Page 133 of A Devious Secret

“Oh, dear,” Lady Haddington sighed. “Do you truly think I won’t force you to talk?”

Fear shone in Lady Winsley’s eyes. “There is no need for threats… again.”

“I think there is,” Lady Haddington said. “You see, Gemma is a friend of mine, and I won’t allow her to be forced into an unwanted marriage.”

“She is far better off with Lord Hawkinge than with Mr. Wycomb,” Lady Winsley spat out.

“I disagree,” Lady Haddington said as she removed the pistol from the folds of her gown. “I will only ask once and I expect the truth. Where is Gemma?”

Lady Winsley glanced down at the pistol, her face growing white. “You wouldn’t kill me,” she said, her words lacking conviction.

Lady Haddington smiled. “You are right. I won’t kill you, but I will shoot you until you confess the truth.”

“People will come running when they hear the pistols discharging,” Lady Winsley said.

“Then I shall strive to shoot you quickly.” Lady Haddington cocked her pistol and pointed it at Lady Winsley’s leg. “Shall we begin?”

Lady Winsley threw her hands up. “Wait!” she exclaimed. “I will tell you where they are, but you must promise not to shoot me.”

Lady Haddington lowered the pistol to her side. “I can agree to that.”

“They are at the docks, near Whistleton Street,” Lady Winsley said. “Lord Hawkinge is keeping Gemma on theSwiftsureuntil they depart, but I daresay you are too late. The ship should have departed by now.”

As Lady Haddington slipped the pistol back into the folds of her gown, she said, “If I find that you lied to me, I can promise you won’t like what happens next.”

“I didn’t lie,” Lady Winsley rushed out.

Lord Winsley went to stand in front of his wife. “Why, Kitty?” he demanded. “Why would you betray me like this?”

“I was tired of one scandal after the next,” Kitty murmured, lowering her gaze.

Haddington placed his pistol into the waistband of his trousers. “It would be best if we depart at once for the docks,” he said as he walked towards the door. “We will formulate a plan in the coach.”