“Get help,” she cried out.
Berta’s gaze swept over Ella. “Dear Lord, what is it? Are you well?”
Ella’s lips parted when a niggling doubt crept to mind. What if Henry was responsible? What if Berta was responsible? Leo didn’t trust his own cousin; why should she?
“Your room,” Berta exclaimed, pressing her hand to her lips. “What happened?”
“Someone was here,” Ella admitted, realizing she had to give some sort of explanation.
How she wished Leo were here so she could ask him what to do, how much to admit. Sudden tears stung her eyes. Blast it, she didn’t have time to cry, but the fear was still there, so real, so cold.
“What?” Berta swayed as if she might faint, and clasped the bedpost for support.
Ella searched the woman’s face for pretense, but she saw only concern. The fight went out of her, and she sank against the wall. “I only just arrived, and there was a man in my room. He left, went out the window when you knocked.”
“Oh, dear Lord.” Berta pulled the bell cord and rushed into the hall. “You there, get Lord Roberts, immediately,” Ella heard her call out.
Suddenly, Berta was back, wrapping her arms around Ella, like Ella was a child. “It’s all right, my dear. We’ll find the man. Come with me to my room, and we’ll get you some tea.” Numb, Ella allowed the woman to drag her down the hall. Where was Leo? Was he, too, in danger? Would it be odd if she sent a servant after him?
“What’s happened?” Lord Roberts demanded as he came puffing up the steps.
“My lord, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Ella said, worried over the man’s pale complexion. “There was a man searching my room. He went out the window.”
He pressed his hand to his heart. “Did he harm you?”
Ella shook her head.
“A servant?” Berta whispered.
Ella was barely aware of their conversation. The blood seemed to rush from her head, and she was suddenly overcome by the situation.
Berta clutched her arm. “Are you well?”
Ella nodded. She couldn’t talk at the moment. There was too much; her mind was swirling in a dizzying whirl. “I just need to rest.”
Lord Roberts nodded. “Of course. Berta, take her to your room. Don’t worry; we’ll find the man.” With that said, Lord Roberts rushed back down the steps and Ella was swept into Berta’s room. It was a sunny place of yellow and gold walls, but it didn’t feel warm or comforting.
The woman led her to the settee and pulled the servants’ bell. “It’s impossible to trust anyone. Even the servants.” The woman sighed and studied Ella. “Some biscuits and tea will be just the thing.”
But Ella was barely aware of what she said. A map. Why hadn’t she told Lord Roberts that the man demanded the location of a map? She pressed her hands to her head, so confused her temples throbbed. She didn’t know who to trust anymore. The attack in the garden, the man named Convey, and now this? Somehow it had to be connected, and everything seemed to point to Leo’s past.
Childish laughter echoed from the hall. Henry’s son suddenly burst through the bedroom door with a grin on his round face and a doll hanging from his hand.
“Give it back!” Grace cried out and rushed in after him.
Stanley raced around the bed, out of arm’s length.
“Give it back, dear,” Berta pleaded. But when the boy continued to taunt his sister, Berta merely collapsed on the settee next to Ella. “They are precious but rather exhausting. Oh to have a governess.” She fanned herself with her hand.
Grace shrieked and made a lunge for her brother; they collapsed into a pile of scrawny arms and legs.
“The children don’t have a governess?” Ella asked, cringing when Stanley yanked on Grace’s hair, yet at the same time grateful for the distraction they provided.
“Oh, no, Henry will not allow it. Says he doesn’t trust anyone enough and he likes his privacy.”
Ella thought that strange, but it certainly wasn’t her place to comment. “It must be exhausting for you.”
Grace screamed, and Berta sighed. “Oh yes, very. Children, please do be quiet. Miss Finch is not feeling well.”
Stumbling to their feet, the children ran past again, Grace wailing, and Ella fought the beginnings of a headache. Would she tell Leo about the man and his questions about a map? Perhaps he’d been right about Convey after all. Then again, Mrs. Convey might have been annoying, but she certainly didn’t seem the type to marry a murderer. Unless she didn’t know. Berta didn’t seem to realize Henry was a complete ass.
“Amazing they’re twins,” Berta said, barely audible over the noise.
“What?” Ella blinked, forced back into the conversation.
“Stanley and Grace. So incredibly different physically and personality wise. When I was told I had twins, I was expecting two sweet tempered little girls. Or at the very least two charming little boys.”
“Well, at least you got one,” Ella mumbled.
The woman sighed as she watched her children race around the room. “Oh, dear. Darling, no, do not do that!” She scurried toward Stanley, who held a large vase aloft. Herding the children like sheep, Berta shooed them from the room.
