Page 31 of Betrayal from Beyond
“Do be quiet, Matthew, and stop speaking of what you don’t know.” Sarah looked to Kara. “I don’t know where Tom is residing now, but Robert will know. Tell him I urge him to cooperate with you.” She stilled. “Petra… Associating with Petrais not good for Tom. In the state she’s likely in now, she could be a danger to him.”
“Petra Scot has proven herself a danger to my family, to the Crown, and to the world order,” Niall said scathingly.
Sarah cast a glance back at her husband. “Yet another sin we must atone for. I shall start writing letters to the parents. The girls must be sent home.”
“No. Sarah! You cannot!” Hanlin looked panicked, as if the enormity of it all had finally struck him.
“It’s over.” Ducking her head, she turned and disappeared down the passage.
Nodding, Niall crossed to take Kara’s arm. He glanced back over his shoulder. “Atonement is coming for you, Mr. Hanlin.” Setting a hand on his wife’s, he gave her a tug. “One step closer,” he murmured. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Eight
The noise wasimpressive.
Kara pressed close to Niall as they made their way through Westminster. The roads were busy, full of pedestrians, cart vendors, and carriages vying for space with supply wagons. A long wooden wall had been built to separate the construction of the new palace from the public thoroughfare. Heavily laden horses and wagons lined up to go through an opening in the barrier. Men waited their turn, each speaking with a porter armed with a thick file before being waved through.
Kara and Niall watched the supplies enter from a little distance. When the last wagon had been admitted, they approached.
The porter eyed them curiously and opened his file. “Names?”
“Niall Kier, Duke of Sedwick.” Niall gave the man a friendly smile. “And, of course, this is my wife.”
The porter scanned his papers. He looked up once, and Kara gave him an encouraging nod.
It didn’t help. The man closed his file and shook his head. “I’m sure I’m sorry, Your Grace. The new House of Lords is in use, and you are welcome there, but this area is still under construction and not open to visitors. It isn’t safe.”
“We are not visiting,” Niall said politely. “We are here to see Mr. Robert Preston.”
The porter made a face. “Mr. Preston is right busy, he is. He’s got to get the tower back on schedule.”
“Nevertheless,” Niall said pleasantly, but firmly.
The porter stared, clearly undecided.
Kara took a step closer. “It is family business for which we need to see Mr. Preston, sir.Urgentfamily business. He won’t thank you for delaying us.”
At last, the man shrugged and waved them through. “On your head be it, then, if this delayshim.”
They stepped through—and good heavens. The noise ratcheted even louder on this side of the wall. Men’s shouts mingled with pounding, sawing, and the creak of ropes and machinery. “It’s a hive of industry, isn’t it?” she said to Niall. “And it seems to be well run.”
She ran an experienced eye over it all. Everywhere men were engaged in moving, building, and crafting. Not a one of them appeared to be slacking. Scaffolding surrounded walls and a tower under construction. It rose up over the trees, and had a crane perched atop it.
The porter saw where her eye had landed. “The King’s Tower,” he said with pride. “When it is finished, it will be the largest square tower in all the world.” He pointed. “And on the other end is the clock tower. It’s somewhat closer to the finish.”
“It’s all very impressive,” she told him.
“Where will we find Preston?” asked Niall.
“He’ll be at the square tower site. Preston is a skilled man. He was instrumental in getting the Commons opened in time last November. Now Sir Charles has put him on the King’s Tower, hoping he can get it back on a decent timeline to be finished.” The man narrowed his gaze and surveyed the busy scene. “There!” He pointed toward a pair of men pulling a wagon full of parts. “Follow those men. Those are heading for the place you need. You’ll find Preston on site.”
They set off. Niall tightened his grip on her arm. “Watch your step,” he murmured.
But Kara had toured enough of her own businesses and manufactories to know how to stay out of the way. They kept in step behind the porters, following along the long wall of the building, avoiding the swarms of busy men. The tower was the feature at the end of the building, and eventually they followed the men into a stone arch surrounded by scaffolds, with stonemasons swarming over it.
The porters started to unload their wagon, calling for help in hoisting a large gear wheel complete with drum and flange.
“What’s this, then?” Kara asked, interested.
