It’s held open with a branch. Go through that door, and see to it it’s sealed from the outside. Once you’ve done that, go and find Gid—that is, Lord Darlington, and bring him back to the castle at once. Tell him it’s urgent.”
Duncan gaped at her with his mouth open. “But—”
“Quickly, Duncan.”
Whatever Duncan saw on her face made him snap his mouth closed. He turned without a word and disappeared into the passageway at a run. Cecilia bolted the door behind him, cutting off access to the stillroom, then ran for the stairs.
Isabella and Amy were likely in Isabella’s bedchamber, readying for her nap, and Mrs. Briggs…she hadn’t the vaguest idea where Mrs. Briggs was. She could be anywhere in this enormous castle. If she was alone, and Lady Leanora caught her unawares…
Cecilia sucked in a ragged breath, panic threatening, but she shoved it down, and forced herself to focus on one thing at a time. First, she’d find Isabella and Amy. Once she did, Amy could help her push the clothes press in Cassandra’s dressing room flush against the wall to block that escape into the secret passageway. Then they’d find Mrs. Briggs and leave the castle together. With any luck, Duncan would return with Gideon soon afterward, and all would be well.
She rushed up the stairs to the second-floor landing, but stopped there, a strange feeling sweeping over her. Later, she wouldn’t be able to say if she’d simply sensed something was amiss, or if she’d heard something, nor would she recall making her way down the corridor to Cassandra’s bedchamber.
But she would remember the sickening drop of her stomach when she opened the door.
The White Lady was hovering in the archway that led to Cassandra’s dressing room, the candle in her hand casting a pool of light around her, lending an unearthly glow to her painted face. She wore the white gown the villagers had described, her dark hair hidden beneath a silvery-white wig.
But it wasn’t her gown or her wig or even her ghostly white face that caught Cecilia’s attention. It was her blue eyes, as cold as ice, and glittering with madness.
A blinding diamond, so bright it hurt to look at her—
“Good evening, Cecilia. It’s kind of you to come, rather than making me search for you.” Lady Leanora’s scarlet lips split into an arrogant smile. “Then again, you are a servant, after all.”
Cecilia couldn’t have said why, but instinct urged her to drop into a respectful curtsy. “Good evening, Lady Leanora.”
Lady Leanora’s blue eyes flashed. “I’m the sixth Marchioness of Darlington, and mother to the future heir, while you…you’re nothing but Gideon’s whore.”
Cecilia’s head snapped back at the ugly words. Lady Leanora knew Gideon had taken Cecilia to his bed? Oh God, had she seen them together? Had she watched?
“Did you think I didn’t know?” Lady Leanora’s red lips curled in a sneer. “I confess I was fooled at first. I didn’t realize Gideon wasn’t in love with that foolish Honeywell creature until after I chased her off. It’s been you all along, hasn’t it?”
Cecilia opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out.
“The trouble with you, Cecilia, is you won’t leave,” Leanora went on, edging closer to Cassandra’s bed as she spoke. “I thought a night spent freezing in the kitchen garden would do it, but you’re cleverer than that Honeywell chit, and you found a way out. You understand, then, that I have to find another way to get rid of you.”
With that, Leanora lowered her arm, and casually, as if she were buckling her shoes, she touched the candle flame to Cassandra’s coverlet.
“No!” Cecilia screamed, but before she could move, before she even had a chance to draw a breath, the heavy silk coverlet caught fire.
“Oh, yes, I’m afraid so.” Leanora turned to the windows, and brought the candle within inches of the drapes.
“Wait!” Cecilia thrust her hands out in front of her. “I’ll leave Darlington Castle, just as you want.”
“No, I don’t think so. I don’t believe you will, and in any case, it’s too late for—” Lady Leanora broke off, her gaze darting to the door.
Cecilia dimly registered the sound of feet pounding in the hallway. The lock on Cassandra’s door rattled, and in the next moment someone threw the door open. “Cecilia! What in the world—”
“Don’t come any closer, Amy.” Cecilia never took her eyes off Lady Leanora, but she held out her hand behind her, a warning to Amy to stay back. “Fetch Isabella and Mrs.