Did twins run in the family then? Would Leo have twins with his wife? Ella smiled at the thought of two compassionate but devilish boys with their father’s dark locks. Then again, she doubted he’d ever marry. Perhaps he’d be forced to marry Mrs. Convey’s daughter, and it’d serve him right. She released a bitter laugh, one that had Berta glancing at her in bemusement.
My dear Convey has a brother, you know,
Mrs. Convey’s voice whispered through her mind. A brother. She shivered at the thought. Most likely the brother was as ghastly as the rest of the family.
Realization rushed through Ella, and suddenly it all made perfectly good sense. “Twins.” Dear God, why hadn’t she pieced it together? Convey had a brother!
“What’s that?” Berta asked.
Without a word, Ella raced from the room.
“Ella, dear, what is it?” Berta called out.
She didn’t stop until she reached Leo’s chamber. Without hesitation, she pounded on the door.
No answer.
She knocked again.
When no invitation came, she pushed the door wide and swept inside. “Leo,” she called out. Empty chairs, empty bed, empty room. He wasn’t here. Surely he hadn’t left? A surge of panic welled inside of her.
When she spotted the bag on the floor by the bed, she breathed an audible sigh of relief. He wasn’t gone…yet. Swallowing over the sudden lump in her throat, she went to the bed and peeked inside the case. Carefully packed, the bag was full of clothes. He was leaving. She pulled a shirt out of the bag and stared at it numbly.
Weak, Ella slumped onto the edge of the bed and stared unblinkingly at his shirt. Tears burned her eyes as she leaned over to set the garment back into the bag. A glint of silver caught her attention, and she forgot her sorrow for a moment. Her brows drew together, and she nudged aside a pair of trousers to get a better look. A familiar silver disc appeared. She sucked in her breath, betrayal trailing its icy fingers down her spine.
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “No.” With trembling hands, she pulled her necklace from the bag. Why? Why would Leo take her necklace? How could he, when he knew how much it meant to her? Had it all been an act? Had every kind word he’d said been merely an act to get her necklace? But why?
Frantic for answers, she shuffled through his bag, until her fingers hit cool metal. Slowly, she pulled a daguerreotype from Leo’s bag. A young boy stood in the photograph, baggy clothes on his scrawny frame. Even as a young lad, she recognized Leo, his locks short, but that same fierceness to his eyes. The man behind him had to be his father—they had the same shaped features. But it was the man to Leo’s right who caught her attention. So familiar…those dark eyes, that dark, curly hair…her uncle!
She stood. Leo’s parents knew her uncle? Somehow, her necklace was linked to his parents. The attack…the man in her room…they had to be linked to Leo’s past. Her entire body began to shake, and the necklace and photograph fell unheeded to the floor. She couldn’t seem to catch her breath. Gasping, she stumbled to the open window and sucked in the salty sea air. Who was the real Leo? Had their entire relationship been a manipulation?
That day at the folly flashed to mind.
“
And your uncle?
” Leo had asked. His voice had sounded casual, but there’d been a hardness to his eyes she only now remembered.
“I only saw him a few times. He was always traveling. He had a wife and child who lived in the Americas, but I never met them.”
Her blood ran cold. Her uncle. The necklace. India. Leo’s parents.
Had her uncle been involved? Whether he had been or not, she had no doubt Leo thought so. She raced back to the bed and picked up the necklace. Leo had been using her. Was Lord Roberts also in on the pretense? Had her entire presence here been planned from the very beginning?
Muffled footsteps broke into her thoughts. She scooped the necklace and photograph from the floor and tossed them into the bag, then stuffed Leo’s shirt on top. She’d just straightened when the door opened.
Seeing her, Leo stopped on the threshold. “What are you doing here?”
Her throat went dry at the sight of him.
Blast!
She didn’t want to admire him. She had to remind herself she was angry. He’d stolen her necklace, and how badly she wanted to thrash him for it. But how could she tell a man she didn’t trust that she knew his secret? “I must speak with you.”
“So speak.” He closed the door and brushed past her, going to his bed.
“What…what are you doing?”
“Packing.”
“Are you…going on a trip? To London perhaps?” Her head pounded as she waited for his answer. Did he notice the squeak to her voice?
“No.”
He
was
leaving. Her heart crumbled in her chest. “Were you going to say good-bye?”
He didn’t respond. Blast, she couldn’t read him, but it didn’t matter; she knew the answer.
Her lower lip trembled, and tears burned her eyes. “You weren’t? Were you?”
Without a word, he went to his wardrobe.
