Page 14 of Beth: A Regency Romance Novell

“Promises!” He tossed back his head and laughed. How changeable were his emotions. What drove him? Was there any method in what he did? Was it a lust for power, revenge, or something even worse she couldn’t give name to? Or else, the man was mad. The thought sent a ripple of fear through her. “Why choose me?” She needed to know more, otherwise how could she fight him?

“Be quiet. You will spoil my appetite.”

“Is there really any dinner? Have you conjured the food up by magic?”

“An obliging ghost.” He gave another chuckle. “Come and you shall see.” Ramsey opened the double doors she’d wanted to investigate. They entered another gloomy chamber, the lower part of the walls featured more of the dusty oak panels, with peeling wallpaper which was once white on the walls above. The windows were hung with faded crimson damask. More of the heavy furniture crowded the room, as well as portraits darkened with age. The long narrow table had been laid with a cloth, plates, glassware, and silverware, and their supper.

Lilly had been here. When had she brought the food? A short candle warmed the soup in a chaffing dish; the rest of the meal was cold: a plate of roasted chicken, a bowl of salad, Stilton cheese, and rye bread.

The maid had said the stairs led from the bedchamber to the kitchen. If Beth could discover the secret door, she could find somewhere to hide. Ramsey must sleep eventually, as he was drinking heavily.

She glanced at him. He didn’t look sleepy. His shoulders were hunched, and he looked tense. She would have to be careful. He must not see her search for the door.

He pulled out a tall-backed Jacobean chair upholstered in crimson brocade for her. “Not what you would expect at the duke’s table, but be grateful for it.”

Beth sat. She had been hungry, but her stomach roiled at the thought of eating any food of his.

Ramsey sat at the head of the table and poured red wine from a carafe into goblets, then placed one before her.

She made no move to begin.

“Eat!”

Beth picked up the ladle and spooned fragrant cauliflower soup into her bowl. She took up her spoon, while she considered throwing the soup in his face. It wasn’t hot enough to scald him and would only make him angrier.

She drank a mouthful of soup. It was delicately flavored. If Lilly had made it, she was a capable cook. Beth had so many questions, but remained quiet. Ramsey wouldn’t welcome them, and as it was, she felt sick with anxiety. She forced herself to spoon soup into her mouth. Was Lilly still in the house? Did she live in? It distressed Beth to consider the maid might have gone home and left her to her fate. She put down her spoon, the bowl still half-full.

Ramsey eyed her irritably while his jaw worked at a piece

of chicken.

She sipped the wine, needing time to think. To remember what her brother, Colin had taught her about faro before he joined the Navy.

Ramsey reached over and put a piece of chicken on her plate, then pushed it toward her. “Eat your dinner.”

Why did he care if she ate or not? Beth reached for the bread.

“I don’t want you falling asleep,” he explained. “It will be a paltry game of faro as it is.”

Was it the card game he really referred to? Beth batted that thought away with horror as she buttered the bread. She might not win, for he would be a skillful player, but she’d give him a good run. If only she knew why he wished to play cards, but she wasn’t about to distract him from his purpose.

Outside, another loud clap of thunder rumbled in the sky making her aware that if anyone rushed to her aid their carriage would be held up. They would be unable to cross flooded bridges, or their wheels would be stuck deep in the mud. But as Ramsey had stated, no one knew she was here.

Only Lilly.

Where was the maid? Would she come to clear the table? Beth gave a quick glance around the room again, searching for a faint outline in the wall which might give way to a hidden door, but deep shadows made that impossible. Only a single candelabra graced the table.

“How did you know about William’s accident?” she asked Ramsey.

“There was no accident.” He smiled, pleased with himself. “I sent the letter with a courier.”

“You sent it?” Beth stared at him revolted by his self-satisfied face. “But how could you be sure the duke and duchess would leave London?”

“And not react to a letter from their doctor? It was a gamble but I’m a gambling man. I had to make sure the message was alarming enough to force them to return to Castlebridge, post haste. But not serious enough to take you along with them. And I anticipated correctly, as it turned out, for you remained to continue with your engagements. You all played into my hands perfectly.”

“As soon as they learned the truth at Castlebridge, they would return to London and would now be searching for me.”

“Where would they look? No one knows you’re here with me. And should they by some remote chance learn of it, few know I inherited this house. Failing to find you at my townhouse, they would go off on a wild goose chase to my country seat. And there they will find nothing.”

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