What Happens in Piccadilly - Chasity Bowlin Page 0,72

out as the faintest whisper. It sounded like cannon fire to her ears.

Callie stayed precisely where she was. She dared not move nor even breathe deeply for fear that they might not really be gone. A dozen scenarios played in her head—they were trying to lure her out, they’d change their minds and come back, the one man who’d been so eager to see the task done would return alone. The fear was crippling in a way nothing else ever had been. It left her trembling, with silent tears sliding down her cheeks and a bone-deep cold that she feared would never go away. Even when the bright light of day began to filter into the room, she didn’t move. It wasn’t until Effie knocked on the door and strode inside that she even made a sound.

“Callie, what is it? What’s happened?”

Slowly, Callie turned and looked back at her. “I think Mr. Burney has given us away. Two men came in the night—” She broke off, unable to finish.

Effie’s face paled and she rushed forward. “Did they hurt you?”

“They didn’t find me. I’d fallen asleep in the chair and I suppose they must have made a noise. I awoke before they entered and I hid myself here as best as I could. They said… they said they meant to find me asleep and slit my throat so I wouldn’t have a chance to scream.”

Effie hugged her tightly. “We will employ guards. You will not be alone ever… even if I must stand over you at night myself.”

And what would stop them from hurting Effie? Nothing. If they grew desperate enough, would it matter that they were breaking into a house full of children? No. Men as ruthless as those, men who clearly had no qualms about doing murder, would not hesitate because their victims were young. It was a risk she would not and could not let Effie take.

“I don’t think I can stay here, Effie. I can’t put you in danger. I certainly can’t put this house full of young women in such jeopardy. These are the kind of men who take pleasure in hurting others. They must see me leave this house and they must see that I do not mean to return to it,” Callie stated firmly. “Send for the earl.”

Effie shook her head. “My darling, you cannot reside in a bachelor household.”

“I don’t mean to,” Callie replied. “He mentioned going to the country… and that’s what I will do. He can send me to one of his country estates for a bit until all this is settled.”

“And the children?”

Callie’s lip trembled. “I’ll have to leave them. I don’t want to. I pray they will understand. I can’t be near them and place them at risk.”

Effie stared at her for a moment. “I’ll send a message to the earl, but no decisions have yet been made, Callie. And I don’t believe he’ll send you off to fend for yourself at one of his homes in the country. He’s not that sort of man.”

“What other solution is there?” Callie demanded. “My presence puts everyone in danger.”

Effie hugged her. “He’ll come up with something, I’m sure.”

*

Winn had only just returned home. It was dawn. He was exhausted. After making the circuit at the clubs, they’d haunted gaming hells and other nefarious places where they might find either Averston or Burney. That neither had been seen was cause for alarm. If Highcliff’s assertion that Averston was murdering the young men he had affairs with rather than risk exposure, Burney’s knowledge of the identity of the true heir to Averston’s fortune meant that he would be killed for certain. Who, after all, could pose a greater threat to him? Also, Burney’s willingness to dabble in blackmail made him a liability.

Exhausted, but his mind too chaotic for sleep, Winn retreated to his study once more. He’d only just taken a seat at his desk when his new butler, Foster, entered. “My lord, an urgent message has arrived regarding Miss St. James.”

Winn rose and took the missive from the silver salver it had been delivered upon. He broke the wax seal and read it. Then to be certain, he read it again. “Foster, have the maids start packing. Everything the children have and any items from the school room. And have my valet pack for me, as well. We’ll be leaving the city.”

“When, my lord? You can’t mean today!”

“I certainly do,” Winn answered. “We haven’t time to waste, unfortunately. I shall return in