Treacherous Temptations(48)

“But of course he does, dear girl. And now you are returned, all may proceed unimpeded. If you are quite certain you are prepared to meet your prospective suitors, you may count on me to help secure for you the best gentleman of the lot.”

“Thank you, my lady. You are all that is gracious.”

“It is nothing, child. I only seek your happiness.” Lady Blanchard rose with a shake of her skirts. “Now that all is settled, let us get you to your rooms. You must be dead with fatigue after such an ordeal.” That much was very true, for Mary was near to collapse. “I will order water carried up for your bath and then send Nanette to attend you.”

“Nanette?” Mary repeated. “But where is my Jenny?”

“No doubt still looking for you. When you did not return by sunrise, she and Hadley’s valet departed to continue combing the streets for you. I will send her as soon as she returns.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

“It is nothing, child.” The countess smiled benignly, but when the door closed, Mary heard the tumblers turn.

…

“You lying bastard!” With her blue eyes blazing fury, Barbara burst into Hadley’s chambers. “You told me that you had won the girl over and that you would easily convince her to wed you. You have failed!”

“I thought I told you never to come to my private apartments again, Barbara.”

“I am the mistress here and will go wherever I damn please. Need I remind you that it’s no longer your house, Hadley? And never will be again, because you allowed a fortune we could never even have dreamed of to slip right through our hands!”

“You over-react.” Hadley poured a brandy.

“I do not!” she cried and threw herself down on the settle. “The girl wants none of you! How could I have entrusted this to you? I’ve given you ample opportunity and you squandered it! You should have taken her as I said. I never would have imagined you becoming so spineless. If only you had done your part we could leave this place and live like royalty.”

“We?”

“But of course ‘we’! This was my idea after all. And once we are finished with her we will be free to go wherever we wish and live as we please.”

Hadley didn’t know what precisely had caused his hackles to rise but something suddenly didn’t sit right. He lifted a bland brow. “Finished with her?”

Barbara gaze lit upon him with a glimmer that was vaguely akin to sexual arousal. “I refer to our little heiress’ accident,” she replied with a coldness that amazed him. “Of course that must wait until we go abroad, when there will be no one to ask questions about it.”

Sweet Jesus! That’s what Barbara intended? To murder the girl? Was her mind disordered? “You appear to have given this much thought,” Hadley remarked and blithely downed his brandy. He was thankful Mary had played her part so convincingly, for if Barbara knew that they had already wed, he feared where that might lead. Now realizing the current danger, he scrambled to reorder his priorities.

“It couldn’t be simpler, really,” Barbara said. “Although not as simple as it was with the earl, poor besotted fool! Although he did the deed himself, he made such a mess of it. All that blood! And then he left us with no money.”

Had she also planned to murder the earl before he lost his fortune? Is that why she had wed him? The avaricious and conniving bitch! Hadley’s pulse raced with rage. He poured another drink in an effort to maintain his outer calm. “And how do you propose to contrive Mary’s accident?”

“It can be done any number of ways, darling. She could fall from a horse, or a coach, or perhaps off a ship. The channel passage can be very rough, after all. Of course there’s always poison, but it can be tricky to disguise the taste. Suffocation with a pillow is relatively easy. But I suppose we need not decide yet.”

“No,” he agreed. “There is ample time to determine the best means to employ.”

“Once it is finally done, we will only need to return to England long enough for you to play the grieving widower and collect the land rents.” She brightened. “Then, my darling, after a suitable period of mourning, we will go back abroad together. We need never return to this accursedly damp and dreary place. I’ve so longed to travel again. After Italy, England has seemed the dullest place in the world.”

Hadley downed his drink. “It seems you were right all along, Barbara. The girl is frigid and tiresomely obstinate about relinquishing her chastity. Though I abhor such methods, there is naught to do now but put your scheme in motion. I’ll go to her and get this tedious business over with.”

“Good,” Barbara replied. “You must go to her tonight, breach her maidenhead, and then take her to one of those prison chapels. Surely, you know someplace discreet. I’ve locked her in her room and have laudanum to quiet her, although I daresay most men would prefer the challenge.”

“I have no need of the laudanum.”

Her eyes gleamed. “You will take her by force? I should like to watch you, Hadley. Perhaps when you are finished…”

“No.” He said. “I dislike an audience. Besides, I still hope to achieve a modicum of cooperation that I won’t get if you are present. It would much facilitate matters if we are to abscond to the Continent.”