They left the cottage, and Nathaniel called the dogs to heel. “I need to know who it is.”
“There’s sure to be a way we can find out. If someone was to—”
“You will have nothing to do with this.”
Laura sighed. “What do you plan to do?”
“What I don’t intend to do is leave you alone at night. I’ll have someone trustworthy watch this place.”
“Who?”
“Ben Teg.”
“Ben is the perfect choice. He’s been at Wolfram all his life, hasn’t he?”
“Yes. He’s a good lad.”
***
At dinner that evening, Laura couldn’t prevent her gaze from straying to Rudge as she ate her dessert. His impassive manner belied his sharp scrutiny of the servants. He was too self-contained, too much the loner. It was unhealthy. Would he give vent to his repressed feelings in some way? Was it possible he exploded into violence when Amanda spurned him? Anything seemed possible. A strong aversion to the man closed Laura’s throat, and she pushed her plate away. Nathaniel seemed convinced Rudge was not capable of such a crime, but she wished the butler gone from their lives. Nathaniel must let himgo.
Laura’s corset clutched her ribs despite Agnes having laced it loosely. In another few months, she would have to have some new gowns made. Rudge hurried to pull back her chair with his spotless, white-gloved hands. His distinctive pomade smelled heavier tonight, making her stomachclench.
The next morning, Laura came down to find Nathaniel closeted in his study with Ben Teg. Moments later, he followed her into the breakfast room. He smiled at her as Rudge began to servehim.
“What did you learn from Teg? Did something happen last night?” Laura hissed when Rudge left theroom.
Nathaniel glanced over his shoulder. “Not here. After breakfast.”
She waited impatiently for Nathaniel to finish his ham and eggs. He toyed for an age with his coffee, reading thenewspaper.
Laura banged down her cup. She folded her napkin. Moments passed, and she almost burst with curiosity. “I believe your cup is empty, my lord.”
He gazed at her with heavy-lidded amusement. “You’ll spoil your digestion if you eat so fast.”
“Never mind my digestion. Come to the study.”
He folded his paper and rose leisurely. “Very well.”
Nathaniel shut the study door, and Laura stood waiting, her armsfolded.
He leaned back against the desk. “Ben took up his post behind the oak tree in the lane. At midnight or thereabouts, two people entered the cottage.”
“Who? Who were they?”
Nathaniel raised his eyebrows. “Old Rudge, for one.”
She gasped. “Rudge? Surely not. And who else?”
“Sophie, the barmaid from The Sail and Anchor.”
Laura widened her eyes. “No!”
“Yes.”
Laura put her hand to her mouth. “I don’t believe it.”
“They remained until close to dawn.”
