“I feel like she’s a bit too calm,” he commented. “I was almost beheaded in front of her.”
The Constable nodded. “You noticed that, as well, Your Grace?”
“I did,” he said, standing up.
“Well, I can have you seen safely to Gillingham Manor,” the Constable offered.
“Thank you,” Jasper said. Selina peered inside the room. He walked to her. “I’m fine, as you can see, My Lady.”
“Good. I heard what had happened, and I…”
“She was a wreck,” Lord Windermere said from the hallway. “Do try not to get yourself killed, Your Grace.”
“The Constable is going to accompany me home, My Lord,” Jasper said, tiredly. “I won’t stir until I’ve had at least another brandy.”
Selina squeezed his hand in hers. He felt relief— “It’s over,” he told her, a warm feeling enveloping him as he said it.
* * *
The next morning, Selina was walking the garden path. She’d been sworn that it was safe, watched. As she walked, she noted the gardener. In her hand, she carried a letter from her mother. She broke the seal, then began to read, stopping to sit on a white wrought-iron bench set back into the hedgerow, so she was hidden from view.
Feeling cozily tucked away, Selina read her mother’s tidings.
Dearest Selina,
Your father and I are leaving Paris on the morrow. We will be back in London a day after, where we will remain for a fortnight before heading on to Staunton. You and Thomas can then leave Kirby Hall, and we can spend the rest of the summer as a family.
I miss you, darling girl, and I hope that your summer in the country has brought those lovely roses out in your cheeks. Wait until you see what I’ve found for you to wear this Season! Everything is the absolute latest in fashions!
Selina smiled to herself.Perhaps she’s even found something in a becoming white.
She couldn’t wait to tell her mother about Jasper. She would be over the moon.
Lady Araminta Drake, Countess of Quinton, had always told her—she wanted her to find love. She had always gone on about passion. Now, Selina knew why. Well, most of the why. As she recalled the rest of the why, she felt her cheeks go bright crimson.
She heard voices, but thought nothing of it, until she realized that it was Leah. She was talking to someone angrily. It sounded like they were coming nearer. Selina froze. They were, luckily, on the other side of the hedgerow.
“How could you fail me?” Leah demanded. “I was promised his death, twice now, you’ve failed.”
Selina’s blood ran cold. She could barely believe her ears.
“He’s gotten lucky, My Lady.” It was a man’s voice, low—too low to discern who it was. He might, even, be disguising his tone. Given their subject matter, no wonder.
Selina knew—she was overhearing a conversation which she wasn’t meant to.
“How much longer do you need?” Leah asked. “I don’t want to wait too much longer. He’s ended the engagement. Now, I want him dead.”
Selina’s pulse was beating fast—her heart felt like it was about to pop a hole through her sternum.
What if they find me here, listening?
She could be murdered. She got down off of the bench, hiding herself as best as she could in the hedge, covering her mouth.
“Soon, My Lady—I promise,” the male personage said. “And if he’s discovered, with Lady Selina with him, perhaps…”
He trailed off significantly. Selina knew—she, too, was in grave danger. They all were. When Leah next spoke, her voice was farther away.
“Don’t fail me another time.”