Page 72 of A Lady Most Wayward
Olivia lurched forward, only to meet the blinding smack of her brother’s hand across her cheek. She stumbled back, his weapon unerringly pointed at her chest.
‘You bastard!’ Philippa moved toward Olivia, not pausing when Cedric swung his gun in her direction. She took Olivia in her arms, her hand running over her wounded cheek before she turned back to face the Crow. ‘I am going to enjoy taking you apart one piece at a time.’
‘Stay back.’ He cocked the weapon, and Olivia knew he would shoot. He wanted to kill Philippa. She was everything he hated. Strong. Independent. Unwilling to bend to his will through threat or blackmail. She was magnificent. And Olivia loved her. One more reason for Cedric to destroy Philippa. He promised so long ago to take everything Olivia loved, and he meant it.
But he won’t take her from me. I won’t let him.
With a banshee scream, Olivia launched herself at Cedric, aiming low as Philippa had taught her when facing off against a larger, stronger opponent.
Her shoulder crashed into his legs with a painful crack. A gun went off, but Olivia didn’t know if it was Cedric’s or one of the Damsels’. She didn’t care as long as the bullet didn’t hit Philippa.
Cedric landed on top of her, and she twisted beneath him, grappling for the dagger in her pocket. She slipped it free, but he grabbed her wrist, slamming her hand against the floor in an attempt to make her drop the weapon. If she let go, he would take the knife and plunge it into her chest. She gripped the hilt tighter, preparing for his next crushing blow. But it never came. He froze on top of her as a gun cocked. Olivia blinked and saw the glint of metal pressing against her brother’s temple.
‘Get. Off. Of. Her.’ Philippa’s voice was quavering with barely controlled rage.
Cedric carefully let go of Olivia’s wrist, holding both hands up. ‘Easy, Lady Winterbourne. Let’s not do anything rash.’
‘Oh, killing you won’t be rash. It will be well thought out. Calculated. Absolutely intentional.’
‘Will someone please explain what my guard is doing in the white room, wreaking apparent havoc?’ Queen Victoria’s voice carried over the din, creating immediate silence.
Olivia wrenched her gaze away from Philippa and Cedric to see the Queen of England standing in the doorway. Her dark-purple gown was voluminous. The cinched waist and large skirt hid any indication of the birth of her fifth child, just seven months earlier. Her hair was parted down the centre and draped in a smooth wave over each ear. A coronet of diamonds and purple sapphires sparkled in the otherwise simple coiffure. Though only five feet tall, she seemed to look down upon the entire melee with the greatness of a giant.
The various scuffles occurring between the guards and Damsels ceased immediately as everyone froze. Olivia was reminded of a theatrical performance she once saw where scenes were stopped mid-action, and the actors stood frozen as if in a painting. If it wasn’t all so horrifyingly awful, it would have been quite funny.
‘Y-your Majesty.’ Cedric struggled up, leaving Olivia on the floor. Philippa kept her gun trained on him with one hand and reached with her other to help Olivia to her feet. ‘Your timing is truly fortuitous.’
‘Lord High Chancellor Hardgrave. Why is the Duchess of Dorsett pointing a gun at you?’
‘I have grave news.’
Olivia felt bile rise as her brother glanced at her, triumph glinting in his eyes.
‘Might it have something to do with the small war being waged in my drawing room?’
‘This woman, who you have grown to trust over so many years’ – Cedric pointed a shaking finger at Philippa – ‘has betrayed you most grievously. And she has used her friends to aid her in nefarious crimes against the very crown she was sworn to protect.’
Queen Victoria raised a brow in an expression very like Philippa’s. Olivia wasn’t sure if she learned it from the duchess or the other way around. ‘Really?’
‘It is Lady Winterbourne who has masterminded this entire ring of insidious flesh traders and set herself up as the Crow, leader of the Devil’s Sons.’
There was a variety of exclamations from Olivia’s new friends ranging from disbelief to outright anger. But Cedric spoke over the clamour.
‘Worthington’s position as the Commissioner of Scotland Yard made him her perfect second-in-command. As the Wolf, he was conveniently privy to the Prime Minister’s leads and loyal to his childhood friend above all others, even Your Majesty.’
Edward shook his head in disbelief as Drake demanded Cedric commit a highly inappropriate act upon himself.
Cedric kept making outrageous claims. ‘Lord Reynard, a man you took into your confidence once he returned from the war, was their Snake. These three, with help from their loyal lackeys, have been playing you a fool all along.’
All of the Damsels and their men spoke over each other in rebuttal of his accusations.
‘Silence!’ Queen Victoria commanded. She turned in a slow circle, spearing each of the Deadly Damsels and their husbands with a gaze as sharp as any rapier before returning her attention to Cedric. ‘These are serious accusations, Lord High Chancellor. I assume you have evidence to prove this?’
Cedric rocked back on his heels. ‘I have an eyewitness to their crimes. One of their would-be victims. Thank God I intercepted my sister before she could kidnap her own daughter and auction her to the highest bidder.’ He pulled a piece of parchment from his coat pocket. ‘I have Hyacinth’s sworn testimony right here. Written by her own hand, outlining their nefarious deeds.’
Rage, grief, and an unholy need for revenge made it nearly impossible for Olivia to form words. ‘And what threats did you use to get her to write it, Cedric? Did you promise to hurt those she loves? To destroy any chance she might have at a future? To isolate her from anyone offering sanctuary?’ She knew her brother’s cruelty and could easily imagine ten different ways he could have forced her daughter’s hand, each worse than the last. Striding up to him, she slapped him hard in the face. Grim pleasure filled her at the mark she left on his cheek. ‘You need not fear the duchess’ wrath. Your death will come at my hand.’
Cedric’s eyes gleamed with triumph. He turned to the Queen and gestured to Olivia with the confidence of a man who knew his words wouldn’t be questioned. ‘Even now, you see how boldly her lover threatens me. It pains me to admit this about my own sister, but she is an invert. Her love affair with the Duchess of Dorsett completes this circle of depravity. I would loathe for it to become public and ruin Hyacinth’s chances of ever finding a worthy gentleman, but Olivia has been privy to all of the duchess’ machinations and joined with her in targeting innocents, including her own daughter. Their twisted love affair is only one more example of their immorality.’
