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A spark of defiance flickered in her core then surged forth. She squared her shoulders and tilted her chin. She’d not cower and beg. Nor would she flee. She would hear the words from Ian’s mouth before she passed judgment, though the scales didn’t weigh in his favor at present.

Mrs. Tannsen came alongside her and slipped an arm through the curve of Vangie’s elbow. Her voice low, she murmured, “We’ve been brought to point non plus, my lady. We’ve no other recourse but to do her bidding.” With the merest movement of her head, Mrs. Tanssen indicated the dowager. “She can have us removed, though Master Ian would promptly reinstate us upon his return.”

In two weeks.

“We need to be here, though.” She gave Vangie’s arm a small, reassuring squeeze. “It’s the best way to protect you.”

Jasper moved to her other side. “We cannot shield you from her if we’re banned from the premises.”

“Stop your twattling, and remove the chit from my sight, or I shall dismiss you.”

The butler turned and bestowed a withering glare on the crow in black. He started to speak, but Vangie gripped his arm.

Shaking her head, she said beneath her breath, “Please, don’t anger her further. I need you.” She turned her gaze on Mrs. Tannsen. “Both of you.” Even as she spoke the words, Vangie realized they were true. Her mother-in-law wasn’t just being spiteful. She was evil and, Vangie feared, dangerous if crossed.

And what of Ian? She earnestly wanted to believe he’d not subject her to such humiliation. But whatever was the dowager referring to when she’d mentioned the arrangements he insisted upon? She grudgingly acknowledged she’d already seen her husband’s darker side.

“Oh, and Mrs. Tanssen?” Lucinda said silkily.

The housekeeper turned hostile eyes to the dowager.

“Do bring me the tower key upon securing our guest.” A gloating smile on her lips, her ladyship finished with sarcastic triumph.

“Dicked in the nob witch.” Jasper’s breath hissed through his clenched teeth

Wordlessly, Mrs. Tanssen turned on her heel, her mouth firmed into a grim line of indignation. The trio swept from the room.

Once out of earshot Vangie asked, “Would she really have sent for the magistrate?”

Jasper’s gaze meshed with Mrs. Tanssen’s. The housekeeper looked over her shoulder and taking Vangie by the elbow, hustled her first down one corridor and then another. Jasper puffed along beside them.

Finally slowing her pace, and with a hasty glance over her shoulder, Mrs. Tannsen answered Vangie’s question. “Undoubtedly, my lady.”

“Sir Doyle, he’s the magistrate, is deep into the dowager’s pockets.” Jasper swung his head this way and that, as if afraid of being overheard.

Vangie glanced at the portraits in their ornate frames balanced on the wall. She could only imagine what Ian’s ancestors had seen and heard over the decades.

“Gossip has it, not that Mrs. Tanssen or I ever indulge in such prattle…” Jasper peered around a corner and beckoned the women to follow. “Sir Doyle was her, ah…” His face grew bright red.

“Amour. Before she married the previous Lord Warrick,” Mrs. Tannsen finished for him. She nodded knowingly. “And their current association is somewhat less than proper.”

“A great deal less,” Jasper agreed, still claret-colored about his ears.

Mrs. Tannsen, clicked her tongue. “I fear they’re a dangerous pair.”