Page 87 of The Duke of Ruin
“Just a bit. A small price to pay to have you back.”
“I didn’t go anywhere.”
His gaze was so dark and intense, she shivered. “I thought I’d lost you.” The words crackled from his lips.
Lost… The events preceding the fire came rushing back to her. She looked around and realized she was in the servants’ hall, the remnants of their meal still on the table in front of her.
“Where is Mrs. Marley?”
Simon frowned. “What does that matter?”
Diana shook her head. “First, is Rose all right?”
“Who’s Rose?”
Frustration threatened her patience as her mind whirled with what she now knew—and what Simon didn’t. “The maid who was with me. Is she safe?” She grabbed his hand and, when he winced, let go with an apology. “Please find out for me. I need to know she’s safe.”
Simon stood and put his head around the corner. “Tinley!”
Diana pushed herself to her feet, holding the edge of the table for support, as she listened to their conversation.
“Where’s the maid?” Simon asked.
“Mrs. Dodd is fussing over her. She’ll be fine. How is Her Grace?”
Simon turned his head and, when he saw that she was standing, rushed to her side. “Not taking it easy, as she should.”
Diana coughed again. “I’m fine. We need to find Mrs. Marley immediately. I’ll explain shortly, but we need to find her.” She took his arm, and they walked into the main kitchen. Smoke still clung to the ceiling as people worked to clear the scullery out.
“Lowell!” Simon barked for the butler, who stood near the door to the scullery. The servant turned, his brows climbing with surprise.
He came toward them. “Yes, Your Grace?”
“Where is Mrs. Marley?”
The butler glanced back toward the scullery. “I don’t know. Shall I look for her?”
“That won’t be necessary.” The dowager came into the kitchen from the corridor leading to the house, her hand wrapped around Mrs. Marley’s arm. “I caught her just as she was trying to leave. I thought to myself, why would the housekeeper leave at such a time?” She pursed her lips at Mrs. Marley in a thoroughly disgusted fashion.
Diana let go of Simon and walked toward the housekeeper. “You locked us in.”
Simon rushed to her side. “The hell she did.” He glared at Mrs. Marley. “Why would you do that?”
Her gaze found Lowell. “It’s his fault! All of this is his fault. If not for his stupid plan, none of it would have happened.” She began to cry, covering her face with her hands.
“She’s lying,” Lowell said coldly. “Any plan—and itwasstupid—was hers.”
Mrs. Marley dropped her hands as her eyes darkened with anger. “How can you say that? It was your idea to create a scandal that would encourage Andrews and Mrs. Harker to leave.”
Simon looked between them. “Stop. Explain. What scandal, and why did you want my butler and housekeeper to leave?”
“So we could have their jobs,” Mrs. Marley said. “Davis had it all planned out.” Following her furious gaze, Diana realized Lowell must be Davis.
Lowell sent his fiancée—likely former fiancée at this point—a look of pure loathing. “She lies, Your Grace. It was Mrs. Marley’s idea to start the rumor that Her Grace was unfaithful and that the babe may not be yours.”
The housekeeper jabbed her finger toward him. “Because you wanted to be promoted to butler! The plan was yours. I only came up with the particulars.”
Lowell’s eyes narrowed, and Diana recognized the glint in their depths for what it was—cruelty. “You’re also the one who caused her to fall.”
