Betrayal (23 page)

“I hope you are right.”

“Of course I am.”

Lillian’s voice shot down the hallway. “I will join the residents for breakfast.”

“As you wish, my lady. They are congregating now,” Black, The Company butler said.

Elizabeth stepped away, but he took her hand and pulled her back beside him.

Lillian’s boots pounded out her coming. She looked at them, then down at their clasped hands. Eyebrow raised, she stepped closer. “Good morning.” She kissed his cheek and offered her hand to Elizabeth.

The women shook and Reece took Elizabeth’s hand back. Nothing would come between them, not even Lillian.

“What brings you out so early, Lilly?”

She frowned. “I have orders to question your ward.”

Elizabeth stepped forward, craned her neck, and looked Lillian in the eye. “Tally? You have orders to question, Tally? Whatever for?”

Lillian’s voice softened. “I’m not really sure. Drake sent me orders to question Miss Tally and find out exactly what she saw while in the master’s custody.”

Reece could have stepped between the women, but whatever animosity hung between them, they had to work it out on their own. He let go of Elizabeth’s hand. “Why did he not ask one of us to question her? She is much more comfortable with us.”

Remarkably, Lillian stepped back. “I think that might be the point. Though, I would not presume to understand all the motives of our leader.”

Elizabeth drew her shoulders back. “I insist on being in the room.”

Lillian nodded. “I’m sure that will not be a problem. Let’s go and break our fast, Lizzy. I did not come here for a fight, and this is as awkward for me as it is for you.”

That took the fire out of Elizabeth. She bobbed her head in a half-nod and stormed down the hall toward the breakfast room.

Once they were alone, Lillian leaned in. “Have I missed some important changes in your relationship status, Reece?”

“I have asked Lizzy to marry me and she has agreed.” He held his breath.

“How interesting.” She stared down the hall in the direction Elizabeth had gone.

“Interesting? Is that all you have to say, my sweet.”

She took his arm, and they strolled toward the breakfast room. “I have no idea what to say. To be frank, I’m stunned. I never thought you would marry. I would believe you might have a flirtation or perhaps an affair, but promising the rest of your life to someone? Never.”

He halted their progress. “I seem to remember offering for you all those years ago.”

She smiled. “But you never meant it. Of course you would have married me out of some crazy sense of duty, but we would have been miserable.”

“I would have married you because I wanted to protect you. I do not know if we would have been happy or not, but I assure you I was earnest in my proposal.”

She faced him and took his hands. “Of course you were. I apologize. I only meant to say we were not suited to that type of relationship. Forgive me for asking, but why did you propose to Lizzy? Are you trying to protect her too?”

His chest tightened. “I’m in love with her, Lilly. Loving you like a sister is as close as I’ve ever come to loving anyone until I met her. I cannot live without her.”

Lillian beamed and grabbed him in a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you both. I wish you great joy.”

He returned the hug. “If we do not go in soon, she will return with a weapon drawn.”

Their laughter filled the hallway. They broke the embrace and entered the breakfast room.

“It took you two long enough.” Elizabeth filled her plate at the sideboard.

Lillian joined her. “Old friends sometimes demand new news, Miss Elizabeth. Forgive me for detaining him.”

Wide-eyed, Elizabeth looked from her to Reece.

He shrugged. “It is impossible to keep secrets from Lilly.”

“For you perhaps.” Elizabeth finished filling her plate and walked to the table.

“What secrets?” Tad bounded into the room.

“Nothing.” Elizabeth sat with a flourish, and her skirts ballooned around her.

He shrugged. “How are you, Lillian? I heard you were here. I quite like having a full house.”

“I am well, thank you. I have been ordered to question Miss Tally.”

“Me?”

Matilda followed closely behind Tally.

Reece put his plate down and escorted Tally the rest of the way. “It is merely a formality. Lilly will ask you what happened and you will tell her. That is all. Lizzy and I will be with you the entire time.”

Her dark eyes shifted from one spot on the floor to another, and she wrapped her arms around her middle. “If you say so, sir.”

“Let’s just break our fast then we can discuss business,” Elizabeth said.

