Lily’s hands paused, then resumed the march down Belle’s buttons. “He’s to be your husband, Miss Belle.”
“I know that,” Belle snapped. “You overstep yourself, Lily. Draw my bath.”
“Yes, miss.”
Belle followed her to the bathroom and watched as Lily turned on the tap. “You are much too outspoken for a lady’s maid.” A vague sense of curiosity stirred about her maid’s past. Lily seemed to have a good sense of her own worth, something Belle admired.
Lily’s cheeks were flushed when she straightened from her position over the tub and turned to face her. “I want you to be happy. I fear Mr. Vesters is not the man you think he is.”
Belle frowned at the certainty on Lily’s face. “What do you mean? And don’t try to wiggle out of telling me. It’s clear you know something.”
Lily’s hand went to her stomach, and the color washed from her face. “I have to know you trust me. That you will not discount what I’m about to tell you.”
“You sound very serious.”
Lily nodded. “I know you love your uncle.”
“Of course I do. He’s been very good to me.” Belle shucked her dress and kicked it away from her ankles, then stepped into the steaming tub. She sank into the bubbles up to her chin. “What does Uncle Everett have to do with this? He’s delighted with my choice for a husband.”
Lily handed her a long-handled bath brush. “He wouldn’t be so pleased if he knew what Mr. Vesters is planning.”
Belle rolled her eyes. “You’re sounding more and more melodramatic. If this is about your position, you’ll come with me, of course. You don’t need to fear losing your job.” Lily actually shuddered at her words, and Belle frowned. “Get on with it. What do you have against Stuart?”
Lily clasped her hands in front of her. “He plans to murder your uncle.” She bit her lip and held Belle’s gaze. “I know it’s a serious accusation, but you know I wouldn’t make such a charge frivolously.”
Belle sat up. “Lily, that’s ludicrous. Where did you get such a notion?”
Lily pulled up a stool and sat beside the tub. “Mr. Hawkes is not who you think he is.”
“So now everyone is plotting against my uncle?” Belle’s initial alarm faded, and she began to suds her arms. Perhaps her maid wasn’t quite right in the head. She was seeing conspiracies around every corner.
Lily looked down at her hands. “You were right when you noticed there was something between us. I’ve known him all my life. I was engaged to him once.”
Belle squeezed the soap so hard it escaped from her fingers. “That’s impossible. He’s a gentleman.”
“He is the son of the Larson blacksmith. His father was a part owner of my father’s livery. He is with the Secret Service and is here investigating a counterfeiting ring.”
Belle started to object, then saw the certainty on Lily’s face. Hawkes had been very elusive and mysterious. He’d been very reticent about his past. Could Lily be right? “Go on.”
“Mr. Vesters is part of that ring, and Drew finally managed to infiltrate it. While he was at the office the other day, he discovered the plot to kill your uncle.” The words poured out of Lily in a rush. “We must do something to protect your uncle.”
Belle knew truth when she heard it. She rose and reached for the towel. “I’ll tell my uncle at once.”
Lily gripped her wet arm. “You mustn’t! If Vesters gets wind his plan has been exposed, he’ll go underground with it, and we won’t know what’s happening. We need to put him behind bars and break up the plot.” She reached for Belle’s robe and draped it around her.
Plot. And murder. It was so dire and serious. Belle wrapped the robe around her. “What is the motive for this?”
“Vesters wants to be senator. He knows he can’t win, but he’s close friends with the governor and believes he would be appointed to take your uncle’s place. So they plan to kill him the night of the election, once his win is announced.”
“Senator?” For an instant, Belle had a vision of herself in the White House, hobnobbing with President Roosevelt. She pushed the thought away. Though everything in her longed to fulfill that dream, it wouldn’t be worth her uncle’s death. “What can I do?”
“Stay close to Vesters. Ask to tour his house and see if you can find any clues to exactly what he intends.”
“You don’t know the exact plan?”
Lily shook her head. “Just when it’s planned. Your uncle would never believe Vesters would harm him. He dotes on the man.”
“He does indeed. It will take strong proof to convince Uncle Everett. I’m not fully convinced myself. I think I should speak to Mr. Hawkes myself.” Her pulse fluttered at the thought of being involved in something so thrilling and a little dangerous.
Perhaps Hawkes would be so impressed with her daring he would develop tender feelings for her. And if this did all turn out to be true, where did that leave her? Without a fiancé and right back to trying to find a wealthy husband. She was tired of seeing the pity in her friends’ eyes. She was nearly twenty-three. Before too long the rumor would be going around that she was unmarriageable.
Lily glanced at Belle out of the corner of her eye as they stood under a tree in the yard of the old shack out back. Her employer seemed uncommonly composed—and lovely. Drew was bound to be impressed with her willingness to help them.
Belle glanced at the dilapidated building. “This seems an odd place to meet Mr. Hawkes.”
“No one comes back here, and we don’t want to be overheard.”
“I’ve certainly never been here. Why has my uncle allowed it to fall into this state?”
“It’s not been used in years, and it can’t be seen from the street. It’s being repaired for one of the new housemaids to use.” Lily shut her mouth quickly before she could be tempted to tell Belle all about the new housemaid—and her child.
