Lord Harry shrugged. ‘The fool. I never asked him to do that. It’s his fault. He wanted the money, the prestige, but lacked the stomach for the means.
‘When he started talking about “cleaning himself up,” about marriage and respectability—well, he deserved what he got.’
Grace pressed further. ‘So, he was not an accomplice? What about that pocket watch? He was the one who wanted a replacement.’
Lord Harry laughed again.‘Oh yes, your feeble attempt to find out who made the watch? Yes, Miss Skye, I was on to you! I led you to the watchmaker on purpose.
‘When I returned to London, I realised my watch had broken off, so I stole Edward’s one.’
He laughed again, as though it were all a great joke.
Heather stared at him, appalled.‘So, you framed your brother?’
Grace’s voice sharpened. ‘He sacrificed himself for you. Do you have no remorse?’
His expression twisted into rage.
‘Shut up, you whore! Do not tell me what I should feel!’
A deathly silence fell in the carriage.
No one spoke.
The air was thick with tension.
The sisters sat frozen with terror, while their captor seethed in fury.
Grace’s mind was racing.
She needed an opening.
And then—
Fate intervened.
The carriage veered onto a narrow lane, forcing the driver to slow down.
This was it.
Without hesitating, Grace seized the blade end of the sword that was pointed towards her sister. A struggle ensued. Lord Harry, caught off guard, cursed as he tried to wrest back control. But Grace pressed her advantage—and kicked him hard between the legs.
Her sturdy walking boots did more damage than intended.
Lord Harry howled in pain, doubling over with a strangled groan, clutching himself as he swore viciously at her.
Grace seized the moment.
‘Heather, open the door!’ she shouted.
Heather obeyed instantly, fumbling with the handle. As the door swung wide open, Grace gave an almighty shove—and both sisters tumbled out of the carriage, landing hard on a grassy embankment before rolling down the slope.
The world spun as they hit the earth, tumbling through tangled brambles and damp undergrowth. Dazed but uninjured, Grace blindly grasped for her sister, yanking her to her feet.
‘Run!’she gasped.
Without looking back, they sprinted into the thick woodland, knowing full well that the carriage could not follow them on such treacherous terrain.
But they were not safe yet.