Reece finally managed to sit down next to his fiancée with a plate of food.

Elizabeth reached for him beneath the table. He took her hand and squeezed it. He’d told Tally everything would be all right, but with Lizzy beside him, he believed it.

His footman, John, rushed in carrying a small tray. “Sir, I’m sorry to bother you, but a message just arrived.”

Reece took the note from the tray. “It’s from my solicitor. It seems he’s located a townhouse he believes will suit my needs.”

“It’s about time you moved out of your father’s house.” Lillian pulled a face.

“I agree.” Elizabeth stuffed a piece of sausage in her mouth.

Lord how he loved her. “Will you accompany me to view the property today?”

She nodded, since her mouth was still full.

Jamie joined them. “Busy morning here, I see.”

Reece laughed. “You’ll have to put up with us for a few days more, Jamie.”

Frowning, Jamie only shrugged.

“Long night?”

“No.”

Head cocked, she took another bite and watched Jamie go to the sideboard and shovel food onto his plate.

Tad said, “I come from a big family. I quite enjoy a busy morning.”

“Did you grow up in England or Scotland?” Lillian asked.

The rest of the meal plodded on with light conversation and a few laughs.

* * * *

Reece stood at the back of the room. They didn’t need him, but he had promised to be present and would keep his word.

Lillian sat across from the girl. She had a way of putting people at ease, though it didn’t work on Elizabeth who hovered like a worried mother. “Can you tell us about the day you were captured?”

Tally worried her hands. “I went to buy chickens for the cook.”

“And did you buy the chickens?” Lillian’s voice resounded low and musical. She leaned against the high back of the overstuffed chair.

“I bought two chickens.”

“What happened after you made your purchase?”

“I started for home. It was late, and I knew cook would be cross because I had taken so long.”

“Did it take you longer than it should have?”

Tally fiddled with a piece of ribbon on her skirt. “I made a stop on the way to the shop, my lady.”

Lillian sat forward. “Where did you stop?”

She pulled a thread from her skirt, and her eyes stayed downcast.

“Whatever it was, Tally, you are in no trouble. Tell Lillian where you stopped.” Elizabeth placed her hand on Tally’s shoulder.

“I stopped at the cobbler’s shop.”

“Did you need to have shoes repaired?”

“No, ma’am.” It would not be long before she would tear the material.

“What did you go there for?” Lillian’s voice tightened and grew stern.

“It’s all right, Tally.” Elizabeth narrowed her eyes on Lillian.

“I only stopped for ten minutes. Less, miss. I swear.”

“What business did you have with the cobbler?” Lillian demanded.

“I do not like your tone, Lillian.” Elizabeth stepped to the side of the chair.

Reece could see the scene deteriorating. He stepped forward. “Ladies, I think you are asking the wrong questions.”

All three turned toward him, staring as if they’d forgotten he was in the room.

Lillian’s eyes narrowed and she gripped the arms of her chair. “What should I be asking?”

He knelt beside Tally’s chair. “Does the cobbler have an assistant?”

“Yes, sir.” Her voice quivered.

“Is he a young man you fancy?”

“Sometimes he walks me home or through the park when I have time off.”

“And you stopped to see him that day?”

“Yes, sir, but only for a few minutes then I went directly to get the chickens. The shop was very crowded and took some time.”

“What happened when you left the shop with your chickens?”

Her dark eyes were wide pools, and she stared into his. “I walked a few blocks and suddenly the street was empty. I looked all around, trying to figure out where everyone had gone. Not even a pigeon made a sound in the alley. The wind nearly knocked me off my feet. I tried to run, but I could not break away from the pull of the wind.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Reece handed her his handkerchief. “Take your time, Tally, and tell us what made the wind.”

“It was like a tunnel of swirling wind and blackness, and he was inside. The demon master called to me.”

“What did you do?”

“I wanted to run, but I turned and walked into the wind.”

“Why did you enter the vortex if you wanted to run?” Lillian spoke softly, coaxing.

Tally turned toward her. “I do not know how, but he controls me. He commanded that I go to him, and I could not stop myself. He is going to kill me, isn’t he?”

“No.” The word came out more forcefully than Reece intended.

