Chapter Twenty
“You asked to see me, my lord?” Helen clasped her hands as she approached Lord Galway sitting behind his desk like some petty despot. Which he most certainly happened to be.
He didn’t bother to look up as she entered. “Parker, shut the door behind you.” Galway flicked his wrist. “Take care of the other matter now, if you please.”
Parker bowed and retreated.
Helen tried to gauge Galway’s mood, but he hadn’t yet addressed nor looked in her direction which, given he’d summoned her, seemed odd.
But he liked to allow a person to stew, worrying over what he’d say.
Glancing out the window, she was relieved to note that you could not see the fountain from Galway’s study.
A relief that the reason for her summons was not because he’d seen her writhing in pleasure clasped in the arms of a common thief, who bore a striking resemblance to the Duke of Roxboro.
Once Galway finished with her, Helen meant to send word to the duke and duchess, though she wasn’t sure what to say.
Fletcher may never seek her out again.
The name was all she could give Roxboro, because there was little else she knew about him.
At least nothing that would help the duke find him.
Helen could still feel the chafe of his night beard against her thighs and press of his fingers digging gently into her skin.
Only a kiss, he’d said. A most marvelous one.
At least she had experienced passion, finally felt the bliss of release.
The memory might have to last her a lifetime.
A criminal. The duke will have him thrown in Newgate.
“Miss Cosgrove,” Galway finally said, leaning back in his leather chair, fingertips drumming lightly atop his desk. “I believe we have a problem.”
“A problem, my lord?” Dear God, what had Cerise done now?
“Yes,” a sad, but satisfied, smile twisted his lips. “I have been informed there has been a theft under my roof. The emerald and diamond pendant that belongs to my daughter has gone missing.” His eyes narrowed on her. “As I believe you are aware.”
Helen exhaled softly, trying to still the sudden tripping of her heart. How to explain the situation without betraying both Fletcher and Roxboro with the truth? But she couldn’t allow Kate to be dismissed for something she hadn’t done. “My lord, allow me to explain—”
“I already know, Miss Cosgrove.” Galway held up a hand. “I confess, I am deeply disappointed. My dear cousin, Enid, would never have thought you capable of something so…vulgar.”
Helen blinked. Wait. What?
“I trusted you with my daughter and my home. Promised you a large sum against my better judgement once Cerise was wed. But I suppose you became greedy. You have played me for a fool.” His fist pounded on the desk. “And I will not be made a fool by you, Miss Cosgrove.”
The floor seemed to drop away from Helen’s feet. “What are you accusing me of, my lord.”
“I think we both know, Miss Cosgrove. The audacity to steal from me. Cerise is devastated, of course. I, however, always assumed you’d show your true nature eventually.”
“I did no such thing, my lord,” Helen protested. “I would never steal from you.”
“Your continued attempts at asking Parker to look for the pendant gave you away, Miss Cosgrove. You were attempting to delay matters so you would have sufficient time to plot your escape. I expect had I not confronted you today, you might even now be halfway to the Continent.”
God, I detest Parker.
“You were willing to allow Kate to take the blame, I suspect.” Galway made a tsking sound.
“Which speaks volumes about your character. Shameful, Miss Cosgrove. Just shameful.” His lip curled but his eyes were full of satisfaction.
Because he’d finally found something to hold over Helen’s head, whether it was true or not didn’t matter.
“I did not steal the pendant,” Helen said calmly. “Nor did Kate. Lady Cerise has a habit of…carelessness with her things, of which you are well aware, my lord. When Tam was unjustly accused of stealing a ruby ring, it was found in—”
“Silence, Miss Cosgrove,” Galway roared, nostrils flaring. “I’m having Parker search your room as we speak. Admit to your crime now and I will be lenient. Matters can stay beneath this roof and save us both further embarrassment. You have been good to Cerise until now. I can be charitable.”
“But I didn’t steal anything,” she insisted once more, though Galway certainly didn’t care. If she told him the tale of the two Roxboros, not only would she be breaking her word to a duke, but Galway also wouldn’t believe her.
“Sit, Miss Cosgrove, while we await Parker’s return.”
Helen sat and steeled her spine. Lifted her chin.
Remained composed. She would not allow Galway to browbeat her into a confession for a crime she did not commit.
Fleetingly, she thought of sending word to the duchess.
Better, Helen would leave once Galway was done with her and hail a hack to the duke’s home.
Surely, she would not be turned away. If nothing else, the duchess would offer aid because Helen was the only way to find Fletcher.
Parker arrived an hour or so later. Stiff as a bloody pike, eyeing Helen with disdain.
Whatever have I done to Parker to incur his dislike?
