They laughed again and continued on, their voices slowly fading as they filed down the corridor. Will let out a sigh and sagged against her, but just as her arms came around him, he straightened and tore his mask off.
Phoebe swallowed at the thunderous expression on his face.“That bastard,” he muttered. “That lying, scheming,hypocriticalbastard.”
“I’m so sorry.” Phoebe reached for him, but he shrugged away.
“I need to know what the hell this place is and exactly how he is involved,” he said. Then he let out a dark laugh. “‘Come to heel,’ my arse. I’ll show him what kind of dog he’s trained.”
Phoebe threw back her veil. “Will,” she hissed, but he had already started up the stairs. Phoebe scrambled after him before they lost their cover entirely. “You’re going to get caught.”
Once he reached the landing, he prowled down the hall toward the nearest door.
“Good,” he snapped. “Then perhaps I’ll get some answers.”
She grabbed his hand just as he began to turn the knob. “Look at me,” she demanded. Will reluctantly met her eyes. She could see the anger there, as well as the hurt. “I know you’re upset, but that isn’t why we came here.”
“You don’t know what that man has done for me. I always felt so damned indebted to him. And all this time…” Will shook his head stubbornly. “You don’t understand.”
Phoebe’s grip gentled. “Then help me to.”
When he met her eyes again, the guilt in his gaze was so startling she nearly stepped back. “I’ve been so stupid, Phoebe.”
But before she could respond, the door swung open to reveal none other than the infamous Maude glaring at the two of them.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Crispin and Mr. Agincourt,” she mocked. “Have you come to take France or just disrupt my evening?” As Will and Phoebe exchanged a look, Maude let out an exasperated sigh. “Come in.Now.”
Phoebe hesitantly passed Maude and entered a small sitting room that was decorated just as opulently as the room below, butin shades of pale peach and gold. Across the room, a partially open door provided a glimpse of a similarly decorated bedroom.
Phoebe turned to Maude, who was dressed to match her surroundings in a gauzy blush tea gown barely suitable for company—though perhaps that depended on who the company was. “Are these your chambers?”
The woman had been busy eyeing her outfit and immediately snapped her gaze back to her face. “Only when I’m here.”
Phoebe nodded and walked closer to the bedroom. A fire was lit in the hearth and a cream-colored silk dressing gown was draped across the bed.
She looked back over her shoulder. “Is this where you entertain your… your clients?”
Maude’s eyes went cold. “I think I much preferred you with the mustache,” she said to Phoebe before addressing Will. “And you without the beard.”
Will touched his cheek self-consciously. “I think it suits him quite well,” Phoebe said, feeling defensive on his behalf. “And I can’t say I don’t miss wearing trousers.”
Maude began to smile, then stopped herself. “Enough chitchat. Why are you following me? And before you answer, keep in mind that you aren’t very good liars,” she added.
Phoebe exchanged another look with Will and he nodded his head slightly. If they wanted to get anything out of this ordeal, they would have to tell this woman something. “I’m looking for Alice Clarke.”
Maude visibly flinched before her eyes turned to ice. “Why,” she barked. It was a warning more than a question, but this woman knew something, and Phoebe wouldn’t leave here until she got some answers.
“I am a friend who is interested in her well-being.”
Maude let out a snide laugh. “Is that so? A lot of good you’ve done her.”
Phoebe took a step forward. “What isthatsupposed to mean?”
“Phoebe…” Will murmured as he pulled her back, not that Maude seemed the least bit intimidated.
She gave Phoebe a considering look. “You’re that teacher, aren’t you. Miss Arlington—”
“Atkinson—”
“Whatever. The one giving her a lot of fancyideas,” Maude returned, her words dripping with disapproval.
