but I would appreciate it if you would let me pass.”
Her voice remained hard, annoyed, perhaps tinged with a hint of concern, and her gaze held his without wavering. She did not beg nor ask. She stood tall, demanding he comply. Never had he seen a grey mouse act with such courage.
Pierce was tempted to test the limits of her resolve, of her self-control. “What if I don’t?”
Rather unexpectedly, he found the corners of her lips curl upward into a devilishly wicked smile. “Don’t cross me, my lord,” she whispered as she moved closer ever so slightly, her blue eyes holding his captive even through those hideous spectacles. “Believe me, you wouldn’t win.”
Stunned, Pierce stared at her, too shocked, too taken aback, too overwhelmed to catch a clear thought, let alone move.
Wicked as she was, Miss Hawkins used that very moment to slip past him. Like the little, grey mouse she portrayed to the world.
Unseen.
Unnoticed.
There one moment and then gone the next, with none the wiser.
Staring after her, Pierce marveled at the contradicting facets of her character he’d observed thus far. If he’d been intrigued before, he was now completely taken in by the need to solve the mystery she presented.
If she was a mouse, then he would be the cat, and he would give chase until he had her.
Chapter Five
What Must Be Done
“Have you seen Rebecca?” her mother asked, her blue eyes slightly narrowed as she settled onto the settee. “I must say, she’s been very quiet these last few days and rarely left her chamber.” Her gaze narrowed in concentration, no doubt trying to remember when she’d last seen her niece.
Caroline looked up from her book, careful to maintain that moderately interested expression she always used when dealing with her parents. “I’m afraid she’s been a bit under the weather,” she replied, willing a hint of unease into her voice before she dropped her gaze for the barest of seconds—another practiced routine. “I believe…it’s that time of the month.”
In truth, Rebecca had left the house almost a week ago. She’d been utterly disappointed that Lord Pembroke’s interest in her seemed to have subsided and as annoyed as she’d been with Lord Coleridge’s attentions, she’d needed some time away.
Of course, Caroline had aided her beloved cousin in her escape, distracting her parents so that Rebecca had been able to sneak out of the house and hire a coach. Presently, her cousin was in the country, visiting an old friend who’d recently been married—something her parents would never have agreed to.
As expected, Caroline noted her mother’s cheeks redden slightly with discomfort. “Of course.” Her gaze dropped, and she busied herself smoothing out her skirts. “I’m afraid your father’s business keeps us in Town for a good deal longer, my dear.”
“Oh, I don’t mind, Mother,” Caroline assured her, which could not be more true for she was still working on securing the funds to have repairs made to the children’s home. Lady Woodward had promised a sizable donation. However, convincing the dear lady to allow Caroline to handle the money was a bit of an unusual and, therefore, time-consuming request. However, Caroline could not risk the money to fall into Mr. Wolsey’s hands for she could not be certain he would use it as intended.
Unfortunately, Lord and Lady Woodward were departing for their country estate soon and, therefore, time was of the essence.
A few days later, Caroline and Sarah made their way over to the children’s home in a hired carriage. She was afraid news of her whereabouts would reach her father’s ear if she were to use his own. They’d first stopped to purchase a few essentials with Caroline’s own money, knowing that the only way to ensure the children benefited from her hard work was to present them with the very things they needed herself. If there was no money, Mr. Wolsey could not spend it on spirits!
While Sarah assisted Mary and a few other nurses with a search for lice before they would scrub the little rascals from head to toe and wash all their clothes and bedding, Caroline searched out Mr. Wolsey in his office.
Unfortunately, the man was barely conscious, lying slumped over on his desk, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth.
Outraged, Caroline stood in the door, for a moment too overcome with anger to decide on how to proceed. However, the second her thoughts focused, she took hold of the door and then slammed it closed with as much strength as she possessed. The