Her life here was over. Staying would only create more issues for her family. They deserved better than a life of gossips talking about them behind their backs. Or people questioning them as to whether or not she was a murderer. As the carriage slowed to a stop in Hanover Square, she knew what she had to do.
Matthew and Ancroft pounced on the stage just as Vanessa finished her vitriol-filled proclamation. They dragged her off the platform and down the hall to the study. Vanessa only laughed as they shoved her into the room. She slowly untied her red mask like the seductress she’d always been.
“You are free now, Matthew,” she said, almost sounding giddy. She moved closer as if she thought to put her arms around him.
Matthew took a step backward. He’d never been mor
e repulsed by a woman in all his life.
“No, all you have done is ruin my life and Jennette’s,” Matthew said angrily.
“Why?” Ancroft asked in a strangely soft voice.
The door opened and Selby glared at them all. “Who the bloody hell is she?”
“Vanessa Fulbright, my lord,” Vanessa replied with a flirtatious smile and curtsy.
“I should have known.” Selby grimaced. “Is it true, Blackburn?”
Matthew knew he couldn’t ruin Jennette. She had lived with her guilt long enough. This was one way he could protect her…again.
“No. The lady here is nothing but a disgruntled mistress, my lord. When she discovered I loved your sister she decided to use the gossip to her advantage.”
Vanessa’s blue eyes turned icy cold. “You liar! You told me what happened two years ago.”
“I was foxed, Vanessa. I was trying to make myself appear better in your eyes, nothing more. I’m shocked you actually believed that story,” he said in a casual voice that belied his true feelings.
“If you have ruined my sister, I will kill you,” Selby said in a low, feral tone.
“You have nothing to fear, Selby,” Matthew replied, staring at Vanessa. “No one will believe a whore.”
“Nor will anyone else want to be her protector,” Ancroft added with a smug grin. “After all, mistresses are supposed to keep secrets. Obviously, you can’t be trusted.”
Matthew watched Vanessa’s mouth gape when she realized the mistake she’d made. Her face paled under the artificial color on her cheeks.
“Go home, Vanessa.” Matthew opened the door for her. “While you still have one.”
As soon as the door shut behind her, Matthew turned toward Selby and said, “Where is Jennette?”
“Avis told her to go home with Lady Elizabeth.”
“How was she?” he asked with dread. He couldn’t imagine what she must be going through. The urge to go to her overwhelmed him.
“I was across the room. Avis had her gone before I even reached their position in the room.”
“I have to go to her,” Matthew muttered. “I have to talk to her.”
“Give her tonight to talk to my mother and her friends, Blackburn,” Selby requested.
“I cannot do that, Selby.”
“She needs to talk to them,” Ancroft added. “I know her. And now that Vanessa is gone, you can admit the truth.”
Matthew dropped to a chair and raked his fingers through his hair.
“Did she kill him, Blackburn?” Selby sat across from him, leaning forward in his seat. Worry for his sister etched deep lines into his face.
Matthew nodded once. “It was completely accidental. She took my sword but then her foot slipped on the damp grass. John couldn’t react in time. The sword went through his lung.”