The Scandalous Lady Sandford (Lost Ladies of London 3)

“Quick, my lady, we should turn back.”

“It’s too late.”

They blinked to keep the rain from their lashes, held their arms out in front of them to maintain their balance. They moved closer to the cliff-face, to the cluster of rocks littering the beach.

“We should keep moving,” Ursula shouted.

“No. We’ll take shelter here. I’ll use my cloak to shield us until the storm passes.”

The rocks were rough and jagged, in varying hues of grey, and covered in barnacles. Lillian rushed behind them and was about to untie her cloak when she saw the narrow entrance to a cave.

Relief coursed through her.

“Quick, Ursula, I’ve found shelter. Hurry!”

Ursula stood on the beach, frozen to the spot. Was she afraid of being buried beneath a landslide? Did she know of the cave but had an irrational fear of the dark?

Lillian clambered over the scattering of giant stones. The entrance was nothing but a black mouth leading to heaven knows where. A pang in her stomach caused her to hesitate. But the inclement weather forced her inside.

She waited for Ursula, but the smell of smoke drew her attention to the cavernous space behind. Someone was in the cave. Unable to see the orange glow of a fire, she placed her hands on the damp wall and shuffled deeper inside.

What if Mary had sought sanctuary?

What if she needed a place to hide from the men?

“Mary?” Lillian continued through the puddles of stagnant water. Surely the woman wouldn’t take refuge in a cave that flooded during high tide. “Mary, are you in here?”

The smell of smoke grew stronger, and Lillian noticed the faint amber light warming the rock face. The crack and pop of burning wood reached her ears. She turned right into a recess, saw the black pot hanging from a tripod over the campfire. A figure lay curled up into a ball on the ground.

Lillian rushed over and crouched down. One look at the fiery red locks and she knew she’d found Mary.

“Mary, can you hear me?” Lillian gripped the woman’s arm and shook her. “Wake up.”

Mary stirred. She raised her head off the ground and peered at Lillian through half-closed eyes. “Lady Ravenscroft? Is it really you?”

“Are you hurt?”

Confusion marred the woman’s brow. She blinked rapidly and tried to sit up. “You shouldn’t be in here,” Mary whispered, fear evident in her tone. “Go. You must go quickly before he comes back. Find Lord Ravenscroft. Go now.”

Only when Mary gestured to the cave mouth did Lillian notice the rope binding the woman’s hands. “Who did this to you? Was it one of the men?”

“There’s no time. You must leave.”

“But I cannot abandon you here.”

A firm hand gripped Lillian’s shoulder. “There you are, my lady.” Ursula’s voice brought instant relief until Mary’s eyes almost bulged from their sockets.

“Oh, Lord, no!” Mary cried. “Run, my lady. Leave now before it’s too late.”

“Ain’t no one leaving here without my permis

sion.” A man’s hoarse voice pierced the air. “Ain’t no one doing anything unless I say so.”

Lillian swung around but could see no one in the gloom. “Who’s there? Show yourself.” She grabbed Ursula’s arm and drew her closer. “Who are you?”

A low chuckle echoed through the cavernous chamber. “Why don’t you ask your maid? Ask the snake you’ve taken to your bosom.”

Lillian’s head shot to Mary. But when the woman met her gaze, she saw nothing but truth and honesty there. Instinct forced her to turn to Ursula. “You’re the one who stole into my bedchamber. You’re the one acting as a traitor’s eyes and ears.”