The earl offered Lady Talgarth and Suzanne a perfunctory bow before retreating quickly to the ballroom entrance. His eyes searched the room once again for Gervaise. He was not there. He had taken the bait, and Justin knew that if he did not hurry, he would lose all, through naught but his own carelessness. But he had only been with Lord Talgarth for no more than five minutes. Damnation.
“Justin.” He whirled about at the sound of his name. He saw Dr. Branyon beckoning to him. He was loath to waste a precious minute. “Arabella was searching for you,” Lady Ann called. “I thought she intended to go to the balcony, but now I cannot find her. Have you seen her, Justin?”
“No, I have not. You must excuse me—when you see Arabella, tell her that I will return shortly.”
“But where are you going?”
He didn’t turn at Dr. Branyon’s question, just kept going through the crowd of chattering guests from the ballroom. It was only when he stepped out into the clear moonlight that the force of Lady Ann’s words broke upon him. Arabella had left, followed the comte.
He would strangle her. He would thrash her. He would burn her ears until she was whimpering. His damned wife, she had gone after Gervaise. Oh God, it could be dangerous. Gervaise had absolutely nothing to lose. He would do anything to gain what he wanted. And now that Justin knew exactly what he was after, he knew Arabella would be in grave danger if she happened to confront him.
He gained the stables in a trice. The groom stood in the doorway, fidgeting nervously. He was not certain whether he should have sent a message to Lord Talgarth that the Countess of Strafford had taken Miss Talgarth’s horse.
The earl bust in upon the groom. “My horse is the bay stallion already saddled in the far stall. Bring him to me at once.” The gentleman had brought his horse over early in the day. What was going on here? Was his wife running away with that young man who had first come to the stables? Oh goodness, but this was exciting. He couldn’t wait to tell all the other lads.
Maybe his lordship didn’t know, maybe—“My lord, her ladyship, your wife—” The words died in the still night, for the Earl of Strafford was already plunging down the drive astride his stallion. He did not look back.
When but a few moments later another young lady came to the stables and begged him to drive her to Evesham Abbey, Allen didn’t hesitate. It was a drama worthy of London and he wanted to see every bit of it. Then he would tell the other lads.
* * *
Arabella stood motionless in the open doorway of the earl’s bedchamber, the heavy pistol held firmly at her side, hidden in the folds of her skirt.
She watched Gervaise as he stood before The Dance of Death panel, a candle raised high in his hand. The image of Josette flashed through her mind. The old servant had stood just as Gervaise stood now, her eyes searching the macabre carving.
She saw him carefully probe with his left hand into the slight hollow recess just beneath the skeleton’s raised shield. She thought his fingers closed over something, perhaps a small knob. As if by magic, the lower edge of the skeleton’s heavy dark wooden shield suddenly slid away and exposed a hidden compartment, no wider than a hand’s width.
So Justin had guessed something. This was why he’d had the carpenter in here supposedly to fix loose floorboards. He didn’t want Gervaise in here. She was smiling as she said, “It is a very clever hiding place, monsieur. Perhaps Josette would have found it if I had not interrupted her. But I’m not certain. As I remember, she wasn’t feeling close to the skeleton’s shield. Perhaps her wits were clouded and she didn’t remember.” She started to bring up the gun and level it at him, but decided there was no reason to, not yet. She said easily, “Do move aside, Gervaise.” He was staring at her, saying nothing, just staring. “Oh yes, I watched you closely all evening. Both Justin and I knew you would have to make your move. Did you not wonder where all the servants were? Justin told them to remain in the kitchen. He wanted you to be able to come uninterrupted to this room. And you did.
“You are a despicable animal, comte.”
Gervaise very slowly took a step away from the panel. He looked surprised, then furious. Now there was no expression at all on his too-handsome face. He looked past her then. He thought Justin should be here, not she. Well, he would be soon. There was no doubt in his mind that the damned earl would be here soon.
“You are looking for the earl. He will be here very soon now.” So she had no idea where the earl was. She was praying out loud, trying to convince him. He was more certain that she was, the little fool. No, she was quite alone. He smiled pleasantly at her. His hand relaxed away from the pistol at his belt and fell to his side. “Arabella, you have surprised me, I will admit it. Would it be foolish of me to ask why you are here?”
“I followed you. Like my husband, I have watched you all evening, Gervaise. I was on the balcony and saw you going to the stables. I followed you.”
“A wild moonlight ride,” he said, still smiling at her. “And in your ball gown. How very enterprising of you, chère madame. But now the time for games, the time for gallantry, is well over. I beg you won’t faint. I won’t hurt you.”
Then he laughed.
Arabella looked down at her
