London stumbles to her feet and fights back a sob as Tessa gestures to the maze and shoves her along.
“Faster!” Tessa shouts as they enter the wall of shrubs. “It was brilliant, London the way you lived amongst us. I used your idea to dress as a maid and enter this house. It's beautiful, and it would've been mine.”
They reach the middle of the garden where the water fountain is, and Tessa laughs, “Look at how far we've come. Turn around and look at me! Look what you've done!”
London turns to look at her and stares in shock. “Tessa,” she gasps. Gone is the perfectly dressed Lady and in her place, an angry, bitter woman. Her dark hair is twisted up in a messy knot beneath her maid's cap.
“Lady Hubbard!” she shouts, then takes a deep breath to calm down. “I look amazing, much better than you did,” she smooths the white apron over her black dress and glares with hatred.
“What are you going to do to me?” London demands, angry now, and glances around looking for an escape.
Tessa stares at her and lifts the trembling pistol, “I’m going to kill you and take away everything you lo…”
Declan and Matthew run in from behind as a shot echoes out. Tessa screams as a bullet strikes the gun, sending the pistol skidding across the ground. She tries to run, but Declan tackles her to the ground.
London sinks to the path, sobbing.
Tessa is screaming, “You ruined everything!”
Jonathan runs into view with his rifle slung over his shoulder. “I’ve got her, Declan,” and takes over, handcuffing Tessa.
Declan runs to his wife. He runs his hands all over her looking for wounds. “I thought she shot you!”
“I'm okay,” she hisses when he reaches her shoulder. Matthew offers a handkerchief, and they ignore Tessa's rantings until she calls Declan's name.
“Declan, did you know your wife has a father in the workhouses?” She laughs when they turn to look at her. “Or should I say, had a father in the workhouse?” she stops struggling and pleads for him to listen to her.
“What did you say?” London’s brown eyes narrow on Tessa as Declan helps her to her feet.
“This creature lied to us for years, pretending to be someone else, while her own father rotted away in a workhouse! How can you trust her? She planned and plotted to get the shares of your company with my husband! They were lovers!” Desperate now, she screams out anything that will make him listen.
Declan laughs, he knows better, “That’s absurd.” London’s ears roar with a strange sound as terror fills her mind. “She said had a father,” she whispers.
“Her own father died broken-hearted, waiting for his daughter to come and save him!”
“NO! What did you do to my father?” London screams and runs at her, forcing Declan to hold her back.
“You should thank me, Mouse. He was ready to die! You broke his heart.” Laughing now, Tessa screams, “He wasn't even invited to the wedding! You should've seen his face when I showed him the picture of you on your wedding day. It was heartbreaking.”
“You're a monster,” she screams, fighting Declan to get to her. He's surprised by the burst of strength as she struggles to break free. “Let me go!” London rages.
“You're not alone, London, never again,” Declan says into her ear, and the sound of his voice causes her to freeze. She turns, sobbing in his arms.
“I’m not the monster, Mouse, you are! Every word you speak is a lie!” Spittle flies from her lips.
“Is it true, London? Is your father in a workhouse?” Declan asks her.
“Yes,” Tessa screams. “I have proof. It’s all in my pocket, the paperwork, the ledger showing all her investments. I have it all!”
London stares at Declan, seeing the confusion and hurt.
“Release me,” she demands, and when he hesitates, she pulls away from him and turns facing Tessa, noticing the necklace for the first time.
“Let me tell you a story about a mouse,” her voice trembles with emotion as she looks at them.
“Once an Earl was happily married to a lovely woman. She was his world, and he was hers. They couldn't bear to be apart. He was always reaching for her, and she glowed with his love and adoration.” The memory has her reaching out as if to touch.
“When the sickness struck, hundreds were infected. I’m sure you remember, the newspapers wrote about it.” She shakes her head as if to clear the memory. “Cholera stole the light and love from their lives. Their only child, who was eleven, lost her mother and her father on the same day.”
“Poor little mouse,” Tessa sneers.
London ignores her taunts; she only has eyes for Declan.
“Her father drank away his sorrow, leaving her to fend for herself. He was broken and began gambling, soon it was all gone. His title, his holdings, every memento that would have been cherished, save one. He gambled away everything, save her.”
London moves quickly, stomping to Tessa and ripping the locket from her neck. “This was my mother’s!” Tessa’s shouts in shock and no one moves for a moment as she turns, and pops open the locket.
London hands it to Declan, who looks down. He closes his eyes, blocking out the image of a honey-haired child, broken-hearted and alone.
“Surely, you’re not falling for this, Declan!” Tessa’s shrill voice has him turning on her.
“You may address me as your Lordship or Duke! Get this creature out of here!” She is guided from the yard, spitting mad and shouting obscenities at them. Jonathan loads her into a carriage to take her to the Sheriff.
The yard falls quiet, and he reaches for her, but she backs away from him with a shake of her head.
“No!”
