“The master!” Anger flared. “My brother is not the master here. And I can assure you, if he is alive, he can find somewhere else to rest his lousy limbs. I want his things packed, his room emptied.”
“Perhaps you should take a moment and have a sip of port,” Mr Ashwood said calmly.
“Oh, thank you, sir,” Henry blurted. “This whole business has left my nerves in tatters.”
“I was speaking to your mistress, Henry. We can discuss settling your nerves once you’ve explained what happened to the documents entrusted to your care.”
Henry seemed reluctant to speak. He pressed his lips together so tightly she doubted the Spanish Inquisition could part them.
“If you fail to offer an explanation, Henry,” Eva said, “I shall be forced to let you go.”
An inner conflict saw the man scratch his head, rub his neck and tug at his ear. Eventually, he said, “Kathleen was going out to run errands and said she would take them.”
“Kathleen? You gave the letters to Kathleen?”
“Yes, ma’am. I know I shouldn’t have, but the locksmith is coming tomorrow, and Bardsley said I’m to watch him like a hawk. It meant having to do more chores this morning.”
“You’ve arranged to have the locks changed?” Mr Ashwood interjected.
She cast him a sidelong glance. He was so relaxed, so composed.
“It’s a dreadful expense, but I thought it best.”
“I agree.” Mr Ashwood turned his attention to her footman, his countenance darkening dramatically. “Do not give your mistress cause to doubt your loyalty again.”
“N-no, sir,” came Henry’s shaky reply.
“Now, I am sure Miss Dunn would like to speak to Kathleen as a matter of urgency. Might you be trusted to fetch her?”
Henry nodded, but then hesitated. He looked to Eva and waited for confirmation, an act that brought a satisfied smile to Mr Ashwood’s tempting lips.
“You may leave,” she said. “Inform Kathleen that I wish to speak to her at once. You’re not to leave her alone, not for a second, but must escort her here yourself.”
Henry bowed and left the room.
“Your brother has a lot to answer for,” Mr Ashwood said. “I’m inclined to give him a thorough beating though I bet his skin is as thick as his skull.”
“I don’t care what you do as long as I never have to set eyes on him again.” She stared at the man who had broken his pledge, though she was far from annoyed. “You said you would remain silent while I questioned the staff.”
He gave a half shrug. “I did. It was my heart that jumped to your defence. This case will soon be over, and I’ll not have you suffer for their foolishness again.”
She might have teased him, joked that he had no heart, but the feeling behind the comment held her enchanted. Mr Ashwood cared. He intervened, not because it was the logical thing to do, but because his emotions were engaged. He certainly kissed her like he wanted to twine souls.
Hmm.
She considered asking him to spend the night.
But of course she couldn’t.
Lust had robbed her of all reason. Yet her desire for him went beyond a physical need. Deeper affections were engaged. She cared for him, too, far too much.
“I’m not as weak as you think,” she said, though everyone seemed to ride roughshod over her. That’s what came from being a woman with a kind heart. Men took advantage.
“I don’t think you’re weak. We live in a world where men have power. Hemming and Benham seek to assert their authority. They’ve learnt to get what they want through manipulation and fear.”
“Then you must think me foolish for continually placing myself in harm’s way.” So many times, she had wanted to punch Mr Hemming on the nose and curse him to the devil. “But an unmarried lady has to provide for herself.”
“I have no concept of what it’s like to deal with lecherous men while trying to make a living.”