Page 30 of Mine This Winter
“I could hardly broadcast my return.”
What on earth did she want?
Gwen scoured her mind. “If you’ve come to pressure my brother for money, I assure you, he will refuse. As I’m aware of his betrayal, you have no means to blackmail him.”
“I’m not here to blackmail a viscount.” The lady stood a mere six feet away. She made no move to sit or draw Gwen into the room. “I’ve concocted a far more elaborate plan.”
Was vengeance the plan?
A means to punish Oliver for casting her out?
Anger sparked in Gwen’s chest. “Where is Mr Garrick?”
“He’s dead.”
The words hit like a punch to the gut, but she refused to fall for this woman’s wicked tales. “You’re lying.” She would know if Simon had drawn his last breath. “You’re not clever enough to overpower him.”
The lady’s evil titter grated. “All a woman has to do is pit one man against another, then sit back and watch the show. Two angry men in a fight with pistols never ends well.”
Gwen’s blood pumped at too fast a rate. “Where are they? Tell me!” She had to find them before it was too late.
“Likely dead on the beach.” Mrs Samuel brushed dust off her sleeve as if proud of a job well done. “I couldn’t persuade your father or brother to marry me, but I’ve had better luck with your cousin. Indeed, Thomas Caldwell will inherit the viscountcy, and I shall be his viscountess.”
Gwen blinked in disbelief. Thomas Caldwell was a bumbling idiot. A dull man of science and a staunch advocate of reform who had never married.
“Poor Thomas was easily seduced. The besotted ones are quick to tame. Thomas alerted the Home Office of a spy willing to sell a list of British agents. I explained I had a contact in Whitehaven, showed him a few fake letters, and he convinced Lord Mowbray to send his best agent.”
“You conspired to have Mr Garrick sent to Whitehaven?”
Mrs Samuel shrugged. “I prayed Mr Garrick would throttle your brother as soon as he discovered the truth. Sadly, it took a little more manipulation, and Myrtle was able to help.”
Hearing her name, Myrtle slipped from the shadows. “Forgive me, miss. Mrs Samuel knows my brother stole two silver candlesticks from his employer. She has his signed confession. If I don’t do what she says, he’ll hang.”
The foolish girl.
“She has lied to you, Myrtle. If you’d come to me in the beginning, we could have dealt with the matter swiftly.” And yet, Gwen couldn’t help but think a higher force was at work. One keen to right the wrongs of the past. “I just pray my brother and Mr Garrick had more sense than to shoot each other.”
As soon as the words left her lips, a question sprang to mind.
One that sent an icy shiver shooting up her spine.
“Why summon me to Whitney Grange? I’m no threat. Thomas will inherit if my brother dies.” Gwen would have always believed the spy story and that Oliver and Simon had fought over her.
Mrs Samuel straightened her shoulders. “Because your cousin will probably pity you and offer to make you his bride. I can’t take the chance. They will blame Mr Garrick for your death. The man has never forgotten the cruel and callous way you discarded him.”
Blind fury surged through Gwen. She was about to issue an ultimatum, but Mrs Samuel suddenly screamed and charged at her like a banshee.
A violent tussle ensued.
While Myrtle looked on, the deranged Mrs Samuel tried to push Gwen over the railing. The rotten wood cracked and splintered against the sudden weight. The railing and spindles broke away and crashed to the floor below.
Gwen gulped.
One slip and it would be a sure tumble to her death.
Mrs Samuel must have feared the same. With the devil’s strength, she grabbed Gwen’s cloak and tried to push her to her doom.
Gwen gritted her teeth, determined to be the victor. “You’ll not hurt me again.” She dropped to her knees without warning, throwing Mrs Samuel off balance.
