“I heard your words,” he snapped. “It was the meaning I
didn’t fathom.”
“You’re in danger too. I heard the villagers talking.”
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“Th
ere is no point arguing. Come, Lady Augusta waits
for you in the Chinese drawing room.” He didn’t have time
for this.
Rosalind wanted to screech in a tantrum of Miranda pro-
portions. He refused to acknowledge the danger to himself
while he ordered her about like a servant. Who would watch
his back? Th
ere would be no dark-haired sons or daughters
for her if her husband died.
A resolute determination crept to the surface, undaunted
by Hastings’ threats. Th
ere was too much of her future at
stake here. If he refused to take safety concerns into account,
then she’d act as guard and escort.
Hastings escorted her to the Chinese drawing room and
paused before entering. Rosalind grimaced at the closed door
that separated them from Lady Augusta’s wrath. “Can’t you
pretend you searched and couldn’t fi nd me?”
Hastings’ chuckle held clear satisfaction. It was obvious
he intended to keep her busy waiting on Lady Augusta so she
wouldn’t have time to disobey his edicts.
He pushed the door open and stood aside for her to
enter. Lady Augusta sat in an upright chair, her head lowered
in sleep.
“Where are you going now?” Rosalind murmured. Th
e
man was in danger, whether he believed it or not.
218
THE SECOND SEDUCTION
“I need to check on the roofi ng and rebuilding in the
village.”
“I don’t think we should wake Lady Augusta,” Rosalind
said. “She needs her rest.”
At that moment, Lady Augusta stirred. Her head whipped
up, instantly alert. “What took you so long? I summoned you
an hour ago.”
Hastings edged toward the door and disappeared.
“I have just returned from the village,” Rosalind said. “I
came as soon as I realized you needed me.”
“Humph! I need more of that tonic you made me.”
“I thought you said it didn’t help.”
Lady Augusta’s glare was sharp enough to pierce the thick
castle walls, but it didn’t put a dent in Rosalind’s rising spirits.
Lady Augusta had gifted her a reason to wander outside.
She worked at keeping her satisfaction hidden but it
burst forth in a smile. “I’ll need to collect more fresh herbs
before I can make more tonic. I’ll see to it immediately.” Ro-
salind bustled from the Chinese room. If she hurried, she’d
catch up with Hastings. Rosalind had no intention of letting
him out of her sight. Th
e fact that Hawk had assigned men
to follow her husband didn’t bode well. Her best friend had
disappeared without a trace, and she didn’t intend to lose her
husband in the same way.
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SHELLEY MUNRO
In the long gallery, the same edgy sensation she experi-
enced while she was alone in her chamber shivered down her
backbone. Rosalind forced away her unease and pretended
she noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
When she entered the Great Hall, she slowed. Escape
from the castle would require subtlety, especially if an un-
known stranger spied on her every action. Janet and the
dark-haired maid strolled through and seconds later, Tickell
followed. Rosalind fl attened against the wall and was thank-
ful she wore an old brown open robe that blended in to the
Flemish tapestry where she hovered. Th
eir footsteps faded
and after ascertaining the way was clear, Rosalind slipped
outside. She scurried along the courtyard wall, heading for
the small gate that led into the North Tower garden.
Rosalind wasn’t sure where Lucien had intended going.
Her mind had blanked all but their kiss. Under normal cir-
cumstances, she’d have been thrilled to lose her accursed
gift, but not right now when she needed to keep Lucien
safe. Frowning, she fi nally headed for the North tower, her
skirts sweeping past the tangle of plants and blackberries.
It wouldn’t hurt to investigate a little under the pretext of
searching for herbs.
At the edge of the garden wilderness, her steps slowed.
She squinted into the afternoon sun. Th
e North tower clung
220
THE SECOND SEDUCTION
to the edge of the cliff . Part of the weathered gray tower had
crumbled into the sea leaving a skeleton behind. A pile of
debris blocked the arched doorway. As Rosalind pondered
the tower, a raven fl ew through a slit in the wall, its loud
caw echoing eerily before it reached the open sky. A shudder
worked through her body, and she glanced over her shoulder
in disquiet.
Th
en she heard it — the clip-clop of hooves on the stony
track that ran the other side of the tower. A fl icker of ap-
prehension gave her feet wings. Rosalind ran for an oak tree
at the edge of the garden and scrambled up into the lower
branches.
Th
e horse trotted closer. A combination of trepidation
and daring swept through her veins when Rosalind peered
through the screen of green leaves.
Lucien.
221
XII
Oops. Lucien had seen her. Th e clenched jaw and nar-
rowed eyes were discouraging, but she owed it to Mary
to keep searching. Mary would do nothing less for her. And
as for her husband — he was in danger whether he denied
it or not. Her chin lifted in determination when she met his
scowling gaze.
