Page 22 of Betrayal from Beyond
“He received an inheritance and bought a bang-up building with plenty of light and a charming little studio attached for his own painting. He’s very interested in helping Charles. They mean to use the gallery space to begin the museum, and Ansel is eager to recruit artists to be featured there.”
“It sounds intriguing,” Niall admitted.
“It will beglorious,” Gyda corrected him. She peered around at the three of them. “I thought you would be more excited about the idea. What is it? Is Turner…not mending?”
“Turner is fine,” Niall assured her.
“Balgate says he can get out of bed after a few days,” Kara told her. “His ribs need time to heal.”
“What is it, then?” Gyda demanded. “That Scot woman?”
Niall explained about the fire and showed her the note.
“The wicked cow,” Gyda breathed.
Kara leaned forward in her seat. “She’s tried to kill Turner in revenge. I did subdue Clémence Wilkes with her own ether, that day in the labyrinth in Seven Dials, but she was awake, lucid, and on her feet when Petra went into a raging temper. Miss Scot caused the fall and the blow to her friend’s temple that killed her, yet she blames me.” She scowled. “It is a warped and immature mind that cannot accept one’s own faults and mistakes. I have plenty of my own sins to answer for. I won’t take that woman’s on as well.”
“The thought that worries me is that, having failed, she may try again,” Niall said.
“Worse, now we know she continues to plot additional revenge. She could go after any of you next.”
“We already knew we were all in her sights,” Stayme said wryly. “She likely holds us all responsible for her woes.”
“I’ve sent notes to Moseman and to the executives in charge of my factories and other holdings. They need to be wary of sabotage. She might try to dismantle my organizations if she blames me for the loss of hers.”
Kara folded her arms, and Niall took a moment to appreciate that familiar look of determination.
“We cannot sit here and wait for her to strike again,” she declared.
Gyda straightened. “I should say not.”
“Wooten’s progress has been slow. Too slow. We need to find her ourselves,” said Kara.
Stayme looked interested. “And do what with her, should you find her?”
Niall had been pondering the same question. “We’ll turn her over to the Crown, if possible.”
Kara pursed her lips. “And we will do what is necessary, if it is not.”
“Now we are getting somewhere.” Stayme pointed at Kara. “Finding the Scot woman is the first problem, but you have another.”
“What is that?”
Niall knew what the old man was going to say. “The note. The second one left on the door. And the fire. Someone set it.”
“Indeed.” Stayme looked stern. “Neither Petra nor her lackeys should have been able to penetrate our defenses twice.” He shook his head. “No. You have a traitor here at Bluefield.”
Kara’s face fell.
“Who?” Gyda demanded.
“I don’t know. Yet. But I will find out,” the viscount vowed. “Turner can help me. It will keep him occupied as he recovers.”
Kara looked crestfallen. “I hate the thought that someone here might have worked against us. And to go so far as to set that fire?”
“Let Stayme handle that,” Gyda said. “We must cut the head off the snake. That means concentrating on finding Petra Scot.” She grimaced. “But how?” Shooting a look at the viscount, Gyda raised a brow. “I assume you’ve been at work on it?”
“I have.” Stayme glanced at Niall. “Wehave.”
