“Bel? Bel where are you.” Lady Sophie’s voice.
Gratitude flashed through him followed quickly by disappointment.Damn, he thought.I’d have liked a few minutes more.
Chapter 12
Every fiberin Bel’s body vibrated with awareness of John close to her. “Sophie! We’re here. We’re locked in,” she shouted.
“Oh no. Ridgemont is in there with you? I came to warn you,” Sophie replied coming close to the locked door.
“How did you know? Never mind—get us out, and we can talk,” Bel replied.
“I don’t see a key,” Sophie said.
“Pray he didn’t take it with him,” John murmured.
“Wait, here it is on the table. He left it on purpose.” Soon the key rattled in the lock.
“What do you mean ‘on purpose?’” Bel demanded while she waited.
“Cecil means for you to be found. He set one of the footmen to whisper in Aunt Violet’s ear. I heard him in the hall, but when I went out—oh drat! This key is giving me fits, and I don’t think we have much time.”
“Stay calm, Sophie. Press down on the key as you turn it. It is finicky,” Bel told her. The key continued to rattle.
John put his arm around Bel’s waist and kissed the top of her head. “It will come out right,” he said. Bel turned her head into his shoulder.
A firm click signaled success. With the lock breached, Sophie opened the door easily. Before they could step out, however, a shout boded disaster.
“What is going on down here at this hour of the night,” the Earl of Harwell growled. “And what are you doing here Sophie?
“Bel,” Aunt Violet moaned “Whatever will people say?”
The sight of Lady Ancaster following the noise told Bel all she needed to know about what people might say. “I can explain,” she said.
“So can I,” Sophie cut in. “Cecil locked them in and then sent a footman to frighten you. Cecil?—”
“But what was Ridgemont doing down here in the middle of the night, and what is that room you were in?” Bel’s uncle demanded.
“It is my laboratory,” Bel said lifting her chin and daring him to criticize.
“In my kitchen?” Aunt Violet shrieked, glancing at Lady Ancaster who had been joined by Viscountess Bellachat tottering on her cane.
Hartwell pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes momentarily before pinning John with a pointed glance. “Ridgemont, we need to talk.”
“I’ll join you privately whenever you want. First, however, you need to know that Lord Cecil Hartwell has done his best to harass and humiliate this innocent woman for years. I will not have her forced into marriage.”
Of course not. He doesn’t want to be forced to marry me,Bel thought.
“It is an ungodly hour. You will meet me in the morning,” the earl replied. “Bel, get yourself to your room. You too Sophie.”
John nodded and took a step toward the circle of gawking witnesses.
“I will, Uncle. As soon as I clean up this mess,” Bel said turning to her workbench.
Aunt Violet shook herself, the ruffles of her dressing gown fluttering around her. “You will do no such thing! I will have the servants clean it up and empty it out. Your so-called laboratory will be gone.”
Bel opened her mouth to object, but knew it for the hopeless case it was. She walked, head down, past the avidly watching Lady Ancaster.
John came as close as he dared in front of the harpies. She cast him a look, bleak and helpless.
