Page 65 of Temptress in Disguise
Her heart swelled. There were things she wanted to say, kind things, loving things, words that would leave her exposed.
You’re everything a man should be, Aramis.
He was loyal, honest and fiercely protective.
Someone other than your kin loves you.
She loved him.
What chance did she have when his touch weakened defences?
She avoided looking into his eyes, afraid he might catch a glimmer of the love blossoming in her heart. “I have you to protect me. Sarah needs someone to keep the wolf at bay.”
He stood firm, unshakeable in his determination to save her life. “Maddock’s testimony will help to prove your innocence. I cannot permit him to remain here. For all we know, Sergeant Maitland is building an iron-clad case against you. You’ll not pay for someone else’s mistake.”
Mr Maddock was keen to defend her, too. “Anyone who knows Miss Grant knows she ain’t guilty. It’s why I took the note.”
Aramis drew back. “The note?”
“The note shoved in the manager’s pocket.”
“Do you still have it?”
“It’s in the house.” Upon their orders, Mr Maddock hurried inside and returned with the letter. “I’ll take the blame for being weak, but I’ll not have a bad word said about Miss Grant.”
“Mrs Chance,” Aramis snapped possessively. He snatched the note, gazed at the bloody fingerprint, and then read the missive. A muscle in his jaw twitched. “This makes for an interesting tale. The villain is determined to lay the blame at your door.”
Her heart skipped a beat when she took the note and saw her name scrawled at the bottom of the page. Her thoughts whirled in disbelief as she read every sordid line. It spoke of a passionate affair with the manager. A suspicion he’d grown tired of her. A threat he would pay for his deceit.
Days ago, she might have panicked, but if Aramis didn’t trust her now, he never would. “The fingerprint is too large to be mine,” she said, keeping calm as she measured her thumb against the mark. “The choice of words suggests a man is trying to frame me for murder. Everything written here is a lie.”
Aramis’ mouth curled into a knowing smile. “I didn’t for one moment think there was any truth to the claim. If anything, the need to blame you suggests your uncle may have had a hand in the deception. Perhaps your sister did see him in the audience. Someone wants rid of you, and I’ll not rest until I know who.”
Perhaps Lydia was right to hide, though it would be safer if she left London. It wouldn’t take the villain long to discover Mr Chivers’ new Mayfair address.
Still, instinct said they were missing a vital piece of the puzzle. “Edwin Budworth sounds like a dangerous man. Witnesses place him at the Belldrake at the time of the murder. How is my uncle connected?”
“The only way to know is to ask Edwin Budworth,” Aramis said.
“He don’t take kindly to men prying into his business.” Judging by the tense look on Mr Maddock’s face, he spoke from experience.
“I have no intention of prying.” Aramis’ sinister chuckle raised the hairs on her nape. “I mean to tear the man limb from limb to get to the truth.”
Naomi’s breath caught in her throat. Men like Edwin Budworth and Uncle Jeremiah didn’t care who they hurt in their quest for power. They paid other men to do their wicked deeds. From this point, they should trust no one but each other.
“I suggest you and your sister return to London.” If she had found Mr Maddock so easily, so could Edwin Budworth. “You’re to go straight to the office of the Order in Hart Street, Covent Garden. Ask for Mr Daventry. Tell him everything you know, and he will find you a safe place to stay.”
Showing he supported her suggestion, Aramis reached into his pocket and thrust a few gold coins into Mr Maddock’s grubby hand. “Our coachman will return for you tonight and take you to Hart Street. We can’t have you getting lost in the metropolis.”
“It’s the only way to guarantee your sister’s safety.” Naomi felt a measure of guilt for not telling Lydia to seek Mr Daventry’s help, too. “It’s the only sensible solution to your dilemma.”
Knowing he had no option, Mr Maddock agreed. “It will mean telling Sarah the truth. I don’t like to disappoint her. She’s all I have.”
Naomi’s heart sank. If only Lydia shared the same sentiment. “Lies are the devil’s poison. Trust me. She will be grateful for your honesty.”
The case had tested her faith in Lydia to the limit. While she hoped her sister’s endless secrets amounted to nothing more than a need for control, she had to face facts.
Lydia had changed.
