by Fanny Finch
Chapter 32
Liliana had just entered her chambers, still shaken from all that she had learned about Lord Rothwell. She stood in front of the vanity, wondering if she would be able to pull off acting as though nothing was wrong.
She was unlike her sister, Nora. She was terrible at pretending, very terrible. Thankfully, Lord Rothwell had not been out to bid them goodbye as Sebastian took his leave.
It had afforded her time to return to her chamber unseen. Although Sebastian had promised that she did not look worse for the wear, one only had to look more closely to see that she had been crying.
Ah… this would not do.
Thankfully, She found a bowl of water in her bath and carefully cleaned her face.
She was drying with a towel when she heard a knock on her door.
Who could it be?
Hurriedly, she patted her face dry, and rushed to her bedside. Another quick look in the vanity showed that she looked much better. Clearing her throat, she called out…
“Who is it?”
“It is I, Liliana. I have to speak with you concerning some matters.”
Liliana’s entire being turned to ice.
That was lord Rothwell at her door. Why had he come up? What did he wish to speak about? From experience, she knew it never ended well whenever he visited her chambers.
She felt it. Dread. Crawling up her spine… its many tendrils finding their way to other parts of her body until they took control over her.
It was like she had felt in the attic, only, worse.
Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
“Liliana? Are you okay?”
Knowing she could not keep quiet much longer, she forced herself to call out in answer.
“Of course, pardon me… You may come in.”
As she finished, she hurried to gain a little composure, and rein in control over her nerves. She managed to do that just as the door opened and Lord Rothwell stepped in.
“I hope I was not disturbing anything.”
“Not at all. My face felt so hot, so I decided to splash some water. I was simply drying off, is all. Please, sit, uncle,” she gestured at the chair just at the other end of the room. “You wish to speak to me?”
Lord Rothwell followed her hands, eyed the chair, and looked back at her.
“Yes, I do, and thank you, but I would rather stand.”
“Oh, okay… is anything amiss?”
She asked, fighting the urge to withdraw as he started to advance towards her.
“It is exactly what I have come to ask you, dear Lilly. Is anything amiss?”
Despite herself, she faltered, taking a step back.
“I am not quite sure I understand, father…” her voice had gone soft, and she feared they were near quivering.
Oh no. She would not let her nerves best her. Goodness, no. It would be sad to cower before this man. Disappointing indeed.
“It has been days since I spoke to you regarding Rothwell, Liliana. When he arrived today, I supposed he had come to ask for your hand in marriage, but that had not been the case. What is the matter?”
“You gave me two fortnights, father,” she replied. She mentally commended herself when her voice sounded strong once again. Yes, this was it.
Finding courage in that, she took her stand, daring to look him in the eye since he had arrived. It must have startled him, for he came to a halt. There were no more than four feet between them now.
His presence seemed to have swallowed the entire chamber. Tall, imposing, dark. Yet, she stood her ground.
“And now, I have changed my mind. Matters have come up. Matters, which I am certain you are very aware of, if your conversation with Longcross is anything to go by.”
Her conversation? He had heard them? But how?
He must have read the question in her eyes, for he immediately replied.
The book shelf. Behind it is a secret passageway I am certain you are only just coming to know of. Hidden there, it was like being in the room with you. You know, I have to commend you, Liliana. I truly do. I knew you had visited the attic. You thought you had managed to hide yourself so carefully, but I saw you. A piece of your skirts had been caught by the door. I knew you were in the wardrobe.”
Her eyes flew open with shock. He had known? Oh… no wonder he had looked in her direction for far too long.
“See, I do not know what you think you stand to gain, but you cannot win this game. There can be only one winner in this, and that is me. You only have to do as I say.”
“And what would that be?” her voice came out strong once more. She was indeed, proud.
“Oh well, you simply have to force Sebastian’s hands to marry you. I have a plan already, you see. One that would work so well, and so quickly. In less than a fortnight, you two would be married. It is what you want, is it not? When he is married to you, you shall convince him to stop this madness. He shall halt every investigation and consider his father-in-law.”
Liliana could not believe her ears. This was his plan? A chuckle broke free.
It would appear that lord Rothwell was not entirely sensible.
“You clearly do not know Sebastian. If he is not stopping on the account that you are his mother’s cousin, he would not stop just because he is married to your step daughter. Whatever you have planned, it shall only be foiled. Lord Rothwell, you should know better than…”
“Enough!” His roar cut her off, and she almost jumped out of her skin. “You shall do as I say!” He roared again.
