A Scandalous Bargain (The Pretenders #2) - Darcy Burke Page 0,89

she was panting heavily. She’d heard shouting but hadn’t been able to make out what it was. If she made it out of the house, it would be a miracle.

She glanced toward the kitchen before dashing forward into the corridor—and straight into a hard chest.

Out of breath, Beatrix looked up into the dark, narrowed eyes of what was probably a footman, judging from his livery. “I was just about to run an errand,” she said. “We need…salt.”

The footman didn’t believe her obvious lie. His gaze slitted further, and he grabbed her by the arm. “Upstairs with you.”

Beatrix tried to pull away, but it was no use. The man was a bloody tree.

It seemed she was out of miracles.

He steered her back to the stairs she’d just come down, then up to the ground floor, following close behind her and keeping a tight grip on her elbow. Reaching around her, he opened the door and awkwardly pushed her into the staircase hall. They emerged from under the stairs and came face-to-face with her father’s haughty butler.

Behind him stood the valet, one hand wrapped around his middle, his frame slightly stooped. “That’s her, the chit who jabbed me with the broom and stole His Grace’s jewels.”

The butler regarded Beatrix with unveiled contempt. “I know you. You’re that insolent woman who dared visit His Grace recently.”

Damn, it was too much to hope that he wouldn’t recognize her. Instead of answering, she lifted her chin and gave him her own most arrogant stare.

“I’ve already sent for His Grace,” the butler said. “We will await him in the sword room.”

The what?

The footman began to pull her, but she dug her feet into the floor. “Please let go of me. I don’t require your assistance.”

“If you run, he will do whatever is necessary to catch you,” the butler said frostily. “Do you understand?”

“Perfectly.” Beatrix pursed her lips and continued to stare at him defiantly.

The footman released her, and she immediately massaged her elbow.

“Follow me,” the butler directed before leading her into the round entry hall. He turned to the left and gestured for her to precede him into a room decorated with…swords.

“We’ll wait here for His Grace.” The butler took a position at the door, and the footman stood on the other side.

Beatrix went to the window because it was as far away as she could get from them. She could also see the front of Tom’s house. What would he say when he learned she’d been arrested?

The reality of her situation made everything go fuzzy around her for a moment, as if she’d fallen into water. She gasped, taking air into her lungs.

Perhaps the duke wouldn’t want to prosecute her. She’d returned the demi-parure, after all. And she’d promise to leave him alone forever.

Of course he was going to prosecute her. There wasn’t really a doubt in her mind. Would her half brother help?

Her thoughts came to a crashing halt as she saw Tom walk down the steps of his house. He was in the company of three men. One of them, a slender gentleman with black-and-gray hair, seemed very familiar. She was sure she’d seen him, but where?

At the Brown Bear across from the Bow Street Magistrates’ Court where she and Selina had met Harry one day. The man was a Bow Street constable.

And Tom was leaving with them.

Beatrix spun from the window and rushed toward the doorway. Both the butler and footman stepped in her way.

“Just where do you think you’re going?” the butler asked.

“Outside. Next door. I need to speak with someone. I promise I am not running away. Come with me, in fact.”

“Sit down,” the butler barked.

“No.” She tried to remain calm despite the frenzy careening through her. “There are Bow Street constables right next door. I must speak with them. You can tell them anything you want. Please.”

The butler eyed her skeptically, but the footman reached for her arm once more. “I’ll take her. You talk to the constable.”

Beatrix nodded eagerly. “Yes, take me. You can hold on to me the entire time, if you like.”

The butler narrowed his eyes at her. “How do you know they’re constables?”

“Because my brother-in-law is a constable,” she said with considerable exasperation. There was no hiding her identity now or that of her family who wasn’t even really her family. Perhaps she could admit that too, and quietly skulk away without affecting Selina.

If only it were that easy.

The footman led her outside into the bright afternoon. Tom stood on the pavement with the three