“I thought…I thought we were friends,” the words came out so soft she didn’t think he heard. Yet he paused at the wardrobe, braced his hands on the furniture, and leaned forward, his head down.
“You will get your money. You will have your cottage.”
Her hands clenched at her sides as anger flared through her body. “You think that’s why I’m upset?”
He opened the wardrobe door and pulled out a black jacket.
“I’m not greedy; I’m not like your family, Leo. I’m upset because I thought we were friends.”
He dumped the jacket into a nearby trunk and turned to face her. His face was pale, his eyes dark with emotion. “What do you want from me?”
“All I wanted was a good-bye.” She started toward the door, but she knew she couldn’t leave without telling him about Convey. As much as she wanted to hate him at the moment, she couldn’t. “I…I had a thought, something you should be aware of. I believe that Convey may have a twin. The man you are seeking may be his twin brother.”
He didn’t respond. No good-bye. No thank you. No shock at her revelation. Nothing. She swallowed hard and turned toward the door. Before he could see the tears slip down her cheeks, she left him.
“Did someone die?” Akshay asked.
“Pardon?” Leo turned away from the painting of Ella he’d propped against the wall near his bed. For hours he’d been staring at that blasted portrait looking for signs of something. What, he didn’t know.
Akshay stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him. “The gloom that’s settled over this place, I felt it the moment I entered the house.”
Leo ignored his friend’s comment and smoothed his thumb over the warm, round pendant he held. Strange how holding the piece made him feel almost calm.
“Nicely done,” Akshay said with a nod toward the painting. “Miss Finch?”
Leo’s gaze jumped to his friend, not bothering to hide his surprise. “You recognize her?”
Akshay shrugged. “There are similarities, and…let’s just say I deduced it was her.”
Leo slipped the necklace into his pocket and snatched a sheet from his trunk, draping the material over the painting as much for his own sanity as for Ella’s privacy. “Did you find the artist of the pendant?”
Akshay collapsed into a chair near the fireplace and closed his eyes. His clothes were dusty, his hair mussed; he was obviously exhausted. “No, the man said he’d never seen the likes of it before.”
“Of course,” Leo snapped, frustrated. He raked his hands through his hair and paced the room. Once again, he was stuck, stuck in this miserable house, with his miserable relatives. “There was nothing he could tell us?”
Akshay opened one eye. “Nothing.” His attention shifted to the truck, half full with clothing. “Are you going somewhere?”
Leo sighed. “I was going to go to London. You got nothing more from the man?”
Akshay shrugged. “He remembered a gent ordering a few necklaces years ago with a foreign god carved out of quartz, but that was all.”
Leo paused at the windows. “The same god as is on Ella’s necklace?”
Akshay shrugged. “He couldn’t remember.”
“Damn,” Leo snapped. More than one necklace. “Why would he order more than one?”
He hadn’t realized he spoke aloud until Akshay answered. “Perhaps for his friends?”
“Perhaps,” Leo replied softly.
“So will you tell me what’s happened, or will I be reduced to lurking in the shadows to overhear the answers?”
Leo didn’t bother to turn when he answered. “At the ball I saw one of the men.”
There was a moment of silence. “One of the men who killed our families?” Akshay’s voice was deceptively soft, but Leo knew his friend well.
Leo finally turned and met his gaze. “Yes. Only, no one believes me.” He raked his hands through his hair and paced once more. “The man I remembered had a birthmark on his back, but this man had none.”
“I won’t ask if you were wrong; I know you too well for that,” Akshay said.
Leo nodded his appreciation. At least one person believed him. Well, that wasn’t entirely true—Ella believed him. She always seemed to trust in him.
“So what happened? Did he cover the mark somehow?”
“I have no idea.” Leo moved to the windows. “Ella thinks he has a twin and the twin was the man responsible.”
“A twin.” Akshay leaned forward in his chair and rested his head in his hands.
Leo moved toward Akshay, studying his features and trying to judge his reaction. “Yes. What do you think?”
“I think…I think…hell, it just might be mad enough to be true. You’re sure he didn’t have the birthmark?”
Leo settled in the chair across from Akshay. “Yes.”
Akshay stood. “Well then, a twin is our only option at the moment. We need to find out if he has any brothers and where they live.”
“I know he has a brother; his wife mentioned as much. We’ll have to uncover his location. My grandfather will not readily give up the information. He already thinks I’m insane. In fact, hardly anyone speaks to me. And my cousin…well, considering he’s attempting to kill me, I highly doubt he’ll offer to help.”
Akshay grinned. “Well, I guess that leaves me.”
