Page 79 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Reese’s muddled head was not up for the task of dealing with all the horrors of a day that had begun hours before him.

“Who has arrived?” Reese snapped as his blood went cold and his stomach twisted. Surely Merrick wouldn’t have the cods to waltz into Reese’s home as an invited guest.

“Lady Harlow’s brother and uncle have arrived, my lord.”

They had a plan for this. The whole house was ready for this moment. But they hadn’t anticipated that a killer would be arriving at the same time.

“You’re certain, we have a day at least?” Reese barked at the man across from him. If he had a day or two before Merrick showed up, he would have time to assist Harlow with her plans and still get her away from Slains Castle before Merrick arrived.

“At least.”

Turning back to a confused Mrs. Garrison he asked, “Have you told her yet?”

“Not yet. I came directly to you. She’s still in her room. I put our guests in the morning room as planned.”

“My mother?”

“Is in the drawing room.”

“Go assist Harlow and ready the house.”

When Mrs. Garrison left the room in a hurry, Reese turned back to Collins and shook his head.

“I hope to God you’re wrong and Merrick has given up on this plot. For if he hurts her, I will gut ye. This is not how honorable men keep the citizens of Great Britain safe, and you well know it. You stay here until I return. I must go wake the dead.”

Leaving the study, Reese slipped into the drawing room.

“There you are, Reese,” his mother said before looking up from her needlepoint. She tilted her head. “Are you well? You look dreadful.”

“It was a bad night.”

“Perhaps you’ve caught whatever ails Lady Harlow, for she is not well this morning either.”

His mother was likely more correct than she knew.

“I’m sorry, Mother, I haven’t time to discuss this. Her uncle has arrived.”

His mother’s eyes went wide with surprise before she nodded.

“I’m ready.” His mother had been given a small part in this scheme. She would no doubt play it to perfection. Her brother had been sent instructions as well. They could only hope his acting skills were convincing.

His mother rushed over to the corner to grab up a lace veil and drape it over her shoulders, covering her midnight blue gown in black.

When she looked the picture of grief, she took his arm so he could lead them off to the first scene of their play.

“Let us go greet our guests,” he said.

“This should be great fun,” his mother said.

He was glad someone was looking forward to this. Reese knew when all of this was over, there would be no reason for Harlow to stay with him. He didn’t know what would happen then.

*

Harlow was sitting by the window looking out at the back gardens and the ocean beyond. She’d dried her tears hours before dawn and had a plan to speak to Reese. She had just lacked the courage to go down to see him as yet.

It was after noon and she was still hiding out in her room, the gloom of the day directly reflecting her mood. She didn’t yet know what words to say to convince the man she loved that he was wrong and she loved him.