Page 99 of The Last Chance
Mrs Lowry shook her head. “Your father loved your mother. Part of him died when he found her dead at the bottom of the stairs. I heard his brother was involved, but there was no proof.”
“Berridge?” Aaron sat forward.
The earl was a dead man walking.
“A servant disappeared the night your mother died. A maid. I heard she gave your mother a hefty dose of laudanum and a gentle shove in the back, but it was just gossip, sir.”
All stories contained fragments of the truth.
“The Earl of Berridge didn’t want our father to have more sons,” Lucia said. “He was afraid you would cause trouble in thefuture. Ignatius remarried quickly to show the earl he could not be beaten.”
Aaron could believe that was true. Knowing he had four vengeful nephews, Berridge must have been quaking in his boots. It explained why he left them to die in the rookeries.
Joanna hugged his arm and said softly, “Don’t torment yourself over things you cannot control. I know how these thoughts make a person weak. Nothing matters but protecting those you love and ending this nightmare.”
Knowing she was right, Aaron fell silent while he considered the options. There was one. He had to confront Natasha.
“Once I’m in the boat, what are your instructions?” he asked Mrs Lowry.
“The skipper will transport you to the destination while we wait here. You’re to drink a vial of laudanum before I walk you to the boat.”
So, Natasha needed him subdued.
“Where will he take me?”
It would be somewhere quiet, maybe out of town.
“Natasha didn’t tell us. She said a woman would destroy you where strong men failed.” Mrs Lowry glanced nervously out of the window. “We can’t linger here without rousing suspicion. Happen we’ve been here long enough.”
“Then let’s not waste time. I’ll play Natasha’s game.” Aaron handed Joanna his mother’s miniature and had every faith she would do as he asked. “Give this to Aramis. Explain what happened tonight and tell him he must take charge.” He removed the sovereign ring from his finger. “Give him my ring. He’s to protect our family, not concern himself with me. He must focus on the future.”
Joanna shook her head. “You can’t go. She means to kill you.”
“If I’m to end this, I have no choice.” He cupped her cheek and let his love for her flood his heart. “These times spent withyou have been the happiest of my life. I’d withstand a daily beating to feel the pleasure of one kiss.”
“Don’t go. There must be another way.”
“There isn’t. I must learn to master my fears. I’m afraid of losing everything I love, but I’m not afraid to face Natasha.”
Her face grew taut as if she balanced on a razor’s edge. “We can’t keep saying goodbye like this.”
“This will be the last time.” It had to be.
Mrs Lowry handed him a small vial. “Natasha told me it’s laudanum.”
“It could be arsenic,” Joanna said, horrified.
Indeed, he could not risk making assumptions.
Natasha was a cunning cat.
“I can’t drink that.”
Lucia retrieved a tiny brown bottle from her pocket. “I agree, Mr Chance. This is laudanum.” She removed the stopper and took a small swig. “There. That proves I’ve told the truth. Drink some. Mother needs you drowsy so she can restrain you. She will want you awake to sign the documents and won’t try to kill you until you do.”
“It will give Miss Lovelace time to alert your family,” Mrs Lowry added. “They might know where Natasha plans to take you.”
Aaron stared at the medicine bottle—then at the two women—wondering if this was an elaborate story to fool him or the absolute truth.