“Someone will live here?” Belle shuddered. “It looks rat infested.”
“It might be, but it’s better than where she’s living now.” Lily wanted to shake her. Did Belle live in some dream world where she never noticed those with fewer advantages?
“Is there no room in the attic? Surely that would be better than this.”
“She has a child as well. Her brother helps her care for the child, and they all need a place to stay.”
Belle dusted a nonexistent speck from her skirt. “Mr. Hawkes is late. If he doesn’t come soon, I’m going back to the house. This place makes me feel quite unsettled.”
“There he is now.” Lily lifted her hand in greeting. No one would ever know how her pulse leaped at the sight of Drew’s lazy smile and broad shoulders.
He took Belle’s hand. “Sorry I’m late. Thank you for coming, Miss Castle. And for not dismissing us out of hand.”
Belle withdrew her hand. “Please tell me what this is all about.”
“I thought Lily explained it to you.”
“I’d like to hear it from you. You must admit the entire concept seems rather far-fetched.”
Drew nodded. “I can understand your skepticism, but it’s all true, I assure you.”
“You really work with the Secret Service?”
“I do.”
Belle lifted a brow. “Can you prove it?”
“I could have my superior contact you.”
Lily touched her arm. “I think you have enough discernment to know the truth when you hear it, Miss Belle.”
Belle jerked her arm away and scowled at her. “Let Mr. Hawkes speak for himself, Lily. This story is like something out of a dime-store novel. Is it any wonder I have trouble believing it? You’re both asking me to trust you when doing so will disrupt my entire life.”
Lily hadn’t stopped to think about how this news would derail Belle’s life. No more engagement parties, no more newspaper articles in the society pages, no exciting days of trying on lovely white dresses and planning an elaborate wedding. And when this hit the news, Belle would be subject to titte
rs and gossip. She would be made to feel she’d been very foolish—something that would grate on Belle.
“You’re being very brave,” Drew said, echoing Lily’s thoughts. “I don’t blame you for questioning us. A man by the name of Ian will be contacting you discreetly. I beg you to be just as circumspect. You could do him great harm by telling anyone about him.”
“Of course. I have some questions for you.”
“I’m here to answer them.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Did you hear something?”
Lily listened but heard only the distant sound of the wringer washer. “The housemaids are doing the laundry.”
Drew’s shoulders relaxed. “We can’t be too careful. Mr. Marshall’s life depends on us.”
Belle paced the rough stone path. “You keep saying that! But I find it very difficult to believe Stuart would harm Uncle Everett.”
“You must admit you don’t know Vesters well,” Drew said.
“But my uncle does. They’ve been friends a long time.”
“About six months,” Drew corrected. “I’ve been watching Vesters awhile now, and he deliberately arranged to be introduced to your uncle at a fund-raising event. He’s had this planned out awhile now.”
“Why couldn’t he just run for senator himself? He’s a well-known businessman.”
Lily had wondered that herself. While she disliked Vesters, he could be charming when he exerted himself. Then it hit her. “He has something in his past to hide, doesn’t he? And he feared the press would discover his secret if he announced his candidacy.”
Drew’s glance was warm and approving. “Exactly.” He inclined his head as though he caught her silent plea to hold his tongue about what that secret might be.
If a reporter talked to Jane and the news got out about Vesters’s relationship with her, he would be ruined. She needed to talk to Drew alone.
“So you want me to spy on my own fiancé.” Belle sighed and turned to gaze at the butterflies sitting on the bushes. “I don’t like it.”
Drew pocketed his hands. “None of us do, but if we can uncover the full extent of the plot, we can arrest all the key players. Your uncle will be safe.”
Belle sighed. “Very well. I’ll see what I can find out, though I hardly expect Stuart to bare his plot to me.”
“You are smart and resourceful,” Lily said. “See if he slips away to talk to anyone. Follow him when you can and try to overhear. Time is of the essence. The election is in three weeks.”
“When will we next meet to discuss this?”
“You can pass along anything you hear to Lily, and she’ll tell me. It’s probably best if we don’t run the risk of being seen together too often. It might tip off Vesters.”
Belle pressed her lips together. “Very well, but it makes me feel like an outsider. I’d rather we worked together on this.”
Lily knew what she was up to—Belle’s attraction to Drew had always been obvious. She waited for Drew to see through it too, but he inclined his head and agreed to meet together in two days. If her engagement came to a disastrous end, Belle would surely seek his attentions again.
Lily curled her fingers into her palms. It was nothing to her if Belle set her cap for him.
TWENTY-THREE
Lily walked away from the shack with Belle, but she glanced behind her and tried to signal to Drew to wait. He nodded and stepped into the shadows of the shack’s interior. Now she had to figure out how to get away from Belle.
When they reached the house, Mrs. Marshall hailed Belle from the garden. Lily waited until the two disappeared behind the box hedge before rushing back into the old building in the back.
She squinted in the dark interior. “You waited.”
“Of course.”
She took a step closer. “I know what Vesters is trying to hide.” Her eyes were beginning to adjust, and she was close enough to see his eyes widen.
