“Thank you,” Catherine muttered, her heart heavy. She needed a safe place to process all this new information. The answer came quickly and clearly. The Ashdown estate. Charlotte and Sophia had always been kind to her, and their home was far enough from Wessex Manor to give her some breathing room.
As she urged her horse toward the Ashdown estate, Catherine’s heart twinged with painful fear—though a spark of hope threatened to take flight in her. She was closer to the truth, she could feel it. But with each revelation, the danger seemedto grow. And always, in the back of her mind, was the image of Edward waking to find her gone.
Still—as sorry as she was, she was doing this to protect him. She could only hope that he would forgive her in time—and even if he did not, as long as he was safe, it was worth it.
The sun was already setting as Catherine approached the gates of the Ashdown estate, her body aching from the long day of riding and her mind heavy with the weight of her discoveries.
As she dismounted, Catherine saw a familiar figure rushing down the path toward her. Charlotte Ashdown’s face was a pure picture of joy as she approached her. “Miss Winslow! What on earth are you doing here?”
Catherine managed a weak smile, the events of the day catching up with her all at once. “Charlotte,” she said, her voice wavering slightly. “I... I need your help.”
Catherine followed Charlotte into the drawing room, where Sophia was curled up with a book. The younger Ashdown sister leapt to her feet at the sight of Catherine, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Miss Winslow! What a delightful surprise! But... are you quite alright? You look rather pale.”
Catherine managed a weak smile. “I’ve had a long journey, Sophia. But I’m so glad to see you both.”
Charlotte rang for tea while Sophia fussed over Catherine’s windblown hair. Once they were all settled, with steaming cups in hand, Charlotte leaned forward, her eyes serious.
“Mother and Father are not here,” she explained. “It is only us—but I know they would allow you to stay as well. Now then, Miss Winslow. Tell us what’s happened. Why have you left Wessex Manor? Is it Lord Wessex? Has he mistreated you?”
Catherine’s heart clenched at the mention of Edward. “No, no,” she said quickly. “Lord Wessex has been... kind. But I fear there’s something sinister afoot at Wessex Manor.”
She took a deep breath, weighing her words carefully. “I’ve discovered some... troubling information. About the murder of Lord Wessex’s parents.”
“Oh, I heard about that,” Sophia said softly. “But surely you do not know who it could have been?”
“I’m not entirely certain,” Catherine admitted. “But I have reason to suspect... and I need to know the truth. For the earl’s sake. For Emily’s.”
Charlotte’s brow furrowed. “But why you, Miss Winslow? Surely this is a matter for the authorities?”
Catherine shook her head. “It’s... complicated. I can’t involve the authorities, not without proof. And I can’t tell Lord Wessex my suspicions, not yet. It would devastate him if I’m wrong.”
She paused, struggling to find the right words. “I care deeply for the Montagues. For Emily, and... and for Lord Wessex. I couldn’t bear to see them hurt further.”
The sisters exchanged a knowing look. “You love him,” Sophia said softly. It wasn’t a question.
Catherine felt her cheeks flush. “My feelings are... not relevant. What matters is uncovering the truth and keeping the Montagues safe.”
Charlotte reached out and squeezed Catherine’s hand. “Of course. And we’ll help you, won’t we, Sophia?”
Sophia nodded eagerly. “Absolutely. What do you need from us, Miss Winslow?”
Catherine’s shoulders sagged with relief. “For now, just a place to stay while I gather more information. And... discretion. If anyone comes looking for me...”
“We’ll say we haven’t seen you,” Charlotte finished firmly. “You can trust us, Miss Winslow.”
Over the next hour, Catherine shared what she had learned from Mrs. Potts, Mr. Simmons, and Old Tom.
Charlotte shook her head firmly. “It was the butler, wasn’t it?” she insisted as the tale ended, and Sophia nodded eagerly.
“It’s clear he had some sort of grudge against the family,” Catherine admitted. “But I can’t understand why he would remain at Wessex Manor if he was involved in the deaths. It doesn’t make sense.”
Sophia, who had been listening with rapt attention, suddenly sat up straight. “Unless... unless he stayed to finish the job.”
Catherine and Charlotte turned to her, startled. “What do you mean?” Catherine asked.
“Well,” Sophia said slowly, “if Mr. Harper truly hated the Montagues, killing the parents might not have been enough. Perhaps he stayed to... to harm Lord Wessex and Lady Emily as well.”
