Page 75 of Sacrificing the Untamed Lady Henrietta
“Mr. Booth,” Henrietta replied. “We encountered him upon our arrival in Scarborough, and he has taken up a position at the house of Lord Averson—an acquaintance of my husband. The note came to me here at the Old Bell, not long after that encounter.”
“That wretched devil!” Aaron spat, his eyes flickering with livid fury. “How did I fail to see that?”
“Papa?”
Aaron held his head in his hands for a moment before speaking again. “I also received a note. Indeed, it is the reason we are here, for I suspected that your life might be in danger.”
Henrietta gasped. “You received one?”
“I did. It must have come around the same time.”
“What did it say?” Ewan pressed, whilst Tabitha sat in silent shock. Henrietta realized she had known nothing about this letter, and the understanding made her stomach twist with guilt. This was a lot for anyone to take in at once.
“It said that all was not well with you, Henrietta. It mentioned that trouble was brewing for you and spoke of the ghosts of the past. It said that I should involve myself if I did not wish any harm to befall you. They signed it in the same way.” He shook his head. “I did not even think of Mr. Booth— but now that you mention it—it all seems perfectly, horribly clear.”
“And you did not think to tell me any of this?” Tabitha snapped.
“I did not want to worry you, my dear.”
“And this is a better means of easing my concerns?”
He had the decency to look sheepish. “No, I suppose it is not.”
“You may be assured that it is not! This is outrageous! We must go to the magistrates at once and have this man arrested.”
“We lack the evidence, Mrs. Oliver,” Ewan chimed in. “That is why we require the assistance of General Oliver.”
“In what way?” Aaron asked, his expression rageful. “I will do anything to see that cretin brought to justice. Why did I not even consider him? I have been foolish… so very foolish. I ought to have known he would seek vengeance for that dismissal.”
Tabitha jabbed him in the arm. “I told you to give him a recommendation regardless of your feelings towards him. But you simply would not listen to reason, would you?”
“And I am paying for it, Tabitha,” he shot back. She recoiled from his harsh tone like a hedgehog curling into itself when a predator neared. “Please, both of you, tell me what I can do to help. I must fix this.”
Henrietta and Ewan exchanged a glance before telling Aaron about their plan to catch Seth in the act. As soon as they had finished, her parents fell into a stunned silence. Henrietta just hoped that her father would agree.
“So, you see, we require your men to help us in this,” Ewan added. “In order to keep Henrietta safe, they are necessary.”
Aaron nodded. “It is a risky plan, but I agree that it may be the only way to capture Mr. Booth before he can cause any further damage. If he has already gone so far as to push masonry and shoot at your horse, there is no telling what else he may do, if he is left on the loose. I will send word to my men and have them join us at the ball next week.” He glanced at Henrietta. “I will not let any harm come to you. I promise you that.”
“She is brave, is she not?” Ewan prompted. “This was all her ploy.”
“I always knew she was courageous,” he replied quietly. “She proved as much at your wedding.”
Henrietta dropped her gaze, feeling sudden tears well in her eyes. She did not want her father to see her cry, not now. And yet, his words had brought her a sense of joy.Have you finally seen the error of your ways?She reasoned it would be a long time before she received any sort of apology, but his kind words would have to do for now.
“Well, I think this is all entirely ludicrous,” Tabitha interjected.
“It will work, Mama. I know it will.”
She only wished she believe in her own sentiment. For, in truth, she was terrified of what may happen. If one thing went awry, then her life might well be on the line.
Chapter 29
Ewan lingered on the threshold between their bedchambers watching Henrietta as she let down her hair and began to brush it. She had already dressed for bed, as had he, and now he did not know what to do. Much had passed between them, but he remained uncertain of his own position. She was beautiful, and he was beginning to care deeply for her, but a line remained between them that he would not, and could not, cross.
What do I do, Patricia? How would you have me behave?As always, no voice returned to him. The absence of her continued to leave him bereft. And yet, for the first time in a very long while, he found that his constant thoughts were not fixated on his loss. Instead, they were firmly focused on what he had somehow gained.
“Is something the matter, my Lord Marquess?” Henrietta asked.
