Of course, it didn’t help that she was the one who ruined his reputation when she showed up to his brother’s wedding the other day. If she had left well enough alone, perhaps Collin wouldn’t have thought twice about his dead cousin’s small country estate. If only she could wake up tomorrow and realize this had all been a terrible dream. Unfortunately, she had made one mistake after another. Returning home was best, even if she didn’t want to live under her father’s thumb.
“But mistress.” Dora stood and touched Cassandra’s arm. “You cannot give up. I believe that if you help us force him to leave, then the others will see you in a different light. They will respect you.”
Cassandra arched an eyebrow. “Force him to leave? Pray tell, how are we to do that? He is still recovering from his injury. If the doctor were here, he would tell us that Lord Kentwood needs to stay and finish his recovery.”
Dora hitched a breath, and her eyes widened. “That’s it.”
“What isit?”
“Let us send for Doctor Hadley. If the good physician thinks Lord Kentwood has healed, then he won’t have any reason to stay.”
Cassandra didn’t want to tell her housekeeper that Collin would stay as long as she was still here, which was another reason she must leave. Today.
“Dora, I beg you, just help me pack. You can summon the doctor, but I fear it won’t matter. I’m still leaving.”
The housekeeper released a heavy sigh and frowned. “Will you allow me to go with you?”
Cassandra tried to smile, but it was difficult. “Until I am given a fund to manage, I cannot pay you if you go with me. My family is penniless. The only thing that has changed since I married a year ago is that I can send my mother and sister money.”
Dora nodded and lowered her gaze. “I understand.”
“But you can do something for me right now.”
The housekeeper’s focus jumped back to Cassandra. “What is that, my lady?”
“Please summon both the doctor and the constable.”
The woman’s expression changed to surprise. “Why the constable?”
“Don’t tell me you have forgotten already.” Cassandra shook her head. “The person who attacked Lord Kentwood is still out there. They need to be caught and arrested for purposely striking a lord.”
“But…” The woman wrung her hands again. “What if it was an accident?”
Cassandra narrowed her eyes on Dora. “How could it be an accident? Lord Kentwood was atop his horse and was struck with a thick tree branch.”
Dora shrugged. “I don’t know how, but like you said, why would a servant purposely attack a lord of the realm, knowing what could happen if they were caught?”
Cassandra’s curiosity heightened, and she stepped closer. “What do you know about his accident?”
“Nothing, my lady.”
Because of the servant’s voice lifting, Cassandra knew the woman was lying. Dora knew something, and it was up toCassandra to find out what. But she couldn’t bring suspicion to herself. She must make the housekeeper believe she didn’t care.
“Fine.” Cassandra flipped her hand in the air. “Please hurry and send for the doctor and constable, then you can return and help me pack.”
Dora curtsied and moved toward the door. She stopped and rested her hand on the knob. “Do you think Lord Kentwood will ask about you? I mean, look at the way you ran away from the music room this morning.”
Inwardly, Cassandra groaned. Of course the servants would know what happened. All of them had been too nosey for their own good.
“If he wants to see me, tell him I’m indisposed or something. Tell him I don’t want any visitors for the rest of the day.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
After Dora left and closed the door, Cassandra frowned. Her housekeeper was possibly involved with Collin’s attack. However, she didn’t want to worry about it. Once the constable arrived, she would turn the matter over to him. Hopefully, the man would keep Collin busy so that she could leave without him noticing.
Fortune had never been on her side, but she prayed it would be today. He could not see her leave, because he would certainly try to stop her.
*