“During the day, I’d like you watch Ella. Tonight you can search for answers at the pubs.”
Akshay nodded slowly. “Watch Ella for her protection, or because you don’t trust her?”
Leo laughed, a harsh sound. “Does it matter?”
Akshay shrugged. “I suppose not.”
“You don’t mind watching her?”
Akshay went to the door. “I just traveled across country to get back here quickly, but no, of course not.”
“You’ll be fine,” Leo said, leaning back in his chair.
Akshay reached for the doorknob, only to pause. “Of course I’ll be fine. But I’m not so sure about you.”
Ella jumped from the carriage and nodded appreciatively toward the footman holding the door. A day had come and gone with no one being caught. For her safety, Lord Roberts had insisted she be escorted when she left the estate. She wasn’t quite sure why, as he’d come to the conclusion her room had been vandalized by an irate servant. Still, she didn’t argue, merely nodded and did as she was told, like a good little governess.
“In a few hours, miss?”
“Yes, Thomas, thank you.”
She made her way to Fran’s brilliant blue door and glanced back to make sure the carriage left. When it disappeared around the bend, she took in a deep breath. Since the attack, she’d barely had a moment to herself. She knocked, eager to discuss her problems with Fran.
Moments later, the door opened, and Fran appeared, looking healthier than Ella had seen her in years. “See you got my letter.”
Ella nodded and reached forward, hugging Fran. The woman actually had some fat on her body. “Good morning. I did get your note. And I assume you got mine yesterday?” She could barely keep herself from demanding answers immediately.
Fran nodded, taking her hand and pulling her inside. “I ’ave fresh scones and tea.”
“Thank you.” Ella lifted the hem of her serviceable blue gown and made her way into the homey kitchen. With a sigh of content, she settled at the table that overlooked the back garden. She could be comfortable here, even without Leo. Perhaps, someday, she could be happy.
A soft meow disturbed the still kitchen. Ella looked down to see a fluffy, gray cat staring up at her with large blue eyes. She grinned and reached out, petting the animal under its chin.
“I know, ’tis a mangy cat,” Fran sighed, pouring tea into cups. “But you know ’ow I am. The thing came scratching at the door last week and comes begging for food every morn.” She carried the tray to the table. “Sure does like you. Put up a fuss when I first tried to feed ’im.”
He was happy and felt safe—Ella could sense that in the animal. But he was also nervous around strangers. “It will take time. It’s difficult overcoming the past.”
“I was positive my note would get lost in that ’uge castle up there.” She settled in the chair across from Ella. Her friend’s cheeks were rosy, her eyes sparkling with life. Tears stung Ella’s eyes, and she had to look away for fear Fran would take it the wrong way. Fran truly was getting better.
“Did you find anything of interest? Any answers?” Ella asked, unable to remain silent any longer.
Fran dropped a lump of sugar into her tea. “I asked around the village. He’s got a brother in a small town near Norwich.”
A thrill of satisfaction made Ella’s heart race. She’d been right! Surely, she was right about the twin. “Norwich? But that’s so far!”
“You going to find ’im?” Fran asked, her brows drawn together.
“I have to, Fran. I must uncover the truth. Leo needs answers.” More importantly, she needed answers.
Fran frowned and shook her head. “Leo is a man who can take care of ’imself.”
Ella wrapped her hands around her warm teacup and stared into the swirling, amber liquid as if looking for answers. “He’s leaving.”
“What?” Fran yelled out, and the cat went scurrying into hall. “Where’s he going?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps…perhaps Italy.”
Fran shook her head and dramatically flung herself back into her chair. “So, if he’s leaving, why do you ’ave to find the men responsible? Are you ’oping he’ll stay if you find the truth?”
Ella couldn’t look Fran in the eyes, worried she’d see the truth. “Of course not. I must go to prove my uncle wasn’t involved.” And to prove I was right about the twin all along. Blast, but she was tired of people brushing her aside, tired of everyone ignoring her. If they wouldn’t take her seriously, she’d prove them wrong.
Fran took Ella’s hand in hers. “You’re just a woman, Ella. You can’t go alone.”
Ella stiffened. “Don’t you dare give me that ‘you’re just a woman’ speech, Francine. You know we heard that enough from Lady Buckley and always swore we’d prove her wrong.”
Fran looked at the tabletop and blushed.
“Now,” Ella started. “Do you know if Convey’s brother is a twin?”
“Not sure. Just know he ’as a brother there. Didn’t want to ask any more questions, for fear they’d grow suspicious.”
“I understand.” Ella stood, her mind spinning with things she needed to do to prepare for her trip. “I need to go. Thank you so much, Fran. And please, it’s very important not to mention this to anyone.”
