Page 77 of The Last Chance
“Murder?” Lucia inhaled sharply. “But Miss Lovelace is innocent. Where is she? Miss Stowe will want to see her. She will want to help.”
“You can help by telling the truth,” Aaron snapped. “How long have you worked for Miss Stowe?”
Lucia’s bottom lip trembled. “Six months.”
“Six months? Where did you work previously?”
The colour drained from Lucia’s face. “At Lord Hutton’s house in Manchester Square. Miss Stowe found me crying in the market and took me home. I have worked for her ever since.”
Daventry looked at Aaron and arched a brow. “I suspect Hutton couldn’t keep his hands to himself.”
“No, his lordship was kind,” Lucia protested. “His friends were wicked. One lady beat me for spilling a drink. She came to my room at night and hit—” A sudden sob escaped her. She put her head in her hands and wept.
Parker chose that untimely moment to amble into the room, scratching his stubbled chin, stinking of brandy and still half-sotted.
“What is it this time?” Parker tightened the belt on his silk robe and pointed at the tearful Lucia. “Is this the woman who claimed I assaulted her at The Burnished Jade? I assure you she is lying.”
“This is Venus,” Daventry said, insisting the maid raise her head.
“Venus?” Parker stepped back. “Are you sure? She looks a little young.”
Aaron lost his temper. “You should know. You kissed the woman. Are you saying this isn’t her?”
Parker shrugged. “It was dark, and she wore a mask. You know how it is at Mrs Flavell’s parties. One’s mind becomes fuzzy. I need to hear her speak in that sultry foreign voice.” Hebeckoned the girl to stand. “Show me those delightful hands, darling. I’ll never forget the feel of those.”
Lucia stood on shaky legs and obeyed Parker’s order. When asked to speak, she said, “I have never met you before, sir. People confuse me with Venus, yet I have never been known by that name.”
Parker scratched his head. “I suppose asking her to kiss me would be inappropriate. A man never forgets the taste of a mysterious woman’s lips.”
Aaron’s heart lurched.
Would it always be this way? When people mentioned love and kissing, would he always think of Joanna and wish he were somewhere else?
“You’ll not lay a finger on her.” Aaron grabbed Parker by his fancy robe. “Look at her. Is she Venus or not? Don’t test my patience. Not today.”
“It c-could be her,” Parker stammered. “Venus was spectacular. This girl lacks that special something that makes her attractive to men. She looks too pure, too timid.”
The reprobate made Aaron’s skin crawl.
Why had Venus targeted this degenerate? Probably because he was gullible enough to do her bidding. Was insulting a lady who stuttered his only prank?
“You were so desperate to bed her you’d have done anything,” Aaron cried.
Daventry spoke up. “So desperate she persuaded you to demonstrate your loyalty by accepting a dare. We know what you did,” he bluffed. “And why she chose a man who makes silly wagers.”
Parker’s agitation escalated. “For heaven’s sake, you can’t tell Mrs Flavell. She’ll revoke my membership. I’ll be barred for life. It was a prank. I was going to return the dagger. Venus was supposed to give it back when I met her at The Cock Inn.”
The permanent knot in Aaron’s chest eased slightly, thoughthe confession only proved Venus had handled the murder weapon. He prayed the meek maid wasn’t Venus. It reinforced the theory Joanna and Lucia were in cahoots.
Daventry stood. “You will put that in writing.”
Parker threw his hands in the air. “I can’t. Mrs Flavell will flay me alive. Look, I’ve told you everything I?—”
“I will have your testimony now,” Daventry boomed. “Or I will haul you to the Thames Police Office and charge you with theft and conspiracy to commit murder. The Mughal dagger was used to kill a man. You could hang for the part you played.”
Parker heaved and retched. The threat of the noose caused him to deposit his breakfast and a bellyful of brandy on the floor behind the chair.
Lucia covered her mouth with her hand.