“Else?” she asked, her voice low, but steely. She knew not whence she had found this confidence, but she hated evil. Lord Rothwell, was evil. She would stand against him. Never cower. Never. If she did, that would be his first victory.
“You shall kill me the way you killed his brother? The way you killed my father?”
He faltered, the anger in his eyes wavering. It would appear he had not thought she would accuse him to his face.
“You do not know what you speak of. Hanson could not have been left to live.”
“Why? Because he knew things? And Longcross? Why would you not kill him too? After all, he knows just as much as his brother, if not more.”
“Longcross is clever. His death would not spare us, but his life would. We only need to gain control over him. As for Hanson, many people wanted him dead. He knew too much and he was not clever. If I had not given the word, another would have.”
Something inside of her broke.
The last shred of hope she had held on to, destroyed. To hear him confess so. Goodness! He had truly done it.
Her eyes watered with tears, her fury, barely leashed.
“You killed him! It was you! You truly killed him! I am going to tell Longcross. I shall bear witness against you!”
“Enough you silly chit! Enough! It shall be your word against mine!”
“Not with all the evidence against you, it shall not. My words shall simply end this madness. Give them enough to put you in a cell for the rest of your life!”
“Oh hush! You still do not get it, do you? If you do not plan on getting married to Longcross and helping me fulfill this plan, then I shall find someone else to do it! Be reminded! I can change my mind at any time. If any harm ever comes to Sebastian, know that I sought a better way, but you left me no choice. His blood shall be on your hands!”
Her fury broke free then, and she wondered how she restrained herself from rushing at him.
“You will not lay a finger on him!”
She did not know what she looked like to him, her voice reaching the roof, finger almost poking at him, eyes wild with anger.
Perhaps, she made such a fearsome image for she saw the shock and fear flash quickly through his eyes before he recovered. Then, he began to laugh.
Startled, Liliana watched. This man was mad. There was no other word for it. How could he find humor at a time like this?
“What would you do, sweet Lilly? What would you do if laid a finger on your
oh so precious, oh so dear, Sebastian…” he ended softly, in an attempt to mock the way she often called him.
Liliana could not believe that she had been blinded for so long. For so long. This was who Lord Rothwell truly was. This man in front of her. Red eyes and biting words.
He was no father.
“You are vile!” she spat.
“Oh, I thank thee, Liliana. I thank thee, for you have described me so accurately! Ahh… it was so dear speaking with you. Alas, this was futile. I should not have come, but if only for seeing you struggling to be so brave when your eyes trembled with fear, then I shall not regret this visit. In fact, I shall remember it with happiness. For now, though, I am afraid the entertainment has come to an end and I need to take my leave.”
Just like that? Was that it? He was just going to leave her? After confessing? Surely, he could not?
She got her answer when he removed her key from the lock and turned to look at her, his intent written all over him, and her panic over her.
She had realized too late.
“Oh, Liliana… I’m sorry, did you think I would have let you go? After all we have shared? Oh no, surely not. You see, you are going to have to stay locked in here for a very long time to come. I know you have always hated being confined. I can think of no better punishment for you. You shall remain here, cut off from the world, almost going mad from not knowing what I am up to, and you shall think of all that you have done. You shall know that this is punishment for daring to go against me. Maybe with time, you shall come to your senses and finally agree to work in my favor.”
He paused, a sinister smile creeping up his face.
“Before I go though, I must commend you. Good work finding those letters and piecing it all together. I shall save you the trouble. I am no killer. However, I did give the word that put that bullet in your father’s heart. You would never be able to prove that I did it, and it will always be your word against mine. But you would know. And you would live your life, knowing that I got away with it, for I will.”
Before Liliana could process the words, he was gone. She held the lock click into place but she stood there, every part of her drenched in icy waters.
No. It could not be. He had not just confessed to killing her father, had he? Her dearest father. The man who loved her, and cared for her. Surely not. Surely not.
She stood there, for the longest time in denial. Time grew inconsequential as she remembered it all. Every blessed moment with the first man she had ever loved. So powerfully, dearly.
The first time she had looked into his eyes. He had always been there. Her first steps, her first words… a shoulder to lend, hands to hold, a smile to give.
And the more she remembered, the more her shock turned to raw anger, the kind she had never felt before. Her denial began to slip away, her pain overwhelming her.
Rothwell. Rothwell had killed him and now, he had locked her up here to ascertain that she would not escape. No! She had to get out. Somehow, someway!
