Chapter Ten
K ara woke early the next morning. Beside her, Niall slept on, so she merely rolled over and eyed the gradually lightening sky. They hadn’t found anything to lead them to Jamie Horton yesterday. She racked her brain and watched the clouds moving in, low and heavy. They matched her mood.
“I can hear you thinking,” Niall said softly, sometime later.
“I didn’t mean to be so loud.”
Laughing, he pulled her over onto her back and kissed her. “Good morning, Duchess.”
“Good morning, love.”
“What gears are turning so relentlessly in your brain?”
Solemnly, she regarded his handsome face for a moment before running a finger along the bristly, hard line of his jaw. “Perhaps we should heed Stayme. Maybe it is not a good idea to take on Brougham.”
He sighed. “We will, if we must. You said it yourself. We cannot merely sit and wait for Petra to come at us again.”
“Neither do we wish to fight a war on two fronts.” She rose up on an elbow. “Nor do I wish for you to suffer the lasting consequences of making an enemy like that.”
He scoffed. “What consequences? People being what they are, the commissions for my art have risen along with my notoriety.”
She brushed a lock of his dark hair, longer than was fashionable, from his brow. “You know what I mean, Niall. Your title is an opportunity. You could accomplish real good with it. Far-reaching benefits. I don’t want anything to keep you from that.”
He rolled over onto his back. “Only sixteen representative Scottish peers are elected to sit in the Lords at Westminster. Who knows how long it will be before I am known enough, or reach a level of approval high enough to even stand for election?”
“You know the government and the royals are watching you. If they respect the way you handle yourself, they could grant you another title. An English one. One that comes with all the benefits and responsibilities.”
“Again, when?” he asked, sounding exasperated. “Petra is a danger now . And I would give up a hundred titles to keep you all safe from her.”
Scooting closer, she curled up against him. “I know that. I do. I just wish we had some other way.”
A quiet knock on the door surprised them both.
“Your Grace?”
“Elsie? Come in.” Kara sat up and regarded her dresser with raised brows. “What is it?”
“Oh, Your Grace! We must make you ready. There is a constable downstairs! He’s come to fetch you, and he says you both must come to London at once.”
Kara rolled out of bed. Niall made to do the same from the other side, but he clearly recalled his state of undress and paused. “Has something happened? Has the constable said anything?”
“Oh, yes, sir!” The maid regarded them both with eager eyes. “He says Petra Scot is dead!”
*
Constable Berne took them straight to Scotland Yard, where Inspector Wooten awaited them in his office.
“It’s true?” Niall asked, moving to shake the man’s hand.
“It is.”
“What happened?”
“She drowned,” Wooten said.
“Drowned?” Kara asked in shock.
“She was found washed up before the first lock in Teddington, late last night. We had sent out a description of her by telegraph, so they knew we were looking for a woman like that. They were quick to bring her straight here.”
“We saw her down by the docks the night before last,” Niall reminded him. “She must have headed up river right after we saw her.”
“Perhaps. The Thames isn’t tidal after Teddington, so she could have gone in anywhere past there, even as far as Hampton Court, and been swept back that way.”
“I would worry about the particulars if it was anyone else, but I confess, I’m just glad we won’t have to worry about her any longer.”
“Are you sure it’s her?” asked Kara.
“It’s her,” Wooten said quietly. He crossed the office to bend over her hand. “I thought that, considering everything that has happened, you both might wish to view the body.”
Niall certainly did. “I do appreciate your consideration, Wooten. Will you smooth over a visit with the coroner?”
Wooten’s mouth tightened. “We have not sent her to the coroner’s. After her escape from custody last time, I’m not taking any risks. Imagine the ruckus if the body disappeared, too.”
“Where is she?” asked Kara.
“Downstairs.” Wooten waved a hand toward the door. “I’ll take you if you are sure you wish to see her?”
“You don’t have to, Kara,” Niall said gently. “I’ll look and be sure enough for both of us.”
He saw her hesitate a moment, but she shook her head. “No. I think I need to know for myself.”
They followed Wooten through the busy main office, filled with detectives, constables, petitioners, and desk after desk piled high with strewn papers and files. At the back of the building, they took a narrow set of stairs down to the basement. The inspector used a key to unlock a small room and ushered them in.
Lamps had been lit. The flickering light only served to showcase the dirty corners of the floor and the dust on the stone buttresses arching overhead. Two tables were centered in the room. One held a form covered in a sheet.
Wooten went to stand at the head of the table. Niall went to the other side. Kara took his arm and stood a half step behind him. The inspector shot him a questioning look, and Niall nodded.
Wooten pulled the sheet back only far enough to expose her face.
Niall let loose a long, relieved sigh.
“Wait. It’s her?” Kara was peering past him.
“It’s her.” Her hair was slicked away from her face. “Look at the nose and chin.” Her skin was very pale and bore myriad small marks.
“What’s happened to her?” Kara whispered. “What are those cuts and scratches from?”
“The coroner says the abrasions are likely from encountering objects in the currents,” Wooten told her. “She would have received them after she drowned.”
Kara still peered at her. “Look at her expression. She looks almost…frightened. I never thought to see such a thing.”
“If she came to a bad end, then it was no different from the many she brought to others,” Niall declared. He refused to feel sorry for the woman.
“I know I should feel relieved, but I can only think of her gifts and the opportunities she was given. It all might have gone so differently.”
“All I can remember is the uncontrollable rage which took her over that day. How her loss of control killed her best friend.” Niall’s tone grew harsher. “And then I consider the unrest she stirred up, and the chaos and confusion she meant to spread throughout Europe—all in hopes of profiting from it.” He shook his head. “She’s kept us virtual prisoners with her threats. She harmed Turner! I know I shouldn’t say it, but it is a relief that she is gone.”
“What will happen to her now?” Kara asked as Wooten covered her face once more.
“Her burial, you mean?” The inspector looked serious. “The Crown took over many assets owned by the League of Dissolution when you brought the organization down. I’ll make sure they pay for a proper burial.”
“Thank you.” Kara gave him a nod.
“It’s over,” Niall said with relief surging through his chest and making him feel lighter.
She hesitated, still staring at the form on the table. “Yes. You are right, of course.”
He took her hands. “Turner is safe. Harold is safe. We no longer have to worry about Gyda going into Town or fires being set on the estate. It’s over. Let’s go home. And get on with our lives.”
And at last, she smiled. “Yes. Thank goodness.” She shot Wooten a grateful look. “Thank you, Inspector. Please, send your wife our best wishes.”
Niall grinned as she breathed deeply and stepped out of the room. “Yes. Let’s go home.”