Fran was frowning again. “Of course.”
“I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but soon, hopefully.”
“I’m going with you,” Fran said, standing.
Ella hugged her friend. “You look wonderful, Fran, but you know you aren’t well enough just yet.”
Fran sniffled as Ella drew back. “I know. But very soon I’ll be well enough, Ella Finch, and you won’t be able to exclude me from your adventures.”
Ella laughed. “I’d never exclude you, I promise.”
Fran slipped her arm through Ella’s and walked her to the door.
“Are you sure there’s no one you can take with you?”
Only the other day, she’d have sworn Leo would escort her. But now, she had only herself. “I’ll be fine, Fran, I promise. I won’t do anything silly. I just want to get a look at the man and see if he’s a twin.”
“But if you tell your Leo about it, then he may go with you.”
Ella blushed and looked away.
Her Leo?
How could she tell Fran that she didn’t know if she could trust Leo anymore?
Fran sighed, as if she understood. “I see you’re being stubborn about it. Please, please be careful.”
Ella looked into her friend’s eyes. “Fran, if anything happens to me—”
“Don’t say it,” Fran whispered, her chin quivering.
“I hope…no, I
believe
Leo will keep his promise about the cottage.”
Fran nodded. “You’ll wait for the carriage?”
Ella shook her head. “If I want to leave, I’ll have to sneak out as soon as possible. This way I have a good hour.”
Before Fran could argue, she slipped outside and rushed down the path to the lane. She didn’t look back as she made her way to the castle; she couldn’t look back for fear she’d run to Fran and never leave the safety of the cottage.
Instead, she focused on Convey. Certainly his brother was the man Leo remembered. Was Fran right? Should she tell Leo? His disinterest over what she’d told him in his bedchamber yesterday made her hesitate. Was Leo even still here, or had he already left? She tried to focus, tried to feel his presence, but was too far from the castle to feel much of anything.
Branches rustled. A flock of birds darted out from the trees. Ella jumped back in surprise. Her heart raced in her chest, and a wave of fear skittered over her skin. Something or someone had startled the birds. She scanned the shadowed trees. The woods were eerily silent. Nothing moved; not even a breeze whispered through the branches.
She swallowed over the lump of fear in her throat and started forward, her steps long and hurried. Just ahead she could see where the trees gave way to bright sky. The blueness beckoned, called out safety.
The soft thud of footsteps sounded from behind. Panic flared through her body. She couldn’t take the time to look back.
An ungrateful servant, Lord Roberts had sworn. But why would a servant come after a lowly governess…
twice?
Blast it! Why hadn’t she trusted her own instincts?
Hiking up her skirts, she bolted toward that patch of open field. No sooner did her feet leave the dirt road than firm fingers bit into her upper arms. Ella opened her mouth to scream, but a hand clamped over her lips.
“Keep your mouth shut,” a male voice hissed in her ear as he slammed her back, against him.
His fowl breath stung her nostrils, making her gag…the smell of unwashed mouth and alcohol. Oh God, what would he do with her? How many times had Lady Buckley said she was courting trouble by walking alone?
A real lady does not leave the house unescorted
.
Tears burned her eyes as he dragged her backward, into the trees. Tall and gangly, this man was different from the man who had broken into her room yesterday. Could she possibly fight him off? She had to think—fast. She opened her mouth and bit down on his hand as hard as she could.
His hand dropped away. “Blast, you bitch,” the man growled. He pushed her forward, and she fell to her belly, hitting the ground with a thud that knocked the air out of her lungs. Her head whacked against a tree trunk, and for a few seconds her mind went blank. She blinked off the dazed feeling and attempted to focus on the trees that wavered in front of her.
A dark shadow of a man stepped into her line of vision. Like a nightmare, his face was covered with a sack, with holes for eyes. Ella scrunched back against the tree until the bark bit into her shoulders. It wasn’t a coincidence. It couldn’t be a coincidence. He was back. Whoever had tried to kill her during that fire at the orphanage was trying again, and it was all linked to Leo and her necklace; it had to be.
“What…what do you want?” She couldn’t keep the tremors from her voice, and she cursed herself for showing her fear.
“Want? I want the money they promised me to kill you.” He lifted a pistol. The metal caught a shaft of light and gleamed dangerously.
Shock held her immobile. She couldn’t run, couldn’t hide. There was no one to help. She was going to die.
Just when she thought the end was near, a lean figure jumped from the shadows. The dark hair and thin body were vaguely familiar…. He turned his head toward her, and she gasped. Akshay!