“Roger thought I’d found the watch.” Lyra whispered woodenly. By now her head was spinning. It was hard to believe that she’d been in the midst of so much conspiracy and deceit and hadn’t even known about it. “Did Richard know about you and Roger?”
“Eventually,” Elise admitted. “But he was too focused on his own needs to care, so long as it gained him the notoriety he craved. In the end, my husband was too weak to follow through.”
Lyra gasped. “Dear God. You killed him too!” Shaking her head, she breathed, “You’re mad.”
“No, just a dedicated member of reform,” Elise countered. “Granted, my motivation for assassinating the Regent is nothing so valiant or noble as tenant rights or being a voice for the poor. I couldn’t care less about the vermin of society. I fear I’m merely doing it for the prestige. Once the Prince is dead, there will be a powerful shift in Parliament, and I intend to be on the winning side. I’ll have all I ever desired at my fingertips.”
Lyra clenched her fists at the depths her sister-in-law was willing to sink to. “You won’t get away with this.”
“Won’t I?” Elise’s eyes narrowed, before she took a step forward.
“No,” Lyra stated firmly. “My husband will stop you.”
“My dear,” she said as if talking to a dim-witted child, “You have no idea how many support our venture or how far our reach truly goes.” She cocked the pistol. “Now, since I can’t have any loose ends, do you have any last words?”
It was clear that Elise was unhinged, no matter what she professed. She’d already murdered in cold bloodtwice, so she certainly wouldn’t blink an eye to do it again.
And yet…
After years of dealing with Roger’s harsh cruelty, Lyra was tired of being the victim. Against all odds, she must do what it took to protect her child.
In the end, she made a choice. Lyra could only trust that the information she’d gained from Celeste was accurate, because if not, then her plan wouldn’t have any hope of succeeding. As it was, she prayed that her voice came out calm and convincing. “I hope you’re not referring to the Bellerophon.”
It was then she saw it—the slight waver of Elise’s pistol. “How do you know about that?”
Lyra feigned a confidence she was far from feeling. “Only that if your wish was to gain an army from a ship full of prisoners bound for Australia, then it’s too late.”
“What are you talking about?” Elise hissed.
“Alister and Lord Sussex are on their way to Sheerness at this very moment with a troop of His Majesty’s soldiers.”
Elise shook her head. “You’re lying!”
“Believe what you will, but it’s the truth. You know my husband is an agent for the Crown. In fact,” she pointed out, “You were the one who toldme.”
Elise appeared puzzled for a moment before she muttered, “Lord Winthorp. They must have gotten to him…”
Lyra tried to appear unruffled as Elise glanced back up at her, but the knowledge that the viscount who she had engaged in conversation at Lord and Lady Harville’s house party was embroiled in espionage of this sort was a revelation. She had no idea that a man, who appeared to be happily married, would have fallen prey to the clutches of her sister-in-law.
“This certainly changes things,” Elise said as she lowered the gun. Instantly, Lyra breathed easier, but only for a moment. “I suppose you’ll just have to go to Sheerness with me and try to change their minds about interfering in my affairs.”
* * *
Alister returned to Eversleigh House much later than he’d intended. In fact, it was nearly dusk by the time his coachman pulled up in front of his brother-in-law’s home. Unfortunately, he’d had trouble finding the gift he’d been hoping to give Lyra. He could only hope his wife could forgive his tardiness, among all his other transgressions.
Either way, he fully intended to make amends tonight so that they might start the New Year with the promise of new beginnings.
“Welcome back, Your Grace,” the butler intoned. “May I take your coat?”
Alister handed over his outerwear. “Do you happen to know where my wife is by chance? I was hoping to have a word with her before dinner.”
“I don’t believe she’s yet returned,” Winston replied. “Although the rest of the family is gathered in the front parlor.”
Alister frowned. “Lyra isn’t here?”
“No, Your Grace. Lady Eversleigh came back from their shopping excursion alone. The duchess wished to stop at Weston House to gather a few things.”
“I see.” While it was something Alister had suggested Lyra do while he was gone, a small thread of warning began to prickle the back of his neck.
