Page 49 of Fatal By Design
“He took her as leveraging of a sort. She didn’t want to tell him where the ring was, but when he threatened to kill me, she…” Cartwright closed his eyes and rubbed his bloody temple. He’d been dragged here and used, no doubt, to convince Millie to give up the location of the ring. “She didn’t have a choice.”
The hours it had taken to ride to Montague Lodge…they had passed several coaches on the way.
Hugh’s blood went to ice. “He’s gone to Greenbriar.”
Cartwright nodded. “The ring is there. Millie’s sister, Audrey…she has had it all along.”
ChapterSeventeen
Laughter and chatter carried across the small lake. The inarticulate distance of it had an isolating effect on Audrey as she and Cassie started up the slope of the lawn toward the main house. Sir was behind them, having stopped to tie up the boat next to its match, emptied several minutes before when Veronica and Mr. Henley reached shore.
Audrey had watched from her seat in the boat as Mr. Henley handed Veronica from the small vessel. They had quickly disappeared back up to the main house as Sir had finished crossing the lake. A few times, Cassie inquired if he would like assistance. He’d started off politely declining, but by the fourth time, his answer had transformed into a full-on scowl.
“He is a little rapscallion, isn’t he?” Cassie said now, looking over her shoulder at Sir.
Audrey murmured her agreement, though her mind was still hinged on Mr. Henley and his odd appearance at Greenbriar. It was strange, wasn’t it, that he had arrived at the shore without a footman leading him down? Or perhaps because Munson was already at the lake, along with several more footmen, it hadn’t been seen as necessary.
“The viscount seems to have a soft spot for him,” Cassie observed. “You don’t think he’s…you know…his?”
Shock ruptured Audrey’s direction of thought, and she gaped at Cassie. “Hugh’sson? No! Heavens, no.”
Cassie grinned widely. “Well, it wouldn’t be so shocking, would it? The late viscount did take on his illegitimate child as a ward.”
“Hugh isn’t illegitimate,” Audrey reminded her.
“Yes, we know thatnow,” she said. Then she nudged Audrey’s arm. “There is something between the two of you. Isn’t there?”
Cassie pressed her lips in a crafty little grin when Audrey again gaped at her.
“Oh, don’t try to deny it,” she went on. “And don’t think for a moment I would be displeased. I know you loved my brother. He would want you to be happy—”
Audrey pulled her arm from Cassie’s, flustered, her tongue utterly tied in knots.
Cassie’s grin faded. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It was heartless of me.”
“No, I’m not upset. Truly. I just...”Feel inconceivably guilty for pretending your brother is dead.“I need to change out of these wet clothes. Forgive me, I’ll see you back down at the lake shortly. We’ll row back over together?”
She dashed off before Cassie could reply. The cool air of the house chilled her as she took the stairs to the landing, her mind awhirl with how rude and inane she must have sounded. Why should she be shocked if others could see that there was something between her and Hugh? It was why Lady Veronica had all but declared war on her, after all.
Audrey decided she would change her gown, as she’d told Cassie she would, and then search for Mr. Henley. But as she turned at the newel post and started along the empty landing toward her room, something moved in her side vision. She responded too slowly—and a hand wrapped firmly around her left arm. Mr. Henley practically adhered himself to her side in an instant, and something hard poked into her hip.
“This is regrettable, Your Grace, but I’ve run out of time.”
“Mr. Henley, what are you—”
“Hush.” He forced them to a stop. “If you cooperate, I will leave you unharmed.”
Panic flared, sending her pulse streaming. She should have trusted her earlier instinct.
“You have Millie,” she said.
He ignored her. “All I require is the ring. The one your sister gave you.”
“I have no such ring.” Her eyes swept the landing. Her room was straight ahead. Greer was likely inside, her duties having kept her from the regatta.
Mr. Henley’s grip on her arm bruised. “Do not play games. I know you have it.”
“I am being truthful. Why would my sister give me a ring?”