“What have you found out?”
“I mentioned Vesters is the father of Jane’s baby.”
He nodded. “That’s hardly enough to stop his election.”
“There’s more. He gave her no choice, forced her basically. And it was with Mrs. Karr’s arrangement. I’m sure Mr. Karr would have known as well. The scandal would affect both of them.”
He winced. “You’re sure of this?”
“Jane told me herself. Talking about this made me wonder if he could be behind the attacks on Jane. With her out of the way, no one would ever know what he did.”
His lips flattened. “It’s possible. The man is scum.”
She nearly shuddered at his grim tone. “I fear for Jane.”
“I am uneasy she’ll be living here. It’s remote and screened by shrubs.”
“She’s already been attacked here once—and while I was here as well. The man was very brazen. I don’t know how we’re going to keep her safe.”
“Her brother will be living with her. I’ll have a word with him and tell him of our concerns.”
“But he works at night. She’ll be here alone.” She squared her shoulders. “I’m going to move in with her.”
He took her by the arms. “You can’t do that, Lily! I won’t have you in such danger.”
She stared into his face and willed him to understand. “There is no one else to help. Can you get me a gun, Drew?” The tenderness in his face nearly made her melt against his chest, but she held strong. “You taught me how to shoot when I was fifteen.”
“That was nine years ago. Have you shot one since then?”
“I’m sure it’s not something easily forgotten.” She relished the feel of his hands on her arms. When she was with him, she was strong. “Will you get me one?”
“I have one in my pocket.” He continued to stare into her face as if memorizing her features. “But I don’t like it. What you’re doing is very dangerous. If Vesters is determined to get rid of Jane, he won’t let you stand in his way.”
“But I’m going to. We are going to best him, Drew. We have to. He’s an evil man.”
His right hand left her arm and traveled up to cup her cheek. “You’re so beautiful. I can’t get enough of you, Lily. I don’t know how I lived without you all these years. You’re like the air I breathe—fragrant and necessary. And yet I wouldn’t want you in the danger that is always around me.”
He bent his head and his lips brushed hers, tentatively at first, as if he thought she might push him away. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of him: bay-rum cologne, soap, and man. A heady blend of intoxicating fragrances. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him back. In those few moments, she forgot the danger surrounding them, his desertion, and her position. His lips were firm yet tender, passionate but controlled.
Yet he hurt you.
She ignored the insistent voice, but it was enough to make her stiffen just enough for him to pull back.
He dropped his hands to his sides. “You make me forget everything, Lily, even my duty to my country. I can’t put you in danger, but I could almost walk away from all of it.”
She took a step back. “Almost.” If they had any kind of future, she would always have to accept the fact his duty would come first. With his kiss still warm on her lips and the imprint of his fingers still lingering on her arms, she wanted to convince herself it was enough.
Another almost.
He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a revolver. “I have extra bullets in my room. I’ll slip you some, though I hope you never have cause to use them. One look at this and any intruder should run.”
She stared at it, then plucked it from his palm. “It doesn’t look very fearsome.”
“It’s a Remington derringer.” He showed her how to cock it. “At the first sound, get it ready to shoot.”
She liked the feel of it in her hand. “Where can we go to practice shooting it? It’s different from the rifle I used.”
“On your day off we could go out of town and let you hit some tin cans on a fence.”
&
nbsp; He was close enough for his scent to still waft over her. What would he think if she leaned closer and sniffed? She stifled a smile.
He looked down at her and grinned. “You look rather cheerful. Is it the thought of shooting someone?”
She laughed then, sure it was going to be all right and quite certain she could handle this little gun and any intruder. “I have to admit I feel empowered.”
He sobered then. “A gun can make you too cocky if you’re not careful. One slap at your wrist and the gun could be on the floor. You’re better off never getting into a position where you have to use it.”
“Then let’s get Vesters behind bars.” She looked back at the shack. “I found a hidden passageway in the attic. Do you think it could run out here?”
“That’s a long way. I doubt anyone would tunnel that far. Have you explored it?”
She shook her head. “Want to go with me?”
He took her arm. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Drew held the kerosene lantern aloft. It pushed back the shadows by about two feet. “You sure you want to do this tonight?”
Lily’s face was pale but she nodded. “Everyone is asleep. I don’t want anyone to know we’re looking around. What if whoever attacked Jane is using this passageway? They could be creeping around the mansion and no one would know. Miss Belle might even be attacked. Or Emily.” She swiped the air inside the entry to the passageway with the broom in her hand. “I’m ready.”
He bent to look into the cavity behind the wall. “This may not go much of anywhere, but there’s only one way to find out.”
Holding the lantern out, he stepped into the tight space. Lily walked close behind him. In another two feet, he was able to walk upright. The space was over six feet high and about three feet wide. The odor of mouse and dust was unappealing. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling, so he handed the lantern to Lily and took the broom. The passageway wandered left, then they reached some steps down.
Lily shone the light out over the narrow stairs. “It’s dark down there.” Her voice was hushed.
“I’m not sure how safe these steps are either.” He tested the first one with his left foot. It held strong. “Let me have the light.”