Page 96 of The Artist and the Dragon

“Through the door, then,” she said quickly. “I don’t have to come in.”

The butler found his spine, jaw set, and shooed her away from the door. But then Charlotte said, “Okay.”

Bronwyn wanted to weep with relief. The butler’s eyes widened, but he halted immediately. The sounds of scratching and groaning wood came from behind the door, as if Charlotte moved something heavy, but that made no sense. Even the butler seemed perplexed until the door cracked open the tiniest fraction. The room beyond— Bronwyn barely stifled a gasp. It was a mess. Clothing strewn. Furniture upturned. Goddess above, no wonder Charlotte did not want to see anyone.

“Can we have a few minutes alone?” Bronwyn asked the butler.

“I don’t think—”

“Leave us, Bernard,” Charlotte said. “Miss Kinsley will meet you back downstairs in a few moments.”

He grimaced but gave a bow and did as Charlotte ordered.

The door did not open further, and Bronwyn did not push it. Nor did she glimpse the woman beyond. Bronwyn waited for the butler to retreat out of sight before saying, “I am sorry about your brother.”

The beginnings of a sob slipped through the door, but it was quickly stifled. “He— They said he tried to kill you.”

“He did.” There was no point in hiding it.

“I didn’t know!” came a cry from within. “You must believe, I didn’t know! He was always reckless. Foolish. But I never thought—”

“You never thought he was involved with the dragons?”

Charlotte’s weeping drew silent. The soft tread of someone pacing echoed from within the room. “No. No of course not.”

Bronwyn closed her eyes in pain. It was a lie. A poor one at that. “I know, Charlotte.” She leaned against the wall, staring at the damask pattern of the wallpaper across from her. “I know about the spell you gave to the kitchen boy.”

The sound stilled, but no denial came. Then, suddenly, she screeched, “Is that why you’re here? To throw accusations at me while I grieve?”

“No!” Bronwyn leapt off the wall as if it burned. “I’m not here to condemn you. I need help. Please!”

A sniff and the hint of a high-pitched huff came from beyond.

“Charlotte.” Bronwyn reached for the door but dropped her hand just before it grazed the metal handle. “The dragon—the dragons—they have done more damage than you know. My sister … she’s…” Her throat closed up.

“She’s back from her wedding moon?” The innocence of the question struck her like a blow to the stomach, and her breath left her. Could she truly not know?

“No. Not that.” She should say nothing. It was what they’d agreed, to keep it a secret, but some risks were worth taking. “She’s in trouble, Charlotte. The dragons have gotten to her. She’s cursed. Dying.”

A sharp gasp came from the other side of the door. “She wasn’t supposed to— He— Why would he harm her?”

“Who ishe, Charlotte?” Bronwyn’s pulse fluttered wildly in her throat. She knew. So few did, but Charlotteknew.

A fresh wave of sobs poured through the crack. “He’ll kill me. I can’t!”

“My sister is dying, Charlotte,” Bronwyn pleaded. “I cannot save your brother, but you can save her.”

“If he even finds out you’re here—” Suddenly, Charlotte’s tear-stained face filled the crack. She must not have even washed it from the night before because streaks of makeup discolored it like she was a painting doused with water.

“Please,” Bronwyn echoed.

“I can’t.” The door slammed shut with a rattle.

Bronwyn pounded on it to no avail. “Charlotte!”

There was a heavy scraping sound, the same as before, but now she knew what it was. Charlotte slid something heavy in front of the door. It wasn’t Bronwyn she was trying to keep out. Nor the inspector, she’d wager.

“I can keep you safe, Charlotte!” she called through the closed door. “Please! Just help me, and I’ll make sure that he’s no threat to you. I’ll get you a pardon. You won’t be held accountable. Just help me. Tell me who he is!”Give me anything!

---