head left, poking his head into the open doors along the way. There was no sign of footmen or food. Wondering if he had an overlooked biscuit in his saddlebag, he was just about to go up one of the stairways when he met Amesbury coming down.
“Oh! I’ve just been up to your rooms,” the old butler said a bit breathlessly. “Lady Kelby was most particular in wishing to speak to you. Please follow me.”
“Is everything all right?”
“No, it is not, sir. The Earl of Kelby is dead.”
Chapter 18
Maris was numb. She knew she was supposed to feel something, should have expected how to feel when this day came as she knew it would. She had vowed years ago not to cry, for once. Henry would not have liked it. But she felt as if she was wrapped in cotton wool, almost deaf to Betsy and the other servants who had been filing into her room since she discovered Henry’s body in the library when she went in to wish him a good morning.
He had been there all night, sprawled facedown on the carpet. He had died alone and in distress. The shame of it was dreadful.
The servants knew better than to bother him, no matter how late the candles burned. No doubt they thought he was working through the night as he sometimes did, and were waiting to be summoned. But Maris herself should have insisted he get himself to bed, even if he wouldn’t share hers.
What had she been doing instead of seeing to Henry? Riding Captain Durant, touching herself as he’d touched her, aching for the next day and what would happen between them in the attic. Except it wouldn’t happen . . . ever again.
She had to send him away. Hang the inventory. It didn’t matter any longer. David could make his own foray into the boxes. She’d told the servants to remove all traces of the office work space. Remove the telltale chaise, too. David would catch one glimpse of it and her dangerous game would be over. He was probably on his way now, woken at the Kelby Arms by the servants’ gossip that would fly to the village as fleet as a bird.
She had sent Amesbury to fetch Reyn and dismissed everyone who had been hovering around her. In a short while, Henry’s solicitor Mr. Woodley would be there, and she could arrange for Reyn’s payment to be sent to him in London.
She reached into the pocket of her black gown. The emerald was cold and hard, much as she needed to be.
Amesbury knocked and entered. “Captain Durant, my lady.”
Reyn trailed after him, looking pale. “You have my sincerest condolences, Lady Kelby.”
Reyn is staying a good distance away, thank heaven. “Thank you, Captain. Amesbury, that will be all. Please let me know when Mr. Woodley arrives. Mr. Kelby, too.” Maris shivered. She would have to call David “my lord” and curtsey when he came to crow at his good fortune.
“Certainly, my lady.” Amesbury left, closing the door behind him. Did he suspect anything? If he did, she sought to quash any talk. Captain Durant was to be packed up and on his way within minutes of their interview.
Reyn was across the room in a flash. “Oh, God, Maris. I’m so sorry.”
She allowed him to hold her for a few precious seconds, then stepped out of his embrace. “You have to leave immediately.”
A dark eyebrow was raised and she wanted to smooth it down. “Why? I can help you.”
“I don’t require your help. If you were to stay, how could it be explained? You are not a relative. You . . . you are supposed to be nothing to me. The job is over. David won’t care what’s upstairs. He can’t sell anything, so why bother going through it?”
“What if David won’t inherit?”
Maris flushed. “I’ll know soon enough. I hardly think after only two days that we have . . .” She couldn’t say it. Didn’t dare to hope it.
He pulled her to him, holding her hands so tightly it hurt. “You’ll tell me, won’t you?”
“What good will it do to know?” she cried, pulling away.
“You’ll tell me. Please.”
She really couldn’t bear this. Reyn Durant needed to go, and go immediately. She took the emerald from her pocket. “Mr. Woodley—Henry’s solicitor—will see that you get your pay no matter what happens. But I want you to have this.” Maris shoved the jewel into his hand.
Reyn looked down at it as if she’d given him