Rosalind clambered down from the low oak branch and
put her gown and cloak to rights. “Ah, good afternoon.”
“What the devil do you think you’re doing?”
“You’re in danger. I’ve tried to tell you, yet you refuse
to listen.”
A bark of laughter escaped him, transforming his face
into someone more approachable, a man she defi nitely wanted
to know. “What sort of danger?”
THE SECOND SEDUCTION
“A man is going to kill you.” Rosalind bit her lip, un-
decided on how much to tell him. She’d worked so hard to
earn his approval, his trust . . . his smiles. Telling him of her
cursed gift would change everything.
“How do you know?” he asked, curiosity glinting in his
dark eyes.
Panic roared through her, lodging like a huge knot inside
her stomach. She wrenched her gaze away. She couldn’t tell
him only to watch the fear and superstition slide across his
face like a mask. A few words and her fate would be sealed.
Th
e secure, loving relationship she craved would slip beyond
her grasp. “I just know,” she whispered.
Lucien snorted. “I suggest you return to the castle. We
will discuss your punishment when I return.”
“Didn’t
you hear? You’re in danger. I think someone is
trying to hurt you.”
“Where is your escort?”
“I don’t have one.”
“Return to the castle now. I will deal with you when I
return.”
He wheeled Oberon about and galloped away.
Rosalind winced at his anger. He didn’t believe her. What
was she going to do? She couldn’t tell him how she knew. Her
gift. Her visions. He’d start treating her like a circus freak, if
223
SHELLEY MUNRO
he didn’t call her witch fi rst or commit her to Bedlam just as
her aunt had constantly threatened.
Rosalind’s uneasiness increased when Hastings failed to
appear for the evening meal.
“Where is Hastings?” Lady Augusta demanded of Charles.
“I have no idea.” He turned to Justin who had joined the
family for dinner. “Did you see him on the way here?”
Justin shrugged and toyed with his glass of wine. “I
haven’t seen him. I’ve been . . . otherwise engaged.”
“Dallying with that widow on the road to Dover, no
doubt,” Lady Augusta snapped. “He’s a bad infl uence on you,
Charles. You’ll never get wed if you carry on like Justin!”
“We’re not children any longer, Aunt,” Charles said in
a mild voice. “Besides, you enjoy Justin’s tales of life in the
sultan’s court. You can’t call them children’s stories.”
“I could tell you about the harem,” Justin said slyly,
winking at Rosalind.
“Humph,” Lady Augusta said, pretending off ense, but
Rosalind caught the clear curiosity on her lined face.
St. Clare chimed in. “Lucien told me he wanted to check
the roofi ng work on the cottages in the village. Th
at was
224
THE SECOND SEDUCTION
hours ago.”
Worry killed Rosalind’s appetite and she stopped trying
to eat. Something had happened to him. She just knew it. If
the stubborn man had listened to her . . .
“Th
at sounds like Hastings now,” Charles said when they
heard a commotion from the direction of the Great Hall.
“Th
oughtless man,” Lady Augusta snapped. “We’ve al-
ready fi nished our soup. I refuse to wait while Hastings eats
his soup.”
Tickell entered the dining room. “Lady Rosalind . . .”
Rosalind bounded to her feet before the butler fi nished.
“Where is he?”
“In his chamber. He asked that you attend him there.”
Rosalind fl ew down the passages and up the stairs, barely
registering her surroundings. Hastings was hurt. Th
e words
pounded through her brain. She burst into his chamber, her
breath coming in gasps.
“I told Tickell not to bother you.”
“You’re bleeding.” Rosalind sought the source of the
blood on his face. “Let me get my bag.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Th
en, let me see,” Rosalind replied. Before he could
argue, she moved closer, brushing a lock of hair away from
his forehead. She swallowed a laugh, turning it into a choking
225
SHELLEY MUNRO
gasp at the last moment. “Is the rebuilding on schedule?”
His eyes narrowed as his gaze fastened on her face.
“Everything is fi ne.”
“I have salve in my bag that will help the cut heal.”
“All right,” he growled. “If you must, but it’s not necessary.”
Rosalind nodded and hurried to her chamber. Her smile
bloomed. He’d tripped over a log while playing with two
children and was too embarrassed to admit his clumsiness.
Still grinning, she burst into her chamber. Th
e grin died a
quick death.
“No!”
Her belongings were strewn over the fl oor, her bed linens
ripped from the bed. Slowly, she made her way through the
path of destruction. Her new silk gowns were tossed care-
lessly on the fl oor. One glance told her they were shredded
beyond repair. Rosalind scooped up the broken remains of
her hairbrush, the last remaining memento she had of her
mother. Tears stung her eyes. Why? she thought. Th
e wanton
destruction seemed so senseless, as if the person had destroyed
all her belongings in a jealous rage.
