Library
Home / The Lady Glass / Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Gathered in the drawing room with most of the company, Theresia sat on a corner of the sofa beside Tansy, observing the frantic whispered conversations around her. Overnight the beautiful Ashbury Court transformed into a house of suspicion. After having their rooms searched and everyone questioned, no one fully believed the cover story, that a footman had died in a drunken accident. It was no longer just the hosts who were anxious. The guests were wary, and servants watched over their shoulders.

Despite Theresia having been told the night before only the barest details herself, new pieces of information had since been discovered. Theories were speculated over and conjectures formed. Everyone seemed to have an idea of who was to blame.

With Rolland, His Grace, and Lewis absent from the room and Lord and Lady Barrack confined to theirs, Tansy was left in charge to subdue their guests. But somehow Her Grace ended up consoling Mrs. and Miss Haversham not about their safety but that no, the ball would not be canceled. It seemed their lives were not as important as the distinguishment of residing at the duke's house and attending his private ball. Not one guest had packed their bags to leave. Gossip prevailed over any personal concern of their own. Society's follies were unmeasured.

Then again, Theresia's own motivation for staying presented an equal risk and level of stupidity.

She flicked her eyes to Andalin, who had wrapped herself up in dismissing theories made by Mr. Stewart and Miss Yearsley, with Lord Vernon scowling behind them. Tension radiated from every last one of them. Theresia glanced over by the veranda doors to see Mr. Haversham and Mr. Hawke deep in each other's confidences. She both wanted and feared to know what they were speaking about. Dare she try to listen in?

The truth was, someone in this room was a murderer. And whoever that was had also possibly stolen her vase and could not find out who she was. It had been easier to chase away the duke's warning last night, but today it rang with unnerving truth in her mind.

The tension inside her mounted until it drove her to her feet. The pianoforte appeared to be the only corner of reprieve, so she crossed the room toward it. Sitting on the bench, she thumbed through the selection of music. There had to be something here to soothe her tightened nerves. It wasn't the violin, but it was something.

"Lady Glass, I had hoped for a moment to speak to you alone." Lord Vernon leaned over the back of the instrument and rested his elbow on it. She didn't like the way he stared at her, as if he knew she was hiding something.

"Is something troubling you?" She glanced at the others in the room, but all were oblivious to them.

"Indeed, I am deeply troubled." Lord Vernon's eyes narrowed. "You see, it did not take long for me to decipher the real reason for this house party. After all, none of us are close friends with the duke, and there is nothing seemingly obvious tying us together. But the timing was what gave it away, with Lord Barrack preparing for the Congress of Vienna and the recent death of Lord Castlereagh's secretary. The only piece that did not fit was you, Lady Glass."

"Oh?" Her fingers shook, but she forced herself to thumb through a few more pages. "I do not take your meaning."

He leaned closer, lowering his face nearer to her own. "I think you know exactly what I'm speaking of. Why don't you tell me the real reason you're here. Who are you, Lady Glass?"

Theresia's identity was never meant to be discovered, and there had been no contingency plan in the event it was. She'd never be able to show her face in polite English Society again, which would be acceptable to her if she had her vase and were returning home—and if she were ready to sever every last tie she had here.

If she were ready to abandon Rolland.

The sound of her heart racing drummed in her ears. "Really, Lord Vernon. You speak in riddles. Must a house party be so complicated? Are we not all here for a little end-of-summer frivolity?" Her voice wavered on her last word, and she coughed into her hand. "Do you sing? Someone ought to sing." She stood from the bench, scattering a few sheets of music onto the floor in the process. She didn't care. She was ready to ask every last person in the room for a musical number.

When she rounded the corner of the instrument, Lord Vernon caught her arm. "The music can wait. Why don't we take a walk."

She had no intention of going anywhere with him, but what if he made a scene? What if he warned the others about her? Her entire pretend world was collapsing. "Another time perhaps." She attempted to step back, but his grip on her arm remained firm.

"It won't take but a moment," he said. "I just want answers. You can't be afraid of a short turn about the gardens." He tugged her forward at the same time she felt a hand take her other arm.

"A walk sounds nice," Rolland said, stepping closer to her. "I think I will join you."

"This is a private walk, Captain."

Theresia shook her head. "I already told you, Lord Vernon. I don't care to walk. I am interested in playing the pianoforte just now."

"A little music will be even better." Rolland pointed behind her toward the bench. "Shall we?"

"Of course."

Lord Vernon dropped his hand and nearly snarled. "I will be certain to catch you alone another time. We have a conversation to finish." He stalked across the room to the place behind the sofa he'd vacated only minutes before, one angry hand on his hip and his eyes shooting daggers their way.

Theresia gathered the littered sheets of music back into her shaking hand and dug out Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 1. She began playing the adagio movement, and Rolland slipped onto the narrow bench beside her, his thigh pressing into hers. A sliver of pleasure was immediate, but it did not negate the mounting feeling that more trouble was brewing.

"He's still watching us, isn't he?" Theresia refused to look, but she had to know.

"Yes. Act natural if you can."

Her fingers finished another line before she whispered, "He knows the purpose behind the house party. He knows I know something." The panic she'd been staving off seemed to take hold of her again.

Rolland's leg tightened beside her, but that was the only sign he gave of any reaction. "He's trying to intimidate you into talking."

"It's working." Another line of music fell emotionless over the keys, but her own internal melody was reaching a crescendo. "If he discovers I'm not Lady Glass—"

"No one will question the word of a duke, a baron, and a decorated naval captain. Your identity is safe."

"I don't know, Rolland. I have this terrible feeling."

His deep voice came out slow, his words carefully chosen. "Fear has a way of consuming a person. I saw it in the war. You have to replace it with something else."

Music usually comforted her, but it was Rolland's words she was hanging on to now. "What?"

"Believe good will conquer evil. Hope for it so hard that there is no room inside you to falter to your fears."

"I'll try."

"That's all any of us can do. Except I need one more thing from you." His hand moved to cover her knee.

"Rolland," she hissed, managing to find her place on the page once more. "Someone will see you." She had meant to steal only a glance at him, but his penetrating gaze captured hers.

He didn't move his hand. "Are you paying attention? This is important."

How could she do anything but? He might have been trying to help her focus on his words, but no one could explain that to her heart. She was barely managing to keep playing and returned her gaze to the music. "Go ahead. I'm listening."

"Promise me you won't go anywhere alone. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Theresia, but I need you to agree to this one thing."

She nodded.

"I know you too well. I need to hear you say it."

"I promise." She believed him capable of protecting her. He had done so time and again. And with her decision to trust him, the loud voice of warning in her head was finally suppressed. She glanced at him again, and this time she was capable of a small smile.

Surely, with Rolland nearby, there was nothing to worry about.

Lady Glass was safe.

She was safe.

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.