“Oh, yes, of course. You’ve had a long journey.”
Hugh smiled. “No need to see me out.” He turned to Lucy. “I’ll call in a day or so, Miss Kershaw.”
After Lucy returned to the drawing room, Aunt Mary drew her over to the sofa. “Your face is bruised! Did that scoundrelRattray hurt you?” Her anxious gaze roamed Lucy’s face. “I was so afraid he would—”
The thought of Rattray forcing himself on her made Lucy’s stomach lurch. “No. He didn’t. The horrid man intended to take me to Scotland and marry me there. Lord Dorchester and Mr. Beaufort arrived in time to stop him from driving away with me in his carriage.”
“Wed you? In Scotland?” Aunt Mary cried, looking horrified. “What a duplicitous rogue!” She shook her head. “What a fool I was… I had thought…”
“He gave you good reason to believe it, Aunt Mary. He was very cunning.”
“Indeed, he was. But you saw through him, didn’t you, Lucy?”
“I didn’t like him, that’s true. But I certainly never suspected him capable of such evil.”
Lucy still trembled, thinking about how Rattray had planned to hurt her father. But that was at an end, she reminded herself. The man was dead. She shivered and shoved away the grim image of his body lying, bleeding, at her feet. “He planned for us to marry because he knew, if the marquess and his sons died, Papa would inherit the title and estate.”
Her aunt looked startled. “That’s what I wished to tell you. News has reached London from Carlisle. Berwick’s two sons have died, poisoned, it’s said. But the marquess still clings to life.”
“Dear heavens!” Lucy put her hands to her mouth as her chest tightened, robbing her of breath. “Rattray was a murderer of children!” she gasped out. “He confessed to me that he was responsible for their deaths.”
Aunt Mary looked confused. “But how could he be, when he was here with us?”
“He paid a servant to poison the house’s water.” Lucy rubbed her eyes. She wanted to sleep for a week. “When I’ve rested, Aunt, I’ll tell you all of it.”
“Yes, of course.” Aunt Mary jumped up. She chewed her lip and fretted, as if eager to forget what Lucy had just said. “You’re exhausted, my dear. After you’ve had your supper, you shall go straight to bed.”
Lucy stretched. “I would love a bath.” She wanted to wash away all traces of Rattray’s hands on her.
Her aunt rose. “Of course. I’ll order Maisie to bring up the hip bath and hot water to your bedchamber.”
“Oh, Aunt, I must tell you! Lord Dorchester believes he has discovered where Anabel has gone.”
“His lordship knows where she is?” Her aunt shook her head, as though she struggled to believe it. “How? Where is she?”
“It’s not certain, but Mr. Connor has family in Killarney. Hugh believes that’s where he would have taken Anabel.”
“Then I must undertake the journey to Ireland to find her.” Aunt Mary straightened her back. At the door, she turned to Lucy. “You called the earl ‘Hugh.’” She frowned. “Lucy, I know you are grateful to him, but he is a betrothed man.”
“I shouldn’t, I know,” Lucy said, feeling she couldn’t tell her aunt more until Hugh returned. “But I have grown so fond of him.” But she wanted an end to secrecy and lies. And once they were married, she was determined to be a proper lady.
“Oh, my dear, of course you have.” She patted Lucy’s hand. “We are both very grateful to him. And I suppose for him to go all that way to rescue you, one must think he cares for your welfare. But don’t expect too much, Lucy.” She went to ring the bell. “Now for your bath and your supper.” Lucy smiled and hugged her secret to herself for just a little longer, before it became known. What would thetonmake of it?
Relaxed after her supper and the bath, Lucy settled down in bed. She went over everything that had happened in her mind. She wriggled with pleasure at what had occurred between Hugh and her in the inn bedchamber. Hugh’s kisses… He was muscular and strong and yet his hands were gentle. She loved his masculine smell. How silky his dark hair had felt sliding through her fingers.
Lucy sighed and thumped her pillow. Lucy would never tell a soul about Miss Ashton. It meant such a lot to her that Hugh desired her instead, and trusted her with his secrets. How he looked at her! The soft light of love in his eyes made her sink back and sigh. She groaned. She wished that this hadn’t come to mind. Now she would never be able to rest. But, surprisingly, as soon as she closed her eyes, Morpheus, the god of sleep, claimed her.
*
As soon asHugh walked into the house, Sarah ran to meet him. “You didn’t tell Mama or me where you were going,” she accused him.
He took his mail from the silver salver in the entry hall. “Must I tell you everything?” He eyed her, suddenly worried. “Is Mama ill again?”
“Au contraire, she’s dressing to go to a dinner party. She will be pleased to see you.”
“That’s good news. She must be feeling better. It’s just you and I for this evening, then. How about a game of chess?”
Sarah grinned. “Yes, please.” As he walked to the library for a brandy, she called him back. “I thought I’d ask Lucy to ride with me tomorrow. I’m sure Mr. Beaufort will join us if you come too.”
