Page 29 of Devil at the Gates
“Fits of madness?” Redmond asked quietly.
Halifax’s tone turned graver still. “Yes. She’s capable of violent outbursts and spinning fantastical tales. To run away from the shelter of my home while her mother lay dying? That is proof enough to me that she needs special care. I only wish to have her back under my roof to protect her from herself.”
The man was a remarkable actor. If Redmond hadn’t had the instinct so deeply ingrained in him to mistrust people’s motives, he would have been tempted to believe Halifax over Harriet.
“I put my faith and trust in you, Your Grace, that you would tell me if she was here.”
Redmond didn’t miss the slight hint of an accusation in Halifax’s words. He must have suspected that the only logical place a woman could find shelter in the surrounding area would be his home. He was tempted to call Halifax out for suggesting he would lie, but he was going to lie about Harriet.
“I would, but she is not here. I do, however, have your coach and your driver.” Redmond thought quickly on his feet. “We encountered the vehicle broken down upon the road a few weeks ago. He made mention of helping your stepdaughter, but he said the moment the coach overturned she abandoned him. He suffered a broken leg, and a doctor from nearby has been assisting in his recovery. He is still not able to move on his leg and must continue to convalesce here a few more weeks, but I can have your coach horses ready to leave in an hour if you wish to take them home. I would have contacted you sooner, Mr. Halifax, but my business has kept me away, and I have only just returned to learn of the incident this morning from my butler.”
Halifax nodded, as if Redmond’s excuse was quite believable. “I would be glad to take the coach and horses now, and I trust if my daughter appears on your estate, you will take the necessary steps to return her to my care?”
Redmond wanted to punch the man so hard his jaw broke, but the game was still afoot, so instead he smiled and held out his hand to shake Halifax’s.
“Of course. She sounds quite disturbed and would benefit from a firm, caring hand.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. In the meantime, I have already begun the paperwork to have her declared disturbed. The magistrate in Faversham will be signing the papers any day now.” Halifax smiled, and this time, a bit of his true desires slipped out. A hint of a triumphant gleam lingered a moment too long in his eyes.
“My man, Grindle, will show you out now.”
Halifax exited the study, and Redmond sank back in his chair, a knot of concern tightening in his stomach. He had no doubt that Harriet was still in danger, now more than ever. He didn’t trust Halifax to stay away from his lands. It was clear from the man’s sharp gaze that he thought Redmond was lying. Halifax had likely searched both Dover and Faversham already. Frostmore was the most logical choice for a woman to hide. That meant Harriet wasn’t safe here. She would never be able to leave the grounds, possibly not even the house. She would slowly wither away from being closed off from the world like that. The thought that had lingered darkly at the edges of his thoughts now returned and was unavoidable. Harriet could not stay. She needed to leave, to go somewhere permanently out of Halifax’s reach.
Or she could stay…if you weren’t such a coward to marry again, a dark voice whispered inside him.
But it was the truth. He was afraid to marry again, afraid to tie his life to another person’s after the betrayal he’d suffered the last time. What if he was wrong about how Harriet seemed to feel about him? What if she didn’t love him the way he hoped to be loved? He couldn’t bear to have another Millicent situation; this time there wouldn’t be anyone to stop him from stepping off the cliffs and answering that frightening call of the void and the death that would follow.
If she stayed and he married her, he’d face legal ramifications in the courts, but at least Harriet would be his. But it would be easier—and safer for his heart—to send her far away from here where she could be free of her stepfather.
And I can go back to being alone.
A deep ache settled inside his chest as he left his study. He heard Grindle say goodbye to Halifax, and he waited just out of sight until the door closed.
“Did you find Harriet?” he asked.
“Yes, Your Grace. She is in your room.”
“Thank you.” He paused. “Have a groom trail that man’s coach as far as he can without being seen. Have him stick to the woods if possible, then return. I wish to know if Mr. Halifax takes any detours.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Redmond hurried up the stairs and burst inside his chambers. Harriet stood ready to fight, a fencing blade at the ready and Devil by her side.
“Oh, heavens, Red, you frightened us! We heard footsteps on the stairs and thought…”
Redmond came to her and gently removed the sword from her hand and let it clatter to the floor. Devil barked once and then trotted over to the carpet by the fireplace and settled down, resting his head on his paws.
“It’s all right. He’s gone.” Redmond wrapped his arms around Harriet, stunned at how the strong, brave woman only drew out his fiercely protective side.
She buried her face in his neck. “I cannot go back, Red. You don’t know what he’s like.” She whispered the words so softly it seemed as if he might’ve imagined them.
“I know.” He brushed a hand down her back and cupped her head with his other hand, feeling her golden hair like sunlight warming his fingertips.
“You do?”
“Mr. Johnson warned me about him this morning. He told me about Halifax. Harriet… Your mother is gone. Halifax told me she passed.”
She burrowed deeper into his arms. “I knew it. I sensed it, the way a heavy storm finally clears and pale watery skies replace the gloom. I couldn’t feel her pain in my heart anymore.” She sniffled. “There’s a bleak emptiness there instead.”
