To ensure you don’t take it in your head to escape.”
“Certainly,” Selina whispered, her chin dropping. “I understand.”
