Page 64 of The Ones Left Behind
“I will certainly let you know if I hear anything that will be of use,” Matthias answered non-committally. “It is growing late. May I offer you a place to stay?”
“Thank you, no. I have taken a house in Worthing. That is gracious of you though, considering,” Worth remarked. “I will see myself out.”
“When he first arrived, I thought he might take his anger out on you, but he was eerily calm and logical,” Amelia observed as they heard the carriage depart.
“He is the same in the House. It is difficult to go against him. He never loses his head and he almost always wins.”
“It is almost enough to make me sorry for your brother,” the Duchess added.
* * *
“You do not wantto hurt me, Henry. The first death was an accident, and this would be cold-blooded murder.” She could feel him wavering, although his breaths were ragged and his hands shook. He smelled worse than the pig sties on the home farm.
“I do not wish to kill you. You were one of the few people to be nice to me,... but I am not above using you to my advantage.”
“What can I do? I told you I came here to help you,” she pleaded, her voice unsteady.
“Matthias loved you and I wager he does still.” His voice had changed from fear into one of cold calculation. It made her blood freeze in her veins. “Have you ever wondered why he has not married? He was still pining for you. He set off to the Peninsula hoping to stop you from marrying Peter.” He scoffed derisively. “He wanted to marry you himself. He and Father had a big row about it.”
“No,” she argued, not wanting to think about what his words meant.
“I heard it myself. I had been the one intended for the army.”
“That was many years ago, Henry.” What could she say to make him put down the knife and release her? The sun had slipped beyond the edge of the sea and it would soon be full darkness. Unfortunately, it was not a full moon. She had to get away soon. Staying here all night with him…was unthinkable.
“Matthias is loyal to a fault. If he loved you then he will love you now.” His voice indicated he did not consider such behaviour a virtue.
Was he completely lost, the Henry who had been her friend and playmate as a child?
“Henry, please release your hold on me. I mean you no harm.”
“What would Matthias be willing to exchange for you?” He seemed to be plotting aloud.
“There is no need to make any exchanges!” she said with disgust. “He will give you what you need—but you must hurry and leave the country.”
Henry released her and sank to the ground, apparently completely dejected. His moment of posturing had not been long lived.
“Matthias was to have died.”
“What do you mean?”
“I had been told he was brought back and soon after died. I thought I was the Earl.”
“Good heavens. Is that what you duelled over?”
“In part,” he admitted. “I was indebted and his death would have been my salvation. Instead I have a bounty on my head.” His tone indicated no acceptance of responsibility for having gambled or engaged in the duel.
Kitty disliked the look in his eyes even more now that she could see him. He looked much older than his one and twenty years. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair and clothing dishevelled and he wore a full, shaggy beard.
“Leave,” he commanded unexpectedly.
She hesitated, now wondering if he would harm himself.
“Leave! Before I change my mind and do something you will regret!”
“I think something will be regretted regardless of whether I stay or leave.” She tried to assess his state of mind. He seemed to waver between lucidity and delirium. Which was the reality?
“What will you do? I can return with food and money.”
