“I find that difficult to believe. You are wearing the exact same clothes you changed into when we returned yesterday, and the maids tell me you did not return to your chambers last night.” Catherine took another step toward him, her fingers twitching even as her hands remained folded across her chest. “We promised not to lie to one another.”
Guilt washed over him, and he swallowed, turning away from her piercing gaze. “Sleep eluded me, Catherine. I thought I might as well do something useful with my time.”
“One could argue that resting is a good use of one’s time.” Was that exasperation or amusement in her voice?
A part of him wanted to turn, to look at her, but every time he did, he had to fight the urge to pull her close, to breathe in the smell of her and growl his fury at the world. It was an indulgence he could not afford.
Alaric made a noncommittal noise and saw her frown deepen. “Mr. Wilkins and I were just discussing Marina. The hounds have been unable to pick up a scent, and though no horses are missing, several carriages left the village yesterday.”
“I feared that might be the case. She could be anywhere by now.” She perched on the end of his desk.
“Given she has tried to kill me twice, I suspect she has not gone too far. No doubt, she will not move until she knows I have.” He gritted his teeth.
“Twice?” Catherine’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“I told you of my suspicions about the carriage crash. I am convinced it was no accident, and that it was her hand behind it.” Alaric let out a long, low sigh. “I do not like to think of the staff colluding with her, but I cannot rule it out. There are some whose loyalty is beyond question, and others… Well, I suppose every man has his price.”
Catherine shuddered and wrapped her arms more closely around herself. “It seems the list of who we can trust grows increasingly small.”
“It does.” Alaric realized he had taken a step toward her and hurriedly shifted his weight, moving toward the fire and tossing a log onto it. “How is Oliver?”
“He is a little shaken, but taking it well, all things considered.” She glanced upward and let her hands fall to her side.
The sunlight framed her face, making her seem like a work of art brought to life. He felt an urge to go to her, to brush the stray lock of hair behind her ear, and that terrified him. His voice was hoarse. “Children are often more resilient than we expect.”
“I wish he did not have to be so. Though I think you showing him those secret passages has helped him feel more secure. I suppose we should consider other measures while his mother remains on the loose.” Catherine’s lip curled in disgust at the word mother, as though it were the most unpleasant thing she could imagine.
“I have arranged staff to watch the doors, but there is still a chance she will slip through. If she changed her appearance enough or took advantage of a particularly busy time of day, she may yet sneak in.” The thought made his blood run cold.
I cannot keep them safe, not while they are here.
“And I suppose she does not even need to enter the castle to cause harm. She could hide in the forest or further away.” Catherine shuddered and placed her hand on Alaric’s desk.
“Bath is not safe. There is too much space here, too much I cannot see or control.” He drew in a deep breath and looked away from Catherine, not trusting himself to do what needed to be done while she looked at him with her intense gaze. “You need to go to London at once, and to take Oliver too. I have asked Hale for the loan of one of his carriages—that should allow you to travel without attracting Marina’s attention.”
Catherine nodded, a finger on her lips. “If we swap to another carriage halfway, that will help hide our trail . We could stay at the Fox and the Hound. I know the owner, and he is a discreet man. Though I think it best that we all remain in one room.”
“Catherine…” His heart sank.
She does not realize that she must go alone.
A part of him roared not to correct her. He could feel himself getting drawn into her excitement, feel the seductive pull of her words.
We could stay together.
“We should travel light— after all, we can buy more clothes in London, and that way, we might be able to throw that devil woman off our trail even more. Maybe we could also send carriages to some of our other properties!” Catherine’s eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands together.
Alaric’s chest felt as though a vice was closing tightly around it. He felt himself reaching toward her, felt his mouth quirking into a smile, and shook his head.
“I am sure we could ask one or more of Fiona’s brothers to put word out that we are staying at one of their estates up n orth.” Catherine took his hand in hers, and Alaric felt a rush of warmth spread through him. “We can do this. We can make this work!”
He wanted to go with her, but his father’s laughter echoed in his head.
‘You are just like me.’
“No.” He pulled himself out of her grip, his voice harsher than he had meant it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her recoil. “I cannot do this.”
He was breathing heavily, as though he had just run several miles. Catherine’s eyes were wide, and she had a hand on her chest. “What do you mean?”
