Page 12 of Betrayal from Beyond
“She’s playing with us,” Niall growled.
“Wait,” Gyda protested. “I thought she was spotted in Vienna not so long ago?”
“We don’t believe she was there for long,” Wooten said. “She has not been welcomed abroad. Her former allies have labeled her a failure and abandoned her and her League of Dissolution. She has found no place to land, it seems, and has been chased out of several spots in Europe. We know she is definitely back in England now, though.”
“And likely in a temper,” muttered Stayme.
“Just so,” agreed Wooten. “It’s why I came to warn you. Since her escape, her road has been rocky and treacherous.” He glanced at Niall, then at Kara. “You two are high on her list of people to blame. We cannot know if she came back for vengeance, but I think we must act as if she has.”
“If your people have spotted her, why hasn’t she been picked up?” Gyda asked tartly.
“She is slippery,” Wooten said on a sigh. “But we are looking for her. It should not be long before we have her. She’s burned as many bridges here as she has abroad.”
“Which means she might be getting desperate,” Niall bit out. “It will only make her more dangerous.”
“You are right.” Wooten sounded solemn. “I wanted to tell you all to be careful. You are all already gathered here. Perhaps you should stay here together for a few days.”
“She’s already breached Bluefield’s defenses once,” Stayme griped.
“It won’t happen again,” Niall vowed.
“I trust that it won’t.” Wooten sounded damnably calm. “Stay here. Stay alert.”
“What about William Barnstaple?” asked Kara. The man had been Petra’s second-in-command when she was wreaking havoc with the League of Dissolution. “You believed he was the one who freed her from government custody, didn’t you? Perhaps she is collaborating with him again.”
“We’ve seen no sign of him since her escape. If he is in England, then he is well hidden.”
“Which raises the question—why is she not well hidden as well?” Kara asked. “Certainly, she has the skills for it. Why flounce about and let us know she is back?”
“Because she wants us to know she is coming,” Niall answered grimly. “She wants her revenge, and she’s telling us she’s started the game.”
“It’s hardly a game,” objected Kara.
“To her it is,” Gyda chimed in. “We’ve already beaten her at it once. We’ll do it again.”
Niall hoped like hell that she was right. He stood. “Turner, gather the footmen. I’m going to set up a schedule so thatsomeone is always on watch. Kara, have the housekeeper ready some rooms. We will need a few extra men.”
A knock sounded on the parlor door. “Excuse me, Your Grace.” Tom, the underbutler, looked pale when Niall yanked it open. “But this has just been discovered fixed to the front door.” He held out a folded paper.
“Just now?” Niall asked, taking it. He opened it and read what was written inside. Anger bloomed on his face. He thrust the paper back to Kara and pushed past Tom, heading for the front of the house.
He heard Kara read the finely printed message out loud.
Enjoy your biscuits.
While you may.
Niall was already moving toward the front door, but he heard Wooten speak. “It wasn’t on the door when I was admitted.”
The inspector was on his heels in moments. “She might not have placed it there, herself,” he said as Niall yanked the door open.
Niall gazed over the empty drive and carefully tended grounds. “Perhaps not,” he said quietly. “But either she or one of her minions stood right here, just moments ago. While were sipping our damned tea.”
“She’s goading you.”
“It’s working.” He sighed. “I’m going out to scout around, but I already know I won’t find anything. You should go back to the parlor, Wooten. Tell them I’ll return shortly.” He paused. “We brought you and Mrs. Wooten something back from Oslo. Kara will wish to present it to you before you go. Please keep us updated. We will do the same.” He strode out.
Niall moved quickly, searching amongst the outbuildings and gardens and along the wooded sections of the estate. As expected, he found no sign of an intruder.