Lillian asked, “What was inside the swirling wind?”

“Only darkness for a long time. I cried for what seemed like days. Then one of those giant demons with the big head came and carried me to the church where you found me. I tried to run, but my legs would not obey my commands. I screamed but no sound came out of my mouth. It was a cage without bars. I was trapped in my own mind and body. All that was me looked out, but nothing I did made my limbs move.

“The master commanded I pray to him. There were other people, and they also had to pray, but they were allowed to rest. I was never allowed to rest.”

“Why do you think that was?”

“My prayers were more powerful because I had been consecrated. My prayers gave him strength. I tried to stop, but I couldn’t. No matter how hard I tried, I could not stop.” Her tears turned into sobs.

Elizabeth went to the door and called for Matilda.

The maid wrapped her arms around Tally’s shoulders and led her from the room.

Lillian walked to the window. Her shoulders remained stiff and her back straight.

Elizabeth turned and walked in the opposite direction. Hands on her hips, she looked toward the damask wallpaper.

All he could do was take a seat and wait.

“I have to ask you, Elizabeth.” Lillian returned to her chair.

“Then ask.”

“Do you feel this same pull toward the master?”

Her shoulders rose and fell with a heavy sigh. She sat in the chair Tally had vacated. “The night we rescued Tally, I felt a strong pull, but was able to focus on the battle.”

“You have been in proximity to the master since then. Did the inclination to join him differ?”

Elizabeth looked at him.

He smiled. “I trust Lilly with my life, Lizzy. You may tell her anything.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Since I have given myself to Reece, the master’s pull is negligible.”

“But not completely gone.”

“No. Not completely.”

“I have to tell Drake. You know I must.” Lillian had the good grace to sound sorry for the fact.

“You must do what you feel is right. I know where my loyalties lie, Lillian. I will fight the master or die in the effort.”

“I believe you.”

The two women stared at each other.

Reece stood up. “We have an appointment with my solicitor, and you have to report to Drake.”

Lillian got up, crossed to Elizabeth, and pulled the younger woman into a hug. “I wish you good luck. I’m sure this will all work out for the best.” She stared at him, and after years together, he recognized she did not believe her own words. Though, she wished they were true.

“Good day, Lilly,” Reece said.

Lillian curtsied and left the house.

“That could have gone better,” Reece said.

“It was inevitable.” She collapsed on the settee.

He sat and threaded his fingers through hers. “It will work out, my love. We probably should have told Drake before now about your affliction. It will not look good, but he is a reasonable man. You have more than proved yourself.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder.

He kissed her forehead. “I will have my solicitor apply for a special license today. In the meantime we should get dressed to go and see the townhouse.”

Without a word, she got up and opened the door.

Jamie stood outside. “I was just coming to find the two of you.”

Reece stood. “What did you want, Jamie?”

“Tad wants to go over his plan to attack the old church and clear out any remaining demons.”

“We’ll be right there.”

Jamie rushed down the hall.

She smiled. “I suppose our trip to see the new house can wait an hour or so.”

Reece wrapped his arm around her shoulder and escorted her back to the war room.

* * * *

The hour passed noon before they managed to get out of the office and into a carriage heading to St. James. His solicitor opened the front gate and greeted them.

“I’m sorry for the delay, Humfrey. I hope my note reached you before you were inconvenienced.”

“The timing was perfect, sir. I remained at my office when your footman arrived.”

“This is my fiancée, Miss Elizabeth Smyth. Lizzy, my solicitor, Humfrey.”

“A great pleasure, miss.”

“Mr. Humfrey.”

“I think you will like this house, sir. It has been vacant for the season, but it has all the amenities you specified and is certainly large enough.”

“Do we need such a grand house, Reece?” Elizabeth climbed the stairs and opened the door before either man could assist her.

“We have a great many associates and a large ballroom is necessary. At the moment it is just Talley, but I suspect we will have guests quite often.” He ran his finger along the dusty woodwork. The foyer remained in darkness, but a large chandelier, draped in a white sheet, hung above them. A table similarly draped stood in the center and two sets of stairs wrapped around the wall in either direction and led to the upper levels.