Page 13 of Fatal By Design
Audrey clung to the moment, clung to the memory, needing to hear more. To know more. But as with every object, the energy, and the vision it gave her, depleted. The interior of the carriage returned, the golden sunset light shedding over a sleeping—and snoring—Sir. Greer was still peering out the window, lost in thought, oblivious to the short trip Audrey’s mind had just taken.
It seemed Millie’s maid had betrayed her.
And perhaps that is what had gotten her killed.
ChapterSix
The lights of Reddingate erased the knot of worry that had started to grip Audrey as their carriage traveled along the rapidly darkening roads. Rather than confidence at Hugh sitting with Norris, on alert for anything suspicious, Audrey had only felt fear. Millie’s driver had been killed; if Hugh were to come to any harm…well, she could barely stand to think of it. He had his flintlock to be sure, but not understanding, not knowing the reason for Millie’s kidnapping, or what in the world she’d been doing so close to Greenbriar, made Audrey wonder if any of this might have something to do with her, too. What ring? There were no family heirlooms from their mother or uncle that Audrey knew of.
The few hours ride to Reddingate had been quiet in Hugh’s carriage, with Greer drifting to sleep a few times, and Sir, shifting restlessly on the bench across from her. The boy’s scrubbed and neat appearance with his tailored livery and shiny boots, had startled Audrey at first. Things trulyhadchanged. But then his scowl, his distrusting stare, had settled more familiarly. Of course, Hugh would have kept Sir on and made him a part of his new life as viscount.
Audrey had attempted to engage the boy in conversation shortly after seeing the images the necklace had shown her, when the wheels had hit a bump in the road and Sir had snorted awake. She’d asked how he was finding his new position. He’d tensed his shoulders and muttered a polite reply before looking out the window.
“Is there something wrong, Sir?” It wasn’t like him to be so concise or use such proper English.
The boy sneaked a look at her. “I ain’t supposed to talk much to the toffs, now I’m Lord Hugh’s assistant and all.”
She bit back a grin. “Who told you that?” Surely, not Hugh.
“Baz.”
“Since when do you obey Basil?”
Sir frowned and said nothing, but she could see him thinking about the question.
“Sir, I hope I am not just some toff. You can speak freely to me.”
The boy’s shoulders had dropped, and he crossed his arms over his chest, sitting back against the squabs. “Then I can tell ya that the new duke acts like he’s got a tall stick up his arse?”
The grin she’d been biting back forced its way over her lips. A glimpse toward Greer showed she was still dozing, thank goodness. “The new duke is dealing with two murders and a missing lady. I think he is entitled to being a little tense.” Sir began to hunch and scowl. “However, don’t tell anyone, but…hecanbe rather severe.”
At that, Sir had smirked with pleasure. Now, as they reached the front drive to Reddingate, his tricorne was in place and he’d positioned himself at the door, ready to open it for her and Greer.
“I’m so hungry my gut’s starting to eat itself,” Sir muttered.
Greer glared, but before she could admonish him, the carriage came to a stop and shook as Norris and Hugh descended. Sir opened the door, and Audrey saw a greeting party crowding Reddingate’s entrance. Footmen holding lanterns approached their after-dark guests with courteous curiosity.
As Norris and Sir saw Audrey and Greer to the ground, Hugh addressed the butler who next emerged from the home, the windows of which were not fully lit. With no mistress at home, there would be no need to have the rooms ready.
After introducing himself to the butler, Grimes, Hugh stated they had pertinent information on the viscountess, and they were swept inside, into Millie’s receiving room. Audrey’s eyes traveled around it. She had not been at Reddingate in at least a dozen years. Not since Millie had borne her first child, a boy, Steven. He would be around thirteen now, likely at Eton or Harrow. Audrey did not know him; she wouldn’t be able to identify him in a crowd. The disconnect between herself and her sister was that thorough.
And yet, it was a possibility that Millie had been coming to see her.
While the housekeeper, Mrs. Larson asked a few maids to bring tea and prepare meals and rooms for their guests, Hugh stepped to Audrey’s side and whispered, “The necklace?”
She held his inquisitive gaze as Greer and Sir followed the maids from the receiving room. “As soon as we are alone,” she replied softly.
Hugh turned to Grimes and Mrs. Larson. Briefly, he reported the events of the day. The two head servants exchanged looks of utter shock before Mrs. Larson clapped her hands over her mouth and sought the nearest chair. A footman dashed away, ostensibly to inform the rest of the house.
“I cannot account for it.” Grimes blinked and shook his head as Mrs. Larson attempted to regain her composure. “Her ladyship was to visit Lady Edgerton at Haverfield. Sammy made no mention of first going to Kent.”
He rubbed at his creased forehead, his gaze drifting toward the parquet floor as overwhelm stole his attention.
“Sammy is the driver?” Hugh asked. Grimes nodded.
“Good man. He was a new hire. Only been here a month.”
Audrey took the pendant from her pocket and held it for Grimes and Mrs. Larson to see. “This was worn by the young woman pulled from the river. Can you confirm it belonged to Lady Redding’s maid?”