“Noir?” His plaintive meow started a frantic search.
“Noir, where are you?”
Another meow sounded, then a small black head poked
from under a pile of bed linens. Rosalind scooped him up,
226
THE SECOND SEDUCTION
hugging the kitten to her chest. “Th
ank goodness you are all
right. I bet you saw who did this.” She stroked a fi nger over
his head until he started to purr.
Sighing, she placed Noir on the bare feather mattress and
searched for the bell to ring for help. Th
e maid announced
her arrival with a brief knock on the door.
“Come in,” Rosalind called.
Janet slipped through the door and came to a stunned
halt. “Lady Rosalind, what happened?”
“My room was like this when I came up.”
“I’ll call another maid to help clean up. You’ll want fresh
linens for the bed too.” Janet turned to the door. “I’ll be back
in a few minutes.”
Rosalind sighed as she started to pick up her treasured
knickknacks: a small china shepherdess with her head broken
off , a glass vase, and the selection of fl owers that it had once
contained, and several mismatched shoes.
Janet returned with another maid sauntering in her wake.
Th
e maid’s ample chest heaved with a put upon sigh when she
saw the mess to clear up.
“I checked with the other maids. None of them saw
anyone enter your chamber. And Beth turned down your
bed,” Janet said.
“I did. Everything was in order when I left.” Beth circled the
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SHELLEY MUNRO
room in a slow, leisurely gait. “You’ve got enemies, you has.”
Rosalind bit back the retort at her lips. Th
e woman had
to state the obvious. “If you would make up my bed, I’ll help
Janet sweep the fl oor.”
“Make sure you shake the linens well before you take
them away. A little more glass and broken china on my fl oor
won’t do any harm. Here, I’ll shift Noir for you so you can
make up the bed.” She put the kitten in a corner, gave him a
scrap of ribbon to play with, and told him sternly to stay out
of the way.
Th
e cleanup took two hours and by the time they were
fi nished, Rosalind’s back ached.
Th
ankful they were fi nished, she smiled at Janet and
Beth. “Th
ank you for helping.”
“‘Tis no trouble, Lady Rosalind,” Janet murmured.
“Sleep well.”
Th
e maid’s comment made Rosalind realize how late
it was. Oh, goodness! She’d completely forgotten about the
&nb
sp; salve for Lucien. Rosalind hesitated before deciding against
returning. Lucien hadn’t wanted her to fuss over him. Per-
haps tomorrow. A yawn escaped before she could contain it.
Although she wished she were able to sink onto her bed and
drift to sleep, she had things to do. Determination solidifi ed
inside as she ushered the maids out. If it took her the rest of
228
THE SECOND SEDUCTION
the night, she intended to fi nd the secret passage that led
from her room.
Rosalind started at her chamber door and worked her
way around to her bed. Each portion of the wall was exam-
ined in minute detail. She tapped the walls, listening for a
telltale hollowness. Even though logic told her she would
fi nd the passage low, she dragged a chair over to the wall and
stood on tiptoes to tap the wall above her head. Nothing.
Rosalind doggedly continued her search, climbing up on the
chair, scrambling back off . Still nothing. Rosalind frowned,
biting her bottom lip in vexation. Her knuckles throbbed
from the constant tapping, but she carried on. Th
ere was a
passage here. She knew it. Th
ere was no other way for some-
one to gain access to her room so easily. She paused mid-tap.
Unless one of the maids was the culprit?
Rosalind rocked back on her heels, considered the pos-
sibility and discarded it. It would be diffi
cult for one of the
maids to spirit her clothes away and destroy her belongings
without others seeing or being part of the plot.
Th
e search continued, Rosalind working while her mind
twisted the puzzle, probing for answers.
Th
e dull, echoing thud did not register at fi rst. She stopped
in front of a bureau. It looked heavy and unwieldy, but Rosa-
lind was determined to make her search a thorough one. With
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SHELLEY MUNRO
a loud, unladylike grunt, she yanked at the bureau. It moved
surprisingly easily considering the size. Rosalind paused to
take a deep breath, grasped the corners fi rmly, and tugged
again. Small rollers attached to the bottom of the furniture
aided its quick and eff ortless movement. A draft, a whisper
of wind ran across her face, tugging at tendrils of her hair.
Rosalind gasped. Excitement pounded through her veins.
Tiredness dropped away as she held a candle aloft to study the
gaping hole in the wall where the bureau had stood.
“Yes,” she whispered. Th
e grin of success spread across
The Second Seduction Page 19