“And now the truth shall come to light anyway,” I responded.
“That is where you are incorrect, orphan duchess. I murdered one woman to prevent the truth from surfacing.” He raised his eyebrows at me. My pulse raced and my throat went dry. Tears formed and threatened to spill to my cheeks. I glanced around the room for any help. Sir Richard glanced to the boarded window. “This will not prove as easy as the first time. I suppose I shall have to make do.”
He lunged toward me. I dropped to my knees and scrambled toward the door. He caught my injured ankle and pulled me backward toward him. My fingernails scraped across the stone floor as I tried to stop my backward progress. Pain shot through my leg and I cried out as I fought to free myself. His grasp tightened as I attempted to kick him with my free leg.
My leg found purchase and struck him in the chest. He fell backward, releasing my ankle. I scurried toward the door, climbing to my feet. I took one step toward the doorway when Sir Richard rammed into me, shoving me against the wall. Pinned, I was unable to move or fight. Tears spilled from my eyes as the rough stone walls scraped against my cheek. Sir Richard spun me to face him.
“I want to watch the life leave your eyes,” he growled. His hands tightened around my neck. I grasped at them, desperately trying to pull them away. I was no match for his strength. As blood rushed into my ears, I struggled to breathe, my vision became fuzzy and my knees began to buckle.
Chapter 25
An icy chill passed through me and I assumed my life was leaving my body and death was replacing it. Over the rushing blood in my ears, I heard what sounded like a train being driven through a wall. Strong wind gusted around the room.
In an instant, Sir Richard’s grip on me weakened. He stumbled backward several steps. I clutched at my throat, gasping for breath. Annie stood at the window. The boards were ripped off, one lay meters from Sir Richard. It must have struck him in the head, causing his retreat.
“GO!” Annie shouted.
In a panic, I flew from the room. I flung myself headlong down the stairs. Tears blurred my vision. I tumbled into the hallway. Regaining my balance, I fled down the hall. I glanced behind me as I heard footsteps on the stone stairs.
As I turned back, I collided into someone. I struggled as arms closed around me. “Lenora, Lenora, stop, it’s me, it’s Edwin.”
“Edwin?” I choked out. “Edwin, you must help me.”
A new voice entered the conversation. “Oh, good, you caught her,” Sir Richard chimed in.
Horrified, I glanced back at Sir Richard, then to Edwin. What did he mean? Sir Richard continued. “Quickly, hand her over, I shall finish the job.” Edwin hesitated, not moving. “Now, Edwin! We haven’t much time.”
“We shall be caught. It will not be like the last time!” Edwin warned. I struggled to free myself but was no match for Edwin’s strength.
“Let me go!” I shouted.
“No, they will believe something preternatural occurred. We cannot allow her to leave. She knows, Edwin. She will tell, and it will mean the end for both of us. You played a part in Annie’s death, too, remember.”
Edwin paused again, and Sir Richard continued his attempt to convince Edwin to his cause. Edwin’s grasp on me tightened, and I fought, fearing I was to be handed over to face my death. “And I wish to God Almighty I hadn’t,” Edwin spat out, shoving me behind him. “Run, Lenora, go!”
I tore down the hall as Sir Richard attempted to reverse Edwin’s decision. “Edwin, you shall be ruined right along with me if this gets out. You will be disowned! Unwelcome anywhere, a social pariah.”
“Leave, Richard. Go now and you may be spared. They can prove nothing, just get out.”
I rounded the corner and their voices faded away. I sprinted down the hall, ignoring the screaming pain in my ankle. When I entered the hallway containing my room, I spotted Ella coming toward me. “Sinclair!” I screamed.
“Your Grace!” she exclaimed as I flung myself into her arms. “What is it?”
I sobbed as I clung to her, attempting to restore a feeling of safety. “Quickly,” I gasped out. “You must fetch Duke Blackmoore.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Ella assured me.
“Speak to no one, fetch His Grace and bring him at once to my room.”
I sent Ella on her way, entering my room and bolting the door behind me. I paced the floor inside, my mind whirling at the turn of events. Moments seemed like hours and I worried that Ella may have been accosted or perhaps Robert. Had Sir Richard confronted one or both of them? I should have gone with Ella. I should not have sent her alone. Though I was weakened from the attack, I should have pushed myself. I fretted as I traversed the floorboards, my hand on my forehead.
Finally, the doorknob turned, and the door rattled in the jamb. I froze, staring at the doorway. A fist pounded against it. “Lenora?” Robert’s voice answered.
“Yes!” I called, rushing to the door and unlocking it.
I hurled the door open and flung myself into his arms. “Lenora!” he exclaimed, holding me closer. “What is it?”
I pushed back from him. “Where is Sir Richard? Edwin?”
“Gone,” he answered. “Buchanan put them in the carriage moments ago.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes,” he answered, his brow furrowing. “Why?”
I closed my eyes as relief washed through me. So, he had departed as Edwin suggested. “Lenora, what is it?” Robert prodded.
I opened my eyes and stared into his stormy gray eyes. Tears threatened as I considered the information I had to share. I had solved the mystery, but I did not receive the answers I expected. The news would be as shocking to him as it was to me. But I must
