Page 18 of Her Dark Seduction
“Remain where you are in the presence of your mistress,” Harwyn ordered.
I spoke softly to Harwyn so only she could hear. “Harwyn, there is no one here to see us, or to punish us for a little kindness.”
Cedric shook his head. “He said he would beat me if I told.”
“Lord Mortlock will do far worse if you disobey your mistress’ orders,” Harwyn said. “I only have to tell—”
“Harwyn, that’s enough,” I interrupted. A tear rolled down the boy’s cheek. The urge to make him feel protected was too strong, and I held my hand out to him, ignoring Harwyn’s protests.
“Tell us, child, and I will not betray you. You have my word.”
He seemed more surprised at the softness in my voice than the fact I had spoken. Harwyn placed a warning hand on my arm as the boy nodded.
“I will show you.”
He led us round the back of the stables and pointed to the wall.
“See the loose stone there, lady, the one covered in moss? I was told to put it there, behind the stone.”
“Told by whom?”
“I knew not. He came up from behind and said he would kill me if I looked at him, so I kept my eyes shut. He said I must pick up a letter by the rose bush and hide it behind the stone.”
“When did you put it there?” Harwyn asked.
“Just now,” he replied, “before I went to fetch the straw.”
“Show us.”
Cedric ran to the wall and pulled out the stone. His cry of surprise was genuine.
“’Tis gone!”
There was nothing there.
“But that means…” my voice trailed off. For the note to be gone already, whoever had taken it must have been there while we were speaking to Cedric. My eyes met Harwyn’s as the same thought crossed her mind. He might be watching us now.
“Leave us, child.” I spoke sharply, eager for Cedric to be gone. He ran away gratefully.
We looked around us, but there was no sign of anyone.
“Come away, lady,” Harwyn said, taking my hand. “There’s nothing we can do. We must pray that this man, whoever he is, did not set out to trap you, for that trap has now been sprung.”
