Page 59 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
“Why don’t you ask Lord Sanders?”
Sin didn’t want Cook to know Sanders was dead. “Because I want to know from you. You were the one who lured the dog out and hit John over the head. Where did you take her?”
Cook eyed him suspiciously. “Where’s Lord Sanders?”
“He’s not about to help you. He has his own problems to deal with. It will go easier on you if you tell her ladyship where Bella is being held.”
Cook couldn’t even look at Charlotte. She hung her head. “I don’t know where he took her.”
“But he didn’t kill her,” Charlotte choked on the last word.
Cook shrugged. “You’ll have to ask him.”
“Come now. I could talk to the magistrate and perhaps save you from transportation if you help find Bella.”
This time Cook guessed. “Lord Sanders is dead, isn’t he?” and she burst into tears. “I don’t know where she is.”
“Do you know where Sanders has been hiding these past two days since leaving Ivy Close?”
Cook wiped tears off her face with her apron. “No. Truly, if I knew, I’d tell you to save myself. All I know was they were somewhere near the coast.”
He could hear Charlotte crying. His heart clenched tight in his chest. “If that’s all you know, I’ll leave you to the magistrate.”
“I’m sorry, my lady. I am. I have been a foolish woman. Please forgive me.”
Charlotte lifted her head. “I’ll forgive you if I get Bella back. But why don’t you think about Lord Toobury’s children, who will grow up without their father?”
“What has Lord Toobury got to do with this?” Cook asked.
“Lord Sanders killed him. He told me so.” Sin could see Charlotte’s rage growing.
Cook began to really cry. “The plan was supposed to be about getting you to marry him. After which he would shower me with riches as his mistress. Nobody was supposed to die.”
Sin couldn’t see any point in further talk. She’d been a foolish woman. He gently took hold of Charlotte’s hand and drew her from the cellar. Once they reached the drawing room, Charlotte burst into tears.
“I can’t bear the thought of Bella being left to die in the same way she would have if I hadn’t saved her as a puppy. She won’t have anything to eat or drink.”
Sin didn’t have the heart to tell her she could already be dead. “I’ll send some men to search at the coast.” Charlotte made to walk upstairs.
“Where are you going?” asked Sin firmly.
“To change into my riding gear. I can’t sit back and do nothing.”
“It’s going to be dark soon. It’s too dangerous to ride along the cliff top.”
“I can’t lose her. She’s all I have,” Charlotte mumbled quietly.
Sin wanted to pull her close, so he did. “That’s not true,” he softly whispered.
She pushed out of his hold. “It’s always been Bella and I against the world. Two rejects who found each other. I can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
“I’ll go. I’ll take Devlin and we will find her. If they were hiding near the coast, which I think is correct as that’s how the valet slipped away so thoroughly after killing Toobury, they must be in the cave near Perranporth. If she’s there, I’ll find her.”
Charlotte turned back and hugged him. “She’s probably so scared. We’ll take some water and food.”
“We? No. Devlin and I can work faster if I don’t have to worry about you, too.”
“But if she’s running loose, she’ll come if I call.” Charlotte saw he wasn’t about to change his mind. “I’ll have you know this is my house, and my land, and if I want to search for my dog, I shall. With you or without you.”
