“Whether you actually stole the pendant or not is irrelevant, I’m afraid.”
Helen inhaled slowly. “I think it entirely relevant.”
“If you confess, you and I,” his gaze slid over her. “Will reach an agreement for you to work off the debt of the pendant. The piece was quite expensive.”
Helen couldn’t keep the horror from her features. “But I didn’t steal anything.”
“I’m afraid I disagree. If you continue to lie about the theft, Miss Cosgrove, I will be forced to summon the authorities. I won’t sack you, instead I’ll insist that you be imprisoned for your crime.”
“My choices are indentured servitude or imprisonment.” Helen tried to stay calm, even though what she wanted was to punch Galway in the nose.
“I’m afraid so, Miss Cosgrove,” he said in an arrogant tone. “And indentured is such an ugly word.” He leered at her. “Your duties will be simple. Managing the maids. Working with Parker. And seeing to my…needs.”
Helen might well be sick. Violently ill all over Galway and his repulsive intentions. The pendant was gone and there was no way to prove she hadn’t taken it.
He placed the small pouch containing the wages representing her future in the top desk drawer. “I’ll even return your wages at the end of your…debt to me. I’m sure you’d like to think matters over before you make a decision.”
“I will never agree,” she said bravely, though her insides quivered like aspic. “I’ve done nothing wrong. Stolen nothing. Of which you are aware.”
“I’ve always admired your backbone, Miss Cosgrove. That is why I’m giving you this opportunity. Parker.”
The butler opened the door at Galway’s command.
“Please see Miss Cosgrove to her quarters. Perhaps a few days in her room will help loosen her tongue and she will confess her crime,” he said, dismissing them both.
Helen rose, biting back every bitter word. Best not to give Galway any opportunity to claim her mad or hysterical. He meant to force her into his bed and didn’t care whether she was innocent or not.
Parker led her up the stairs, past the startled servants who all looked at Helen in shock. Some with a great deal of pity. But there was nothing any of them could do, not without risking their positions.
Kate stood against the wall just outside Helen’s room, wiping at her eyes.
She gasped as Parker shoved her inside, stunned at the sight of her things strewn across the room. Her small valise had been cut apart. The sheets drawn from her bed. Even the book she’d been reading had the pages ripped out.
“You’ll be brought a tray, later,” Parker intoned. “Hiding behind Kate. Stealing. How despicable of you, Miss Cosgrove.”
“I didn’t steal the emerald pendant. You know as much, Parker.”
“I do not. I’ve never approved of you, Miss Cosgrove. When you first appeared, I recommended to Lord Galway that he not hire you but instead send you packing. How I wish he had heeded my advice.” Parker looked down his nose at her before shutting the door.
“Well I never cared for you either, Parker.” Helen said to the closed door as the lock clicked into place. Trapped. Still, she went to the door, twisting the knob futilely about. She plopped down on the bed, her head in her hands. There was no way to getword to the duchess. Or Fletcher, who likely wouldn’t be inclined to help anyway. Not after today.
For the first time in years, Helen felt truly hopeless. Alone, in a way she’d never been before. Disgusted by Galway. Her lower lip wobbled. Tears formed. She grabbed a pillow and pushed it to her face to silence the sobs lest Parker hear.
Chapter Twenty-One
Helen paced backand forth across the faded rug, talking out loud to herself, but too loud. She suspected Parker was lurking about, listening for any sign she’d break and if he heard her muttering, the butler might go to Galway, and claim Helen had gone mad.
“He’d send me to an asylum.”
Nearly three days she’d been trapped in this room. Three long days in which Parker arrived at regular intervals to bring her a tray, consisting of a piece of bread, broth and if she were lucky, tea. The bread was stale. The broth and tea, tepid at best.
She was to be starved into submission.
“Despicable,” she said of Galway. “My betters. Ha.”
She saw no one but Parker, not even Galway. He’d wait at least a week, when she was hungry, dirty and becoming desperate before he’d stop by. Galway wanted Helen’s complete surrender, but first he’d enjoy her humiliation.
“A truly detestable human being.”
