Page 77 of The Secret Life of a Lady
And Alfred came looking for Killian.
What if he knew of Killian’s suspicions? What if he was intent on killing the only man Hannah could ever love? She had asked Killian not to confront Alfred alone, but had the stubborn man listened? Doubtful.
‘Blasted hellfire!’ Hannah hissed.
‘I beg your pardon?’ Miss Anna asked, aghast.
Hannah gripped Ivy’s hands. ‘I’m so sorry. But I must go.’
Hannah could only hope Ivy didn’t follow her. She couldn’t let the pale, delicate woman watch as Hannah killed her brother.
Hannah ran down the main stairs and almost crashed into Betty.
‘Betty, what on earth are you doing here?’ Hannah took in her maid’s tumbled hair and wrinkled uniform. ‘Is that hay in your apron?’
Betty’s usually pink cheeks paled. ‘I was in the… oh no!’ She burst into tears.
Hannah didn’t have time for her maid’s histrionics, nor could she abandon the distraught girl. ‘Are you hurt?’
‘I must tell you something. And I know I’ll probably get the sack for it, but… I was in the stables with… with…’
‘Spit it out, Betty. I’m hardly going to fire you because you enjoyed a bit of fun in the stables with young Sam.’
Betty’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell slack. ‘How did you know? You’re not going to dismiss me?’
‘Of course not. But I’m looking for Lord Killian on an urgent matter. If you are well, I really must go.’
‘But that’s just it, miss. I came to speak with you about Lord Killian.’ Betty gripped Hannah’s arm as tears filled her eyes.
The swelling music in the ballroom dimmed. The glittering lights faded to grey. Hannah’s blood froze in her veins. ‘Tell me. Immediately!’
Betty paled further at Hannah’s vicious tone. ‘I saw him with Lord Alfred Cavendale. In the stables. Sam and I were in the hayloft when… oh, Miss Hannah. It were right terrible.’
Betty quickly explained that Lord Killian and Alfred entered the barn, then Alfred knocked Killian out, dragged him to a trap door and disappeared below the stables.
There was no time to waste. Hannah needed to save her duke.
‘Betty, stay here. I must go.’
‘Not to the stables, miss. Not by yourself. You wouldn’t believe the look he had in his eyes. He’s mad, I’m sure of it.’
‘I must go, Betty. All will be well.’ Hannah squeezed Betty’s hand then turned and ran.
I will save him.
She had to save him, or nothing in her life would be well again.
Hannah raced out the front door, skidded on the gravel drive, and sprinted to the stables, all while cursing her delicate kitten-heeled slippers.
19
Killian regained consciousness in a slow, painful ascent. He ran through an internal assessment. Screaming headache. Arms and legs tied to the chair in which he sat.
Bloody freezing!
He kept his eyes closed and listened for any kind of sound. But there was nothing save the rush of his own breath.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. He saw little besides earthen walls, a flickering lamp, and a dirt floor. He could still smell the horses and manure, but a damp scent of earth pervaded. He must be in a cellar or some kind of tunnel.
