He swallowed the lump of fear in his throat. “You wish to killme? Do you know who I am?”
“Not to worry, Lord Tristan. I have not confused you with anyone.”
“Why do you want me dead?”
She took a step closer. “Because you are getting too close to the truth, and I can’t have you turning me in to the magistrate.”
Confusion left his brain groggy. “Are you the one who killed Lord Hollingsworth and Lord Elliot?”
“Those men had to die because of their ill treatment of their servants. You, Lord Tristan, have not beaten or raped your servants as these other men have, but you still must die. I need to continue to rid the world of people like Hollingsworth and Lord Elliot.”
“You are not making any sense, madam. I beg you, please tell me who you are.”
The lady laughed. “I see you are all out of sorts. I’m happy to know my servant drugged your rum as I’d asked him to.”
“Please, Madam. Tell me who you are.”
“You had thought Tabitha was the killer, but she’s not, and because you put ideas into the magistrate’s head, he had her arrested. And because you are giving the magistrate false ideas, you are in turn hurting my friend. I cannot have that at all.”
I know this lady!Now her voice was starting to sound familiar, but because his hazy mind was not quite alert, he couldn’t pinpoint this lady’s identity.
“Then allow me to ease your mind,” he told her gently, soothingly. “I promise you I have not gone to the magistrate with any information. I had accused Tabitha, but within a few hours I realized my mistake. I assure you, I will not speak to the magistrate until I have solid proof.”
“Not if you are dead.” She came closer.
Silently, he prayed he would be strong enough to hold her off, or at least take the knife from her hand before she stabbed him. Unfortunately, the room still tilted and he couldn’t get his bearings.
“Is it money you want? Tell me how I can convince you to leave me alone?”
A low chuckle rumbled through her. “I am not in want of money, my lord. Only revenge.” Lifting the knife higher, she lunged toward him.
Instinctively, he raised his hand to protect his face, and at the same time scrambled to get out of her way. His limbs were too slow. The sharp blade of the knife sliced through the skin on his right arm. Burning pain ripped through him, turning his stomach quicker than alcohol had ever done.
When she pulled back and raised her hand again, he took the opportunity to move away from her. Unfortunately, he feared because of his drugged stated, she would eventually overpower him.
Oh Lord, help me!
*
Diana wandered outside,unwilling to sleep. How could she when her friend was in prison?
Since the moment the magistrate hauled Tabitha away, Diana had been doing all she could to get the maid released. Both she and Claudia had been busy today, calling on people to get statements from them, and collecting anything they could that would prove Tabitha’s innocence. Most of the evening, Diana had spent talking to the magistrate, pleading with him to free Tabitha. She’d explained to him about Tabitha’s beating two nights before Ludlow had died and that she couldn’t possibly have killed him. Diana also explained how she had kidnapped Tristan and that Tabitha had been keeping watch on him the very night Lord Elliot died. So why hadn’t the magistrate believed her?
The whole day had passed in such a state of confusion and left her mind in a dither that she had forgotten to send Tristan a note. Now it was too late. But she really wanted to see him. Sheneededto see him. She needed to be in his arms while he comforted her.
She glanced toward the stable. Hopefully, Claudia wouldn’t mind if Diana took a horse. She just couldn’t wait any longer.
As she walked toward the stable, she wondered why a lantern had been left on. Perhaps a stable hand was still in there putting the horses down for the night. But the closer she came to the stable, voices rang out from inside. She couldn’t quite discern who was speaking, but whoever it was, they were arguing.
Perhaps she shouldn’t go in and disturb them. It would be hard, but she’d have to wait until tomorrow to see Tristan. But then Tristan’s voice rang through the air, strong and laced with panic, almostdemanding,her heart jumped in fear.
Something was wrong. She just knew it.
Within seconds, he cried out.
Lifting her gown to her ankles, she sprinted down the grassy slope toward the back of the stables. Finally, she reached the edge of the structure. Out of breath, she quietly tried to step toward the voices as she listened intently.
“You, Madam, are mad! If you kill me,youwould surely hurt your friend, a friend you have claimed to care so much about,” Tristan said.