Galway leaned forward, a thin sneer on his lips. “Parker. Tell me what you found.”
He wants me to be guilty. Helen could see it in every line of Galway’s body.
“I apologize, my lord. But we found nothing except Miss Cosgrove’s wages.” He held up a small purse.
Galway motioned him forward and took the coins. “Hmm. Your wages.” He looked inside the small purse. “There’s far more here than I would have paid you, though admittedly, not what I would have expected if you’d sold the pendant.”
“I live frugally, my lord. And I did not steal the pendant.”
Galway ignored protest. “Until the situation is resolved to my satisfaction, however, I will hold on to this.” He tossed the small purse up in the air and caught it. “At the very least, you’ll have to work towards paying me back for the pendant.”
“Which I did not steal.”
“Could take years,” he said in a silky tone.
“Parker, leave us for a moment, if you will.” Once the butler exited and shut the door, Galway came to his feet.
“Allow me to explain matters to you, Miss Cosgrove, because you seem oblivious to your situation. A valuable emerald pendant is gone. You’ve behaved suspiciously ever since. ”
“I didn’t take it.” Helen threw up her hands. “Why would I? Cerise is betrothed. I was to be paid my bonus for a job well done.”
“I’ve no idea, Miss Cosgrove. Frankly, with your questionable background, which my cousin ignored, there isn’t any telling. Nor is there a judge alive who will believe lady’s companion and chaperone over a marquess. Not one.”
Helen gripped the arms of the chair. “You know I didn’t take it.”
“Whether you actually stole the pendant or not is irrelevant, I’m afraid.”
Helen inhaled slowly. “I think it entirely relevant.”
“If you confess, you and I,” his gaze slid over her. “Will reach an agreement for you to work off the debt of the pendant. The piece was quite expensive.”
Helen couldn’t keep the horror from her features. “But I didn’t steal anything.”
“I’m afraid I disagree. If you continue to lie about the theft, Miss Cosgrove, I will be forced to summon the authorities. I won’t sack you, instead I’ll insist that you be imprisoned for your crime.”
“My choices are indentured servitude or imprisonment.” Helen tried to stay calm, even though what she wanted was to punch Galway in the nose.
“I’m afraid so, Miss Cosgrove,” he said in an arrogant tone. “And indentured is such an ugly word.” He leered at her. “Your duties will be simple. Managing the maids. Working with Parker. And seeing to my…needs.”
Helen might well be sick. Violently ill all over Galway and his repulsive intentions. The pendant was gone and there was no way to prove she hadn’t taken it.
He placed the small pouch containing the wages representing her future in the top desk drawer. “I’ll even return your wages at the end of your…debt to me. I’m sure you’d like to think matters over before you make a decision.”
“I will never agree,” she said bravely, though her insides quivered like aspic. “I’ve done nothing wrong. Stolen nothing. Of which you are aware.”
“I’ve always admired your backbone, Miss Cosgrove. That is why I’m giving you this opportunity. Parker.”
The butler opened the door at Galway’s command.
“Please see Miss Cosgrove to her quarters. Perhaps a few days in her room will help loosen her tongue and she will confess her crime,” he said, dismissing them both.
Helen rose, biting back every bitter word. Best not to give Galway any opportunity to claim her mad or hysterical. He meant to force her into his bed and didn’t care whether she was innocent or not.
Parker led her up the stairs, past the startled servants who all looked at Helen in shock. Some with a great deal of pity. But there was nothing any of them could do, not without risking their positions.
Kate stood against the wall just outside Helen’s room, wiping at her eyes.
She gasped as Parker shoved her inside, stunned at the sight of her things strewn across the room. Her small valise had been cut apart. The sheets drawn from her bed. Even the book she’d been reading had the pages ripped out.
“You’ll be brought a tray, later,” Parker intoned. “Hiding behind Kate. Stealing. How despicable of you, Miss Cosgrove.”
“I didn’t steal the emerald pendant. You know as much, Parker.”
“I do not. I’ve never approved of you, Miss Cosgrove. When you first appeared, I recommended to Lord Galway that he not hire you but instead send you packing. How I wish he had heeded my advice.” Parker looked down his nose at her before shutting the door.
“Well I never cared for you either, Parker.” Helen said to the closed door as the lock clicked into place.
Trapped. Still, she went to the door, twisting the knob futilely about.
She plopped down on the bed, her head in her hands.
There was no way to get word to the duchess.
Or Fletcher, who likely wouldn’t be inclined to help anyway. Not after today.
For the first time in years, Helen felt truly hopeless. Alone, in a way she’d never been before. Disgusted by Galway. Her lower lip wobbled. Tears formed. She grabbed a pillow and pushed it to her face to silence the sobs lest Parker hear.