“Should you need anything let me know.”
“I wi’, thank ye.”
Deciding not to check on Freddie, Thea, yawnin' and feeling weary beyond belief, ambled toward the stairs to walk down a flight and return to her rooms. She had no sooner descended them and turned to walk down the hallway, when a shadow flitted down the corridor ahead of her. Drawing in a sharp breath, Thea halted, staring.
The figure did not appear to have seen her and ducked away from each lamp that lit the area, moving away from her. Thea slid into the shadows herself, barely breathing, and stalked toward it on her tiptoes to not give the intruder notice it had been observed. Making herself as invisible as possible, hoping her skirts did not rustle and give her away, Thea followed the villain who had invaded her home and tried to kill her brother and Liam.
Chapter 16
Waking to a headache and bleary vision, Liam blinked at the bright sunlight streaming in through the eastward facing window. The rays pierced his eyes, creating a new throb inside his skull. Glancing around, he discovered his mother had fallen asleep in the chair beside the bed. With his hand on her knee, he gently shook her awake.
Mary woke with a tiny snort, blinking as much as Liam had done. “How ye be, lad?” she asked, straightening.
“A headache,” he replied, sitting up so he could rise. The movement caused his head to spin and he sat still until the dizziness passed. When it did, he glanced down at his crumpled livery. “I need to change, I am late enough.”
“Easy, lad.” Mary rested her hand on his shoulder. “Miss Miller did say fer ye tae nae work until ye be fit. I dinnae think ye are.”
Liam patted her hand. “I am fine, Mum, truly. I know I cannot lie abed all day.”
“Ye be a stubborn one,” Mary said with a sigh, rising from the chair to permit him up. “Jist dinnae push yerself tae hard, lad. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
Mary stood by the door, watching as he stood up. “There be something a’tween ye and Miss Miller.”
Liam froze. “Why do you say that?” he asked, his tone careful.
“I hae eyes, lad,” Mary replied. “I dae use them from time tae time. I noo see she be havin’ feelins fer ye as much as ye fer her. Jist want tae warn ye, lad, Laird Willowdale wi’ ne’er gie his blessing.”
Liam looked at the floor between his feet. “I know, Mum.”
“Jist be careful ‘o yer heart, son. Let Miss Miller be.”
Liam smiled at her. “Far too late for that, Mum.”
“There still be plenty ‘o food there,” she went on, gesturing toward the table. “Eat before ye gae.”
Mary left the room as Liam hungrily dined on the cold meat, stale bread and the cheese, as well as an apple tart. Belching behind his fist, he left the room and strode quickly through the corridors to the servants’ wing. On the way he encountered Luke, who looked him up and down with a raised brow, his eyes resting on the bandage around Liam’s head.
Glancing around to make certain they were alone, Liam said, “I found the scoundrel’s lair. But he nearly did me in.”
“Indeed?”
“I think, for now, we should hold off investigating in there. If I have an opportunity to speak to Lord Willowdale about it, I will. But pass the word to Ben and Jack will you?”
“I will,” Luke answered. “Get yourself cleaned up, you should not be seen appearing like that.”
“I know. I am on my way to do just that.”
Nodding farewell, Liam went to his quarters to remove the bandage, wash, and dress himself in clean livery and settled the powdered wig over his sore head. Though he felt slightly shaky, he decided it was not enough to halt him from performing his duties, especially where Thea was concerned. Hoping she was in the dining hall, he trotted down the stairs to the main level and headed in that direction.
He discovered Thea just emerging from breakfast with the Baron of Ampleforth. Instantly, he stiffened and bowed low, but not before catching the expression of tight displeasure on her beautiful countenance. She did not spare Liam a glance, as was proper, but he thought her expression lightened a bit.
The Baron appeared satisfied with himself and carried a tiny smile on his lips as he paced beside Thea. Liam gave them a head start before following behind them, a footman dancing attendance upon his mistress. They did not speak to one another as they climbed the stairs, most likely headed for Lord Willowdale’s apartments. Sure enough, they stopped at the lord’s chamber door and Lord Ampleforth knocked
Admitted by Lord Willowdale’s valet, they vanished inside. Liam took a position outside it, his hands behind his back, hoping he would be called in to speak with Thea and Lord Willowdale about what happened in the tunnels. He doubted Thea would share that information with her brother in front of the Baron, and fretted that she might.
Never trust him, Thea.
