There was still a part of her that didn’t want to believe that Thomas would stoop to such levels and harm the family that had given him a position for so many years.
“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” Olivia’s words shocked her as a few letters fell to the floor.
“Why would you say something like that?” Livinia felt flustered as her cheeks filled with heat. She had told Olivia that she had run away in order to gather more information on a servant, but she hadn’t said much about the earl or the connection they had shared.
“Your face changes when you speak of him. I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure, but you referred to him the other day as Benedict and not Lord Sheffield.” Olivia held her gaze in the same way that Theodora had done. The young girls seemed to notice something inside her that she wasn’t aware of.
Livinia shut her eyes and sunk back with the remainder of the letters in her hands. She hadn’t wanted to think of the earl and the night they had been together, but the statement was true. She was in love with Benedict. It had only taken that one night of fervent lovemaking to reassure her that she loved him beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Perhaps she had been in love with him for a very long time; she wasn’t even sure what she would do once she went back. It wasn’t as if they could be together; there wasn’t a plausible way for them to do so unless Benedict gave up the life he had known since birth. Society at large would shun him if they were to live together as husband and wife.
She wanted to be near him, feel his breath on her neck, and have him caress her body as he did that night. She had woken in his arms hours after their union, fear gripping her heart at the thought of everything coming to an end after that.
“I knew I was right. I’m just scared that your heart will be broken. You are an amazing person, Livinia; your heart deserves to be cherished. You’re putting so much effort into helping the Earl of Sheffield, and I hope he sees what he has before it’s too late.” The compassion in her eyes took Livinia by surprise.
Olivia had always been a kind soul, but her empathy had only deepened in the time since Livinia had been away. It wasn’t often that a girl from a wealthy family would take in a former governess and help conceal her.
“There was something I wanted to tell you, but I wasn’t sure how to tell you.” Olivia bit her lips as her eyes searched Livinia’s face.
Reaching over, Livinia took the girl’s hands in her own and squeezed them gently. “You know you can tell me anything. Has Lady Fletcher begun to question you?”
Olivia shook her head and took a deep breath. “Mama does not suspect a thing; even the servants in the kitchen think I am nursing a poor kitten in the attic. They turn a blind eye whenever I go in search of food.” The warm smile lit her eyes in a way that highlighted the beauty of her youth.
“What is it then?” Livinia encouraged her gently.
“Lord Sheffield was here yesterday afternoon,” Olivia said quietly as if speaking to a child.
Livinia felt her pulse still in her wrist as her heart skipped a beat.
He was looking for me.
“He’s been going all over, asking if anyone has seen you. Mama and Papa, of course, said that they hadn’t seen you since you left. I didn’t say anything while he was here, but I could see he was very distressed. I don’t think you should stay away for too long,” she added gently and squeezed Livinia’s hand this time.
Livinia sat quietly for a moment as she thought of the earl’s actions. What did it mean that Benedict was looking all over for her? Was he angry and wanting to dismiss her in person, or did he truly want her back? The steady beating of her heart as she thought of him brought life back to her body.
She was doing all this for him and Theodora; she wanted Benedict to see the true nature of the woman he wanted to marry. She may not have gathered enough evidence to present to him yet, but there must be someone out there who knew something more than the fact that Thomas was disgruntled.
“Miss Campbell, did you not open this one?” Olivia asked with a frown as she reached for an envelope that had fallen from Livinia’s hands.
Livinia took the envelope and turned it over to see that the seal was intact. “I must have missed it on the day you brought me all the responses at once.” Livinia removed the wax seal before opening the envelope and retrieving the letter.
Dear Miss Campbell,
I must start by saying that I wasn’t altogether surprised when I received your letter enquiring about Thomas. I knew this day would come, but I thought it would be His Lordship who went searching for answers.
I thought I would take this information to the grave with me unless Lord Sheffield asked me in person, but the truth must out.
I had been working as a cook on the Sheffield estate for many years when Thomas came along. He was an uppity young man, and his behaviour only seemed to worsen once His Lordship met Lady Eleanor Spencer. The two seemed to know something of one another, but none of us ever had any evidence to solidify our suspicions.
I have long suspected Thomas of murdering the late earl and his wife as revenge. He always seemed jealous of the fact that others got to live a life of wealth while he had been born into one of service. I must add here that while I suspect that Thomas had a great deal to do with the murders, there were quite a few things that didn’t add up. Lady Eleanor Spener surely played a part in what took place.
It doesn’t make sense that Thomas would stay on in service if he had committed the murders.
I know that this news would surely come to light one day. I only hope that Lord Sheffield will see things for what they are.
Truly yours as an ally,
Miss Sherley Patmore.
Livinia hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath until her lungs began to burn. The shaky breath she had been holding in rattled through her lungs on the way out.
“Does the letter say something more than the others?” Olivia asked in a curious voice as if she couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer.
It took her a moment or two to respond, but Livinia eventually lowered the letter. “This is the first person to refer to Lady Eleanor by name. She directly implicates her of being involved with Thomas.”
Olivia’s eyes widened with excitement as she scooted a little closer on the bed. “Surely Lord Sheffield has to see reason and look into the matter now. He can’t just dismiss you now.”
“I hope he does. I suspected Thomas of having something to do with the murders, but I hadn’t thought he could have been the one who committed them. I need to get back as soon as possible and warn Benedict … I mean Lord Sheffield,” she quickly corrected herself when she realized she had used his name instead of his title.
His deep voice came back to her with a shiver of pleasure.
Call me Benedict while we are alone.
She had yielded to his will at that moment and given herself to him, mind, body, and soul.
Olivia gave her a pitying look once again, accompanied by a sad smile. “I hope you know what you are doing.”
As do I.
