I stifled a bitter laugh. “How very astute—”
“Thank you for the concern, your grace,” Cate interrupted. “This child sounds a menace of the worst sort, and I can personally assure you that Miss Kilbrid will remain in London and tend to Lucy Goodwin while Henry is away.” Her expression held a different type of sternness, one that expected absolute obedience. “Let me accompany you to the door. With so much to do, dawn will be here before you know it.”
The duke didn’t move at once. He studied my face for a moment longer before tossing the rumpled letter on the floor near my feet. “Henry left this for you, Miss Kilbrid. The servant tasked with delivering it saw the wisdom of placing it in my care.” He turned toward Cate. “I am done here, my lady.” He offered an arm and they left the library together.
I picked up the letter. The broken seal flapped loose as I tucked it into the folds of my gown.
Tom pushed away from the wall. “I’ll see myself out.” He went a few steps, then stopped. “Selah, just so we’re clear, you are to listen to Lady Dinley and stay in London. The two of us will see to Deri. Do you understand?”
“Perfectly,” I said. For the second time that night, I had been instructed to stay out of the way. What my great grandparents failed to understand though, was that I didn’t always do as I was told.
I spun toward James the moment the door clicked shut. His gaze dropped to the letter. “Read it,” he said. “I would know Lord Fitzalan’s intentions before we act.”
The parchment shook slightly when I unfolded the creases and skimmed the hastily penned words.
My Dearest Selah,
Please forgive me for leaving you once more in James’s care. I take full responsibility for what befell Nora at the theater, and refuse to place others in danger for my errors. Neither will I allow those who claim my best interest to put me aside while Deri is still at large. My wish is for you to remain in London at Lady Dinley’s. As there is little chance of this, I will do all in my power to finish this folly before you reach the oak grove. Upon my soul, once this matter is resolved, I shall claim the right to call you mine forever.
HF
I dropped my arm to my side. Henry knew me well. So well, in fact, he hadn’t expected me to stay behind while he ran headfirst into danger.
James shifted his weight. “What have you learned, Miss Kilbrid?”
How could I tell James that Henry intended to defeat death and gain life? Would he believe me? Would he understand that even the best of intentions sometimes went awry?
I sighed. “He is headed for Wexford to find Deri and Nora. I...I believe he means for us to join him there.”
James’s eyes locked on mine, and for half a heartbeat, a question hung in the air between us. What will it be?
“Do we have an agreement, Miss Kilbrid?”
The options were far from enviable. Banned from joining Cate and Tom, I could either set out on my own or accompany a man I detested above all others. As much as I wanted to deny it, there was power in numbers, and even our meager two would increase the chances of success.
I nodded. “Anything to bring Nora and Henry back safely.”
“You have an hour. Pack sparingly and be prepared to ride.”
I darted a look toward the windows. “Are we to go in the dark?”
James gave a mirthless laugh. “I am sufficiently familiar with the westerly roads to find our way.”
“As you wish. There’s an old well in Cate’s back gardens. We can meet—”
He shushed me with an abrupt hand. Then his eyes narrowed and his head tilted toward the French doors. I followed his gaze, and saw that one remained ajar a fraction of an inch after Tom left.
Damnation! The last thing I needed was for my overly protective grandfather to have overheard our plans.
James moved on silent feet to the door and yanked it the rest of the way open. A sharp cry followed as a man stumbled off balance into the library.
“What are you doing?” James demanded.
Standing upright, the young footman yanked his waistcoat straight. “Nothing, sir. Ye caught me off guard is all.” Color stained his cheeks, just as it had the day he had flirted with my maid.
“I caught you eavesdropping,” James snapped. “Did someone send you or are you snooping of you own accord?”
My eyes went to the letter he held in one hand, to the demi lion rampant over the letter S pressed into the red wax seal. I tensed at once. “Who is that letter for?”
“No one, miss.”
My stare narrowed to match James’s. “I assure you, Lord Stroud did not send a letter to no one. Now tell me who it’s addressed to or I shall find out for myself.”
The footman edged back a step. James moved with him. “It arrived for me, miss, not but five minutes ago.”
James crossed his arms in disbelief. “And why would Lord Stroud be writing to a servant at this hour?”