Page 21 of The Demons of Wychwood

“I was away soldiering in India when our Ma got sick. Her and Elowen were working at Penhelligan Hall.”

“Really, what a coincidence!” Havelock exclaimed innocently.

“When I came back to England, I found a letter at my old lodging house written on behalf of Elowen. She was living in Stepney. I found her in a hovel full of whores and opium eaters. She was eight months gone. She said that a high borne got her with child and then when the evidence of her belly couldn’t be hidden, he brought her to London and tossed her out of his carriage in Covent Garden.”

Havelock’s eyes grew wide. “What?” The colour drained from his face. “Are you sure she said, Penhelligan Hall?”

“I’d swear it in court,” I said, tossing back the last of my brandy and putting the tumbler on the small table beside my chair.

“My God…This is outrageous! When did this occur?”

“Little Bess is turning two next week.”

The colour drained from Kit’s face and his eyes moved as if he was doing complicated sums in his head. I don’t know if he even heard what I’d just said.

“Penhelligan Hall is my family estate,” he revealed, his voice taking on a detached sound. I had an inkling, but I hadn’t wanted it to be true. Anger rose in me and I stood fuelled with fury,

“Did you—“I ground the words out through my clenched teeth.

“No, no, sit down man!” Kit batted my words away with a wave of his hand. The action was like a knife slicing my strings and I slumped back into my seat.

“I have never lain with a woman, never!”

“Then who? Someone in your household took my sister’s innocence and then threw her away like she was nothin’. She won’t tell me his name. There must be a reckoning. He has to pay for what he put Elowen through!”

“I agree,” Kit said seriously, leaning forward his elbows resting on his knees.

“Do you have uncles or cousins who live at Penhelligan?”

Havelock’s brows furrowed. “I have a large extended family, uncles, nephews, and the like. They do flock to Penhelligan for festivities and stay for the shooting season. I haven’t been to the house in I’d say three years. I cannot believe any of them would use and abandon a servant in such a way. As I said before, I’ve somewhat neglected my responsibilities which is why I’m drawing up plans for renovations.” He was silent and thoughtful for a long moment before he spoke again.

“Would you permit me to call on you at home and speak to your sister?”

I must admit I was knocked for six by the request. I couldn’t even imagine someone as grand as Lord Penhelligan in my home. It was, embarrassing to even think of such a thing.

“I will understand if you say no, but if I can speak to your sister, I might be able to identify who treated her so poorly and ensure that justice is served.”

“Very well. You can come over at seven o'clock tomorrow evening if that suits. I take it you know the address?” Havelock’s mouth betrayed a tiny smirk. Of course, he knew the address; he’d been stalking me for nigh on two weeks! Silence fell between us, and I could sense Havelock’s disquiet at what I’d just told him. I didn’t know what to think of it myself, but if he swore, he’d never lain with a woman I believed him. Someone in his family used and betrayed my sister, left her pregnant, and in the gutter. Whoever the bastard was, with Havelock’s help, he’d pay!

Raucous laughter from downstairs made us both startle. The repetitive thud of footsteps on the staircase followed. It sounded like someone was very merry indeed. Kit and I watched one another, our eyes sparkling with understanding as if we’d both suddenly remembered exactly why we were here in this particular room at this particular time. I stood and as I removed my jacket I said,

“Let’s give ‘em a couple more minutes to get relaxed. You best remove your fancy frock coat, milord, you wouldn’t want to get it covered in cobwebs,” I suggested with a satisfied grin.

He returned my smile and as his eyes lingered on mine, my breath stuttered in my chest. He’d removed his topcoat and waistcoat and was now standing before me in his trousers and white lawn shirt. Christopher Havelock was mesmerizing, and I was a moth to his flame. I didn’t know what the hell would happen tonight, but I had a feeling things were about to get very interesting!

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