Page 68 of Sacrificing the Untamed Lady Henrietta
“What is the relationship between you?” Henrietta pressed.
“He is my elder brother.”
Henrietta had not expected that. Indeed, she had been certain that Seth’s talk of a family had been mere subterfuge to try and throw Ewan off the scent. And yet, here stood his sister, as plain as day. A figure that Henrietta had never seen or heard of in all the time that he had worked at the Oliver house.
“How can that be?”
Isobel arched an eyebrow. “Well, he and I share the same mother and father. It is very simple,” she replied curtly.
“Have you always lived here, or have you recently found yourself here?”
Suspicion radiated out from Isobel. “What business is it of yours?”
“I am a friend of Mr. Booth,” Henrietta lied. “I spotted him several days ago and sought to speak with him.”
“Then why follow me?”
Henrietta shrugged. “Call it curiosity. I did not know if, perhaps, he had married at long last, for I have always known him to be a bachelor. Nor has he ever spoken of a wife.”
Isobel snorted. “My brother will never find a woman patient enough to engage in matrimony with him. She would likely end up in gaol for murder.”
This shocked Henrietta, to hear a young lady speak so bluntly of a family member. She had endured her own challenges with her mother and father, but she would never have resorted to such coarse language and sentiment.
“So, you have recently moved here?” Henrietta would not be deterred.
“If you must know—yes, I have.” She sighed in exasperation. “Now, if you are quite finished, I should like to go inside and see to my sickly mother. The physician is due any time, and I do not want to have to explain your presence here. My mother is fragile enough as it is, without worrying if we have done something to offend. If you have an issue with my brother, then speak with him. Do not chase me through the streets like a common vagrant.”
“I meant no harm by it, Miss Booth.”
“Nevertheless, you have caused me concern.”
“My apologies.”
She tapped her foot impatiently. “Was there anything more you wished to discuss about my brother?”
“Was he the one who brought you here to Scarborough?”
“He sought employment at the house of Lord Averson, and we followed him. My mother is unwell, as I have already told you, and I have been recently poorly myself. Otherwise, I would take employment of my own, so I did not have to traipse across the country after my brother,” she grumbled. “He had secured employment at his last position, and he had to go and ruin it with his pride and arrogance. I always told him it would get him into trouble and, lo-and-behold, it has. But does he listen? No, of course he does not.”
Henrietta could feel the bitterness flowing off Isobel in waves. Evidently, there were some unspoken emotions between her and her brother, and some lingering resentment at being brought here. Still, Henrietta could not fathom this change in events. How could Seth have had this family and said nothing about them, for so long?Then again, you did not think to ask. Why would he have told you? He would have no reason to.
“Tell me something—one last thing,” Henrietta urged.
“What is it?” Isobel snapped coldly.
“Were you with your brother earlier today, between noon and two?”
Isobel looked puzzled for a moment. “Yes, he was here at the house, seeing to my mother and I.” A frightened expression passed across her enormous doe eyes. “You have come from the Averson residence, haven’t you? Oh heavens, I have said too much. Please, I beg of you, do not tell Lord Averson where my brother was today. You must not! If he loses this position, then we are done for. Have mercy. Please, have mercy.”
“I will not speak a word of it, Miss Booth,” Henrietta assured. “I only wished to discover where he had been, that is all. I am certain that Lord Averson will understand.”
“No, you must not say anything of my mother and I,” she begged, her entire demeanor shifting to one of desperation.
“Why ever not?”
Isobel’s cheeks burned a livid red. “It is too disgraceful to mention.”
“You must, if you wish to buy my silence.”
