“Two more,” Leah admitted. “A maid locked in the pantry and my brother, Henry, is secured in my sitting room. I regret that he took any part in this nightmare. I apologize profusely on his behalf.”
“You were not any part of it,” the queen said in a regal tone. “I don’t expect you to offer recompense for his sins. Come. Let’s get out of this drafty cellar and return to more comfortable surroundings.”
Leah couldn’t agree more. “Of course, Your Majesty. I quite agree.”
As they returned to where Bernard had fallen, Leah noticed that his body was no longer there. Signs that he had been dragged somewhere were evident in the trail of dark wine. She also noted that Harlan was nowhere to be found. She knew that he’d taken care of the body for the queen’s sake, but she would like to know where he’d gone.
Keeping her innermost thoughts to herself, Leah did as Harlan would have expected and escorted the queen back upstairs.
The palace was soonin an uproar as the servants had finally been apprised of the circumstances that had taken place this evening. As soon as the queen appeared, she was whisked away from Leah and rushed to her chamber. Wellington was there and made an attempt to inquire to Leah’s welfare as she sank down onto a nearby chair in the middle of the hallway, still attired in her nightdress and robe, both of which were filthy with a mixture of grime from the cellars, as well as wine and blood.
“I shall be well enough after a restorative bath and a change of clothes,” she said. “But I’m more concerned about Harlan.”
The duke frowned slightly as he was joined by the rest of Harlan’s men. They must have overheard the exchange and come to investigate. “What happened?”
She released a deep sigh and glanced about before she recounted the events in the cellars.
“I see.” Wellington was stone faced as he absorbed this information.
“I will go look for him,” Hugh interjected. “I’m sure he’s taking care of—” He stopped and looked grimly at Leah. “Mr. Bernard.”
“I’ll go too,” Benjamin said firmly, and together the two men departed.
Wellington also took his leave to check in on the queen, leaving Leah alone with Lucas. “Here we are alone together again,” she noted in a sorry attempt at a jest. However, she was too weary to actually follow through with a good dose of laughter that was certainly needed.
“Indeed, we are,” he remarked softly, and then he glanced out the large windows that faced the east. “The sun is just starting to make an appearance.”
“No wonder I’m so tired,” she said, her head falling against the back of the chair.
“Once the queen has been settled, I’m sure that the servants will attend to you.”
Leah waved a hand. “I’m perfectly fine. To be honest, I’d rather just go home—” She stopped abruptly, because she realized she didn’t have anywhere to go that she could confidently call home any longer. “How strange that I don’t seem to have one.”
“Harlan might take offense to that statement.”
“Why?” Leah asked. “Has he said something to you to make you think that? Because he hasn’t spoken a word to me.”
“Stubborn bastard,” Lucas grumbled, before he looked at her directly. “Now that the threat to the queen has been silenced, he will speak with you, I’m sure of it.”
“I just need to be patient?” she guessed.
Lucas offered a slight smile. “I always knew you were an intelligent woman.”
“I have my moments.” she shrugged. “I wonder how Agnes is faring.”
“Hugh told us that she is safe with a relation in Nottingham.” Leah’s brows rose and she sat up a bit straighter at this news. “He wouldn’t allow Lindquist the chance to retaliate against her should he escape, so he ensured she was protected.”
Leah reached out and took his hand, giving it a friendly squeeze. “Thank God for that,” she murmured. “I shall be indebted to his kindness on her behalf. I truly believe that she is without fault in all of this.”
“I am inclined to agree with you,” he concurred. “With the fate that will befall your brother after this, at least your mind can rest easy knowing she will not suffer at his hand.”
She closed her eyes. “I can’t believe he was the one we were after all along. Family or no, he was a traitor to the Crown, to his very country.”
“And he will pay the price for his crimes, likely with his life,” Lucas added gently.
After that, they fell silent for a time, until Leah’s appointed ladies’ maid approached her. “Miss Lindquist, your chamber is ready if you would like for me to assist with your bath. The queen was most insistent that you be taken care of posthaste.”
“That was kind of Her Majesty,” Leah said with a slight smile as she opened her eyes. She glanced toward the corridor that Hugh and Benjamin had traversed, but there was no sign of them yet—or Harlan.
