Page 91 of The Wise Daughter
“It took me ten years to work up the courage to try to kill you.”
Aaron instantly understood. “When I was ten. The fire in the stables. That was you, wasn’t it? That’s when my father sent me away.”
“That was a complication. I realized I had been too hasty. So I learned restraint and bided my time.”
“We could have been friends, Carver. You could have confided in me.”
Carver’s lip quivered. “As if I wanted your friendship! What nonsense. What delirium of speech! Neither you nor your father were ever my friend. Neither of you ever attempted to understand me or my plights.”
Aaron’s eyelids would only open halfway. “And whose fault is that? You chose to keep secrets and let them fester until they poisoned you from the inside out.” His head spun, but he forced himself to stand. He was determined to stand till the last.
At this, Carver started laughing, a deep, sinister laugh. “I trust it won’t be long until you fall asleep. Goodbye forever, Derricott. I’m finished with you.”
Carver removed a key from his pocket and gave it a little wave before stepping out and jiggling it in the keyhole.
As soon as he was gone, Aaron stumbled his way to the secret passage, unsure of how long he could remain conscious as his legs grew less sturdy and his mind foggier. He came very close to curling up on the floor when the wood panel he had his sights on slid open, and out stepped Nora.
Chapter 33
Nora placed a finger over her lips, begging Aaron not to make a sound or alert anyone to her presence. Trembling, she stepped through the hidden door of the study and into the dim candlelight. The crackle of the fire on the grate hid the sound of her quickened breath but made standing before Aaron uncomfortably hot. For several seconds, he only stared at her, making her heart pound terribly, but worse than anything, she couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“Aaron!” she whispered, clutching her stomach. “Please don’t be upset with me for returning.”
“Nora.” He clenched his jaw as emotions warred across his face.
She smothered her wish to run to his arms and beg for a chance to explain any misunderstandings. Even if he was willing to give her the chance, he was swaying like one of autumn’s last leaves. And they were out of time.
“Aaron, there is so much I want to say, but all that matters right now is getting you to safety. I hope you will trust me.”
Hesitating only a moment, she took his hand and led him through the open passageway door, which she closed softly behind them. When Carver returned, all he would find was an empty room. Fortunately,Aaron didn’t protest. He didn’t say anything at all as he stumbled trying to keep up with Nora’s quick pace.
She flinched at his loud stomps and thuds against the walls and turned around, unable to see him in the darkness. “Aaron? Are you all right?”
“I don’t think I am.”
She gave a gentle tug on his arm. “Come, we have to hurry.”
“Nora,” he whispered. “I’m afraid…”
She ignored the tremor that shook her and tugged on his sleeve again. “Keep walking, Aaron. I’m afraid too, but we’ll find help.”
“That isn’t what I meant.” His breathing was growing heavy. “I’m afraid I’ve been a fool.”
She didn’t bother disagreeing with him. She was too worried about the noise he was making. Anyone on the other side of those walls would hear them. If they were fortunate, the sounds of the ball would help mask much of their noise.
“Nora, did you hear what he said?”
A chill crawled down her spine. She assumed he meant his conversation with Carver. “Yes. Everything.”
“How did you know to come back?” His words were slowing.
“Keep walking, and I’ll explain.” She urged him into a slow pace. “When we arrived at Raven Manor, I found things, portraits, jewelry, instruments.”
His next breath was raspy. “My mother’s?”
“I think so.” She wanted to tell him that she had also found his mother, but he was in no state to receive such a shock. Nora herself was still struggling to grasp it. “I also found letters. I think Carver has been selling things to pay someone to find proof about his mother’s marriage to your uncle.” She pulled him forward another step. “But there will be time for answers later. Right now, we need to get you out of here. We need to keep moving.”
“I can’t let him hurt you, Nora.”
