Page 78 of Kiss Me Lady One More Time
“I had to! And shortly afterward, I received a letter from Mr. Lycett, who was staying with you and attending events at Tensford’s house party.”
She caught Penelope’s raised brow and answered the silent question. “Lycett was one of my suitors before my marriage. We maintained a . . . friendship.”
Penelope sighed.
“He wrote to me of your discovery and how happy the earl was over it. It just seemed to . . . fall into my lap. It seemed so benign. Although, I convinced my husband that Tensford would be furious at the loss.” She sighed. “I knew Lycett had money trouble. Deep troubles. I sent Samseh straight to Gloucestershire with money and instructions. Lycett was desperate enough to comply. That should have been the end of it.”
Penelope closed her eyes.
“Yes, you might well look ill. The lot of you came to London, looking for the thing. My husband heard of it. He decided that my revenge could be sweeter. He heard the rumors about Rowland’s auction and thought all of you could be fooled into thinking the damned fossil was going to be sold there.”
Penelope sighed. They’d played right into her hands.
“You came already armed with the suspicion, I know, because others already whispered about it. All I had to do was to take advantage of the rumors, reinforce the belief and arrange for a wide audience to witness Tensford’s despair. I could be there and glory in his utter disappointment as my ultimate triumph.”
“And was it?” she asked bitterly.
“No! Sterne rushed them all out of the ball before the unveiling—all because they had to find you!”
Her heart leapt at this news.
“I saw the door opened at any rate,” Lady Lowell said in despair. “I suspect they got in there and saw the real piece that was being unveiled.” She sighed heavily. “I know my husband was there tonight. Disguised. Watching. It’s just exactly something he would do. He’ll know already that I have failed. He will be angry. Furiously disappointed.” She started to cry again. “He will be angry at me, but also at you.Especiallynow that you’ve seen all of this. No one has ever seen his trophies. I don’t know what he will do.”
The door opened and Samseh entered once more. “We’ve had word from his lordship. He won’t be returning until later. We’re to hold her, in the meanwhile.”
“Fine,” Lady Lowell breathed. “Bring us tea in the library. We’ll wait there.”
“No.” The servant stepped forward and grasped Penelope’s arm once more, right where it was sore from his earlier assault. She winced and tried to pull away. “That is enough. Unhand me. I won’t have you manhandling me again!”
He didn’t even look at her. “It’s too long a wait and she’s a wily one. I’m not taking any chances. I’m putting her in the cell in the basements.”
“Let go of me!” She turned to the other woman. “Lady Lowell!”
The lady shrugged. “It’s a very old house. Built back in the days when the noble families were always squabbling, stabbing and kidnapping each other. There’s a cell down there, for enemies.”
Panic began to grow in her chest as Samseh tugged at her again. “No. That is taking this all a step too far. Put me in a cage and suddenly you will view me differently. You will view your choices differently. You are about to plunge us all into something deeper than a bit of revenge!”
“Leave her,” Lady Lowell said with a sigh. “Bring the tea.”
“I take my orders from his lordship.” He pulled her relentlessly toward the door.
“Think of what Society’s reaction will be,” Penelope called out. “If you hurt or confine me, it will be a scandal. And Sterne! He’s been like a dog with a bone, going after this fossil. What do you think he would do if you harmed me?”
“Sterne?” Lady Lowell scoffed. “What can he do?”
“Sterne is a man of honor! He is deeply passionate and honest and dedicated down to his core. He will never stop looking for me.”
Lady Lowell only looked slightly amused.
“Don’t you dare smirk at the notion,” Penelope barked. She found herself suddenly more furious than afraid. “Sterne isbrilliant. He is smart enough to collect knowledge and friends and connections instead of enemies and trophies.” She glared at the vile servant and yanked her arm, trying to get away. “It’s you who should be afraid. Sterne will hunt you to the ends of the earth. He will marshal his friends and my family. He will—”
“He will put a bullet in your brain if you do not take your hands from my intended.”
She gasped. Samseh’s eye’s widened. Very slowly, he turned his head. Whatever he saw made him release her.
Penelope half turned, then she jumped against Sterne’s tall form, clinging to his neck and fighting not to sob in relief.
He clung to her with one arm and steadied the other, which held a pistol pointed at the servant.
