Thankfully, Mr. Featherspoon’s life had ended and he would have to explain himself come judgment day. And one day when all of this was over and she knew those she loved were not going to be harmed by Macgregor, she would find a way to sendthat evil manto meet his Maker, as well.
When Louisa came upon the dowager’s estate, she slowed the mare until she reached the back door to the servant’s quarters. She dismounted then crept inside the house. The kitchen sounded busy, so she avoided going near that room. Voices came from the dining room, and when she heard Trevor, her heart pitter-pattered. Having these kinds of feelings was not healthy, but she would always treasure the way she felt whenever he was around.
It wasn’t hard to find the backstairs, so she hurried up toward the dowager’s chambers. The manor was grand—although not as lovely as Trevor’s. Still, Louisa found the double doors leading into the dowager duchess’s room easily enough. A low fire in the hearth gave her light, and as she crept into another room, the lamps were turned low as well. The dowager had plenty of lovely things decorating her walls.
Louisa unfastened her bonnet and laid it on a chair. Sadness grew inside her for what she was about to do, and she said a silent prayer the Lord would forgive her because she knew for certain Trevor would not.
The first thing she found were empty satchels that Louisa knew dowagers liked to carry with them when they were out in public. These would help Louisa to carry the jewels and hopefully hide them better when she left the manor.
Once she located the jewelry boxes, Louisa stared, unable to move. So many lovely necklaces that were costly. So manyrings, and brooches, and watches. If Macgregor even realized the dowager had this many pieces of jewelry, he’d have all of his children stealing from her constantly.
With a shaky hand, she picked up the closest necklace, heavy with rubies and diamonds.I cannot do this,her heart screamed, but reason told her shemust.It was as if an invisible hand tried to snatch the item back in a game of tug-of-war, but soon she brought it to the satchel and dropped it inside. Tears burned her eyes and grief burdened her already achy chest as she shoved two more necklaces in the small bag.
Several voices in her head grew louder and clashed, some encouraging her to take the jewels, others begging her not to. The vision of Trevor’s handsome face formed in her mind. He smiled at her; lovingly caressed her cheek, and tenderly kissed her with so much emotion. Then she saw the twins. Their cherubic faces looking at her for help as Ms. Jacobs made them march, and then their expressions glowed when Louisa became their nursemaid. Trevor and his children trusted her. Completely. Without question.
“I cannot do this,” she muttered. “I willnotdo this!”
Wearily, she leaned against the dresser. She was not Louisa Hamilton the thief. Not any longer. She could not steal from the people she loved. There had to be another way to stop Macgregor. He wasn’t expecting these pieces of jewelry for a few more days. Surely, if she confessed to Trevor, he would be able to help her. Between the two of them—and perhaps his brother and Lord Hawthorne—they could come up with a solution to the problem. Would Macgregor really know she had told Trevor? The evil man couldn’t spy on her every moment of the day.
Feeling better about her decision, she placed her hand back inside the satchel to withdraw the necklaces, but a noise from the other room startled her. She jumped and turned toward the sound. A man stood at the door.
Trevor.
Her heart sank, and her knees shook. Standing in the doorway, his narrowed eyes switched from her to the jewels in her hand. A frown marred his handsome face as sadness and distrust deepened his gaze.
“Trevor, this is not what it looks like.”
“It looks like you are stealing from my mother.”
She placed the jewels on the dresser and hurried to him. “Trevor, please, let me explain,” she begged, clutching his overcoat.
Disgust deepened his expression as he peeled her hands away from his body as if she were a diseased leper.
“What could you possibly explain? Here I am, trying desperately to find your past while you are sneaking around behind my back and stealing from us.”
Her heart broke and tears streamed down her eyes, blurring her vision. “No, Trevor. You don’t understand. Macgregor made me—”
“Indeed, I’m certain he did.” He pushed past her and lifted the jewels, letting them spill between his fingers back into the satchel. “Take these to Macgregor and go back to his band of thieves.” He shoved the bag in her hands. “And tell him he’s done a fabulous job turning a lady into a criminal. You are certainly thebestthief—and deceiver—I have ever come across.” Trevor took a deep breath. “Now please leave this house before my mother sees what you have done, because it would surely break her heart as it has mine.”
Louisa fell to her knees and clutched his trouser leg. “No. Please listen to me. Don’t do this, Trevor—”
“And donotcall me that name ever again.” He pushed her away. “Leave now before I summon the police and have you arrested like I should have done the first time I met you.”
Her world crumpled down around her worse than she could have ever imagined. Sobbing, she lifted herself off the floor and fled out the door as fast as her unsteady legs could carry her.
Chapter Thirty
Richard Macgregor satat his desk inside his tiny office, reading the missive that had just been delivered. He grinned and wanted to shout with happiness. Things couldn’t have gone any better if he’d planned them himself. Then again, mayhap he had planned it without really knowing.
Of course he had. Chuckling, he glanced at the letter in his hand.
Mr. Macgregor. I have thought over the brief conversation we had outside my uncle’s home yesterday, and I have come to a decision. I will take over where my uncle left off only on one condition. Youmusttake care of Louisa Hamilton. Six years ago my uncle promised he would not harm my friend but take her far away so her family would never see her again. Now I find she is back and her family is becoming suspicious. I still do not want my schoolmate harmed, but please take her far away from London as quickly as possible. Once this has been resolved, I will find children to work for you as my uncle had. Meet me outside the front steps of the hospital tonight at seven so we can discuss this agreement. Regards, Miss Eliza Watson.
Smiling, Richard pulled away from the desk and gazed out of the window. The evening shadows played in the dark corners ofthe unlit streets as people scurried inside buildings or to their carriages. Fortune shined upon him for the first time in weeks. Things were coming together nicely. Soon Louisa would be in his grasp once again and doing his bidding as always. He would keep the two women away from each other, because he did not plan on sending Louisa away as Miss Watson had requested. His brilliant pupil was much too valuable for that. But now he knew how to blackmail both women to get his way.
Shuffling footsteps grew louder coming from the other room. Richard turned as David ran in, huffing from exhaustion. Moisture dampened his dirty brow and made hair stick to his skin.
“What are ye doin’ here? Yer supposed to be at the Kenbridge estate watching Louisa.”
