Page 89 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“I was told he died in a carriage accident.” Kenneth's voice was low.
“Ha! Your mother told you that? Why on earth?”
“She hates you.” Kenneth growled. “She always has.”
“Perhaps she always knew.” Cornelius remarked. “She knew that your father was the weak one, and I the strong.”
“Shut your mouth!” Kenneth stepped to the chair and raised the pistol with a swiftness, moving his thumb to the pan and hammer.
“Need I remind you I still have staff downstairs.” Cornelius looked at the gun barrel, unimpressed. “No doubt they will hear the shot.”
“Kenneth.” Leah spoke up, approaching out of the shadows, and touching Kenneth's back.Where had she come from?“He wants a drink. Just sit down.”
Kenneth begrudgingly sat as Leah directed him into a seat. Kenneth's eyes did not move from Cornelius at all.
“Yes, a drink, of course, we should all take one to calm the nerves. There is still work to be done.”
“I would take some wine.” Leah chimed in, almost pleasantly. Kenneth looked over to her startled.
He won't be able to resist, being the only one not taking a cup of wine.
“Very well,” Kenneth allowed. “We shall all take a cup of wine.”
“Splendid!” Cornelius clapped his hands lightly and moved to rise from his seat.
“Not so fast.” Leah chided. “No need to get up. I'll pour it.” she began to walk gloatingly over towards the drink table.
“A gentleman should never allow a lady to pour her own wine.” Cornelius protested.I must poison her glass! How will I find a way now?
“Oh, I'm no lady, Lord Wilson.” Leah taunted over her shoulder, pouring three glasses of wine. “And I don't take you for such a gentleman yourself.”
“I insist.” Cornelius gave it one last attempt.
“Leave off it, Uncle.” Kenneth snapped, and Cornelius accepted his defeat.It will be harder than I thought to deal with this woman but deal with her I shall.
“Very well.” Cornelius gave a polite smile.
Leah came back with two glasses of wine, one of which she sat on the desk beside Kenneth, and the other she handed to Cornelius. After retrieving her own glass, she raised it well above her head.
“To the end of an era.” she mocked.
Cornelius found the comment snide, but still, he had a part to play. He had to participate. “The end of an era.” he agreed.
“Amen.” Kenneth looked strangely between the two of them, and all three drained their glasses. Cornelius noticed a small degree of what he figured must be silt, and he mentally gave his kitchen staff a demerit for their choice of wines to stock the house with.
Then they sat in silence, nervously watching the clock, until forty-five minutes had gone by since Nash's departure. It was time to go.
Cornelius snapped shut his pocket watch and smiled at both Kenneth and Leah.
“Shall we?”
“Very well,” Kenneth grunted. “Leah–”
“I'll go out through the window.” she dismissed.
“On up then, Uncle.” Kenneth gestured with his pistol. “Let's get a move on.”
“I'll only step into the loo.” Cornelius said. “Before we're out the door.”
