Page 43 of Garden of Lies

For the first time Judith seemed to remember Ursula’s presence. She turned quickly. She looked quite horrified and embarrassed.

“I do apologize, Mrs. Kern,” she said. “This is such an unpleasant family matter. I should not have exposed you to my problems with my stepfather.”

“No need to apologize,” Ursula said. She touched Judith’s arm. “This is none of my business but it is obvious that you and the boys are in danger. You were right to come here.”

Judith gave her a shaky smile. “I’m afraid that my husband quite deliberately dumped the problem of my stepfather onto Slater’s shoulders. I know the gossips say that Slater somehow cheated me out of my inheritance but the truth is that my husband knew full well that I could not protect the boys from Hurley. If Edward had left me in control of the fortune, Hurley would have done something terrible to force me to give him what he wants.”

“I understand.” Ursula watched Slater unfold neatly to his feet. “Mr. Roxton appears to be balancing a number of complicated problems these days.”

“Enough,” Slater said. He reached down to take Ursula’s hand. “Mrs. Kern has a business to mind. I will see her out and return in a moment.”

He took Ursula’s arm and steered her back toward the house. Once inside, they continued along the corridor to the front hall. Webster opened the door.

Slater guided Ursula down the steps toward the carriage where Griffith stood deep in friendly conversation with Lady Roxton’s coachman. Ursula glanced at the expensive carriage that had brought Judith and the boys to Slater’s house.

“Can I assume that Judith married your father in part to escape a brutal stepfather?”

“I think Judith would have married anyone to escape Hurley’s clutches,” Slater said. “And as it happened, my father needed a legitimate heir for the title and the estate. The situation worked well for both of them. While my father was alive, Hurley was careful to keep his distance. But he has grown bolder now that I am in control of the money.”

“He sounds dreadful. What will you do to keep him away from Judith and the boys?”

“There is only one thing that a man of Hurley’s low nature comprehends.”

“What is that?”

“Fear.”

She stopped short, rounding on him.

“What are you talking about?” she whispered, conscious of the possibility of being overheard by Griffith and the coachman.

Slater was obliged to halt, too. He smiled in what he no doubt believed to be a reassuring manner.

“Hurley will be made to understand that remaining in London would not be good for his health. I shall offer to assist him in his travel plans. The choice will be his.”

He sounded as if he was discussing the weather or a train schedule—a matter of fact, not a subject that could be debated.

For a moment Ursula was utterly bewildered. And then with a cold shock, understanding dawned. She was amazed by the sheer audacity of the threat.

“Do you think he will believe your threat?” she asked.

Slater handed her up into the cab, his eyes chillingly calm behind the lenses of his spectacles.

“It won’t be a threat,” he said.

“Slater, Judith says he is a violent man.”

To her amazement Slater smiled. “Are you worried about me?”

“Well, yes, as a matter of fact, I am.”

“I’m touched. Truly.”

“I hope you know what you are doing.”

“I admit my social skills are limited, Ursula, nevertheless, I am capable of communicating with men like Hurley. Now, don’t forget, we are to have dinner with my mother tonight. Seven-thirty.”

Slater stepped back, closed the door of the carriage and waved to Griffith, who was up on the box. The vehicle rumbled forward.

---