Rushing to the door, she began to hit, and shake, calling out to anyone who could help her. The maids. Nora.
“Nora!”
But no one came. Not the maids, not her twin. No one. She cried, and pleaded, yet no one came to her rescue. Night fell, and she remained at the door.
Weary, spent, she curled herself into a ball, her eyes drawing close as the moon glistened down on her, causing her tears to shimmer.
_
“She shall be fine. Tomorrow, you may be allowed to visit her. She would be fed and well taken care of, I assure you of that. She simply would not be allowed to leave her room. We cannot take the risk of letting her be seen. Not while you are out there pretending to be her.”
Rothwell knew Nora could hear him, but she would not look at him. She was angry, concerned over her sister but it was only to be expected. They were twins, after all.
He had nothing to fear, though. He had Nora’s loyalty and she had a reason to be on his side.
Unlike Liliana, Nora knew of her stepfather’s crimes… except for the fact that he killed people who stood in his way. She knew of his swindling and theft, his deceit in business.
She paid a blind eye to it for she loved the good life. A life she would not enjoy, if Rothwell could not afford it. A life he could not afford, if he did not steal.
“You said you would not hurt her. What did you do to her? I do not like the sound of her. She sounds… wounded.”
“Only in the soul. You know how stubborn your sister can be. She is simply sorrowful because she has been confined to her chambers. You know how much she dislikes being locked up.”
“What did you tell her?”
“Nothing consequential. She refused to help us get Longcross under our thumb, so you shall have to do it in her stead. It should not be so difficult. You have taken her place so many times.”
“Yes, father. I have. But now, I have a suitor who shall ask for my hand anytime now. I have done all the work on Rashford, father. I cannot be in two places at the same time.”
Rashford was the suitor they had found most agreeable. A marquess, wealthy, and ever willing to do their bidding.
“And you shall not have to be. Rashford has been called away on a trip that would take months. By the time he returns, all of these would be put behind us. Liliana would take her place as Longcross’ rightful wife and you can happily accept Rashford’s proposal.”
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, a small frown on her face. “You make it sound so easy.”
“That is because it is. Nora… look at me. Nora!”
She held his gaze then, finally.
“You shall do as I say, or I shall have to punish you too. If Longcross manages to get us behind bars, you would not be spared. You and your sister would be shamed by society. No good family would want to be affiliated with ladies who have stains on their names. Orphans, no less, with no guardian. Your lives will be ruined, as well as mine. We must stop Longcross before he goes so far. It is only for a while. I assure you.”
“I want to see my sister.”
“Tomorrow, I shall let you. I shall warn you though, she is delusional. She seems to think I killed your father and Hanson. Lies Longcross told her, no doubt. All to turn her against me.”
Her frown deepened. “That’s absurd. You are no murderer.”
Rothwell gave a secret smile. Oh, but this Swan made was much easier to deal with.
“Precisely. In fact, I am not entirely certain Longcross is right for her, any longer. Nevertheless, that remains to be seen. He is hurt you know, he probably believes I am responsible, himself. This is why we must bring him over to our side to see the light. You understand?”
“Yes, father.”
“Good. I knew I could count on you. It is why you have always been my favorite.”
She smiled then, and he knew he had succeeded.
“Alright then, let us go over the plans once again.”
And they did. Over and over again until he was certain nothing would go wrong.
Chapter 33
“Liliana!” Sebastian chimed as he reached the side of the woman he loved.
He had received a letter from her, asking him not to bother coming to the house, as she would be arriving with her step-father. He had been at this ball for over an hour, anticipating her arrival.
Worried, yes, and also just anxious to see her again.
“I am so glad to see you. I have been so worried about you since my last visit. How have you been?”
“I have been well, Sebastian. And you?”
“I too have been well,” he answered, giving a pause. He took his time to look at her. She seemed alright. It would appear no physical harm had been done to her. For this, he was glad.
She looked so beautiful tonight, as always. Oddly, she would not look at him in the eye and she had sounded, different.
Nevertheless, could he blame her? The lady was investigating her stepfather for the death of her true father. That was bo
und to make anyone sad.
“Liliana, look at me, is all amiss? Did he say anything to you? Do anything?”
She looked up them, but avoided his gaze still.
“He, who?”
“You know, my uncle, your stepfather?”
“No! No, he wouldn’t! Why do you ask?”
“Well, you know, during my last visit, we came to the conclusion that he isn’t who we think he is?”
His voice had gone down a notch, though, that was not necessary in such a crowded place.