The Scandalous Lady Sandford (Lost Ladies of London 3)

It suddenly occurred to her that she’d not seen Mary since the night of the attack. She had been so preoccupied with Fabian, one day had merged seamlessly into the next.

“Did you see Mary yesterday?” Lillian had seen Ursula. She’d asked the maid to style her hair despite taking part in the parrying competition. It had been a ploy, purely to gauge the woman’s reaction after the incident with the intruder.

The corners of Mackenzie’s mouth turned down. “I’ve not seen her since we shared supper. What with his lordship’s return and watching the prisoner, I’ve not had a chance to visit her.”

“I can go.” She needed to divert her attention away from the two men fighting in the great hall. Hopefully, by the time she returned they would have put aside their differences. “The walk will do me good.”

Mackenzie shook his head. “Och, don’t trouble yourself, my lady. I’ll find time to check on her today. Besides, after the attack in your chamber, his lordship won’t want you going out alone.”

Lillian forced a smile. Mackenzie assumed she’d told Fabian about the late-night intruder. She had planned to tell him but, like Vane, his need to protect her would prove stifling.

“Have you had any luck finding the treasure-hunting rabbits?” she said in a bid to change the subject. “Did you discover who has taken to digging up the heathland?”

Mackenzie glanced back over his shoulder before bowing his head. “I’ve not mentioned it to Lord Ravenscroft yet. After what happened with Doyle, I fear he’ll distrust the men.”

“Perhaps the culprit is merely looking for a way to occupy his time until his next voyage. I imagine most sailors long for a new adventure.”

“Happen you’re right. I’ve kept watch, but even the real rabbits are too shy to show themselves.”

Mary had accompanied them on their inspection. Did she know those responsible? Had she challenged them and now hid in her cottage in fear of her life?

“Let’s hope they appear soon. I’m rather partial to Mrs Bell’s rabbit stew.”

“Aye, the woman knows—”

“There you are, Mackenzie.” Mrs Bell waddled towards them bringing the smell of cooked apples with her. “Isaac said I’d find you here.” Her mouth fell open when Mackenzie stepped aside and she spotted Lillian. Mrs Bell curtsied. “Forgive me for interrupting, my lady. What with Mackenzie’s broad shoulders, I didn’t see you standing there.”

“That’s quite all right, Mrs Bell. We were just discussing the merits of your rabbit stew.”

The woman blushed. “Well, I can’t take all the credit. My old mother’s recipe never fails to hit the spot on a chilly night.”

“You were looking for Mackenzie,” Lillian prompted, ignoring the clatter from within the hall. “Please, do not let me stop you from your work.”

“Oh, yes.” Mrs Bell peered up at the man twice her height. “You asked me to tell you should anything else go missing from the kitchen.”

Mackenzie shifted nervously.

“Things are going missing from the kitchen?” Lillian said. No one had mentioned it before. Perhaps one of the men had taken advantage of her husband’s absence. “Have you informed Lord Ravenscroft?”

Mrs Bell seemed surprised she’d asked. “Mackenzie told the master.”

“His lordship asked me to investigate,” Mackenzie replied. “But there’s been so much happening of late I’ve not got around to it.”

Mrs Bell tutted. “It’s food today but what might it be tomorrow? Once a thief always a thief, that’s what my old father used to say.”

“Why would a man steal food?” With Fabian’s wealth, surely he could afford to feed a thousand men.

“That’s what I came to say.” Mrs Bell reached into her apron pocket and removed a small metal object. “It’s not a man were looking for. I found this in the pantry.” She opened her fingers to reveal a cloak pin crafted in the shape of a thistle.

Mackenzie sucked in a sharp breath as his face grew pale.

“I might be wrong,” Mrs Bell continued, “but does this not belong to Mary?”

Mackenzie paused before finally nodding. “Aye, that’s Mary’s pin. It belonged to her grandmother. The woman came from Skye hence the design.”

“Well, I can’t see she had cause to be in the pantry,” Mrs Bell said. “Unless she was fetching something for you, my lady.”

Once the gossip mill rolled, it wouldn’t stop regardless of a person’s innocence or guilt. And while Lillian had every reason to doubt Mary’s loyalty, the distress marring Mackenzie’s usually jolly countenance forced her to lie.