Tutoring Miss Molly (20 page)

Pouting her lips into a sad smile, Audrey waved at her and left.

“Joves, please, you have got to believe me, I would never kill anybody,” she pleaded. With her nerves raw, nausea threatened to overcome her. She had to convince him.

He glanced at his son then back to her, a shadow of pure hatred emanated from him. “I knew you were a filthy whore the moment you came to the door.”

The tension in her shoulders hardened. The butler had always despised her. He would never let her go. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let her murderer see them. She swallowed the lump in her throat, and looked at her love on the floor.

“Let Devlin go, he didn’t do anything to you,” she pleaded.

Joves stood over her. “You entranced him.” He pointed to Devlin’s body. “Just like you bewitched my son. Both of the lads were unable to think the moment you entered the manor.” He stared a Devlin. “No, I will not let him be made into a fool. Ann’s sons will both die where she took her life.”

“Please, I beg of you, let him go.”

“Your charms will not work on me, witch!” Joves picked up an unlit lantern and lifted the glass lid. Tilting the lantern, the oil poured over Molly’s head, soaking her hair and clothes. The sharp fumes made her want to retch while her head swam with dizziness.

“Goodbye, dear.”

He threw the oil lamp up at the thatched-roof and the glass broke apart, bursting into flames. Fire consumed the layer of dry vegetation, spreading across the ceiling within moments.

With one last look at his son, he ambled out of the small cottage.

“No, do not leave us,” she screamed, and then heard something jam against the door.

The heat from the fire quickly seared the room. Choking waves of black smoke billowed downward. Molly coughed, her eyes stinging.

Lamp oil dripped down her bare arms. She struggled, and the oil seeped into the rope, making it slippery. Wiggling as if ants crawled over her, the binds slowly slid down her arms, loosening the slack. She shifted on her chair until she could escape.

Ducking her head, she stumbled to the door, but something outside blocked it. She tried to budge the wood, but to no avail. There were no other exits, no windows. They were trapped.

Kneeling down, she shook Devlin’s unconscious body.

“Devlin, wake up. Wake up!”

Her eyes burned while tears blurred her vision. The smoke grew thicker, making it hard to breathe. “Devlin, please, wake up.”

She tried to rub the oil off her skin, but it was no use. It was all through her hair, her clothes. Soon she would catch on fire. The heaviness in her chest broke with a sob. Wrapping her arms around Devlin, she stained his linen shirt with tears.

This would be the last time she held her love.

Chapter Seventeen

Devlin’s hard chest beneath her hands shifted. Her eyelashes flew open. She hesitated; half dreading she’d only imagined the slight movement.

Devlin groaned.

Molly jerked back then threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek.

Gingerly, he sat up, rubbing his head. “Where am I?” he moaned, his eyes squinting against the smoke.

“Devlin, you have got to get up. The cottage is burning. We have to get out of here.”

“What…what is…?”

A part of the roof fell down, showering sparks over Molly’s dress. The oil soaked garment caught on fire and she jumped.

Like a soldier in battle, Devlin became immediately alert, and smothered her burning gown with his bare hands. When she was free from the flames, he quickly scanned the room.

“The door,” he said and pointed.

“It’s bolted,” she croaked, her throat raw. “There is no way out.”

“Then we will make a way out.”

Rising, he kept his head low and scrambled to the table. He saw his brother on the floor. “Kenneth!”

“He’s dead,” Molly called. She yelped when sparks floated near her. Covering her head, she shuffled further into the corner.

“Come here,” Devlin yelled over the roaring fire.

“I can’t, I will catch on fire.”

“You must come to me.” He coughed and held out a hand. “Trust me.”

The flames heated her skin, but she scuttled across the floor to Devlin.

“Stand up,” he ordered. Picking up the table, he held it in front of them like a shield. “Stay with me.”

The determination in his eyes sent her a message of hope. She wanted to take a deep breath, but knew it would send her into a spasm of coughs.

With the table as their protection against the flames, they rammed through a clay wall. The roof collapsed behind them as they stumbled onto the damp grass. Cool fresh air filled Molly’s lungs and she breathed deeply, only to cough again.

“Are you all right?” Devlin pulled her roughly into his arms. His moist eyes gently searched her face.

All she could do was nod and buried her forehead against his neck. The taste of smoke covered her tongue, her dry throat still burning.

Holding each other, they watched the cottage go up in flames. Molly studied Devlin’s somber profile. His square jaw line was tense while his brow furrowed, sadness shadowed his eyes. He licked his cracked lips and swallowed. “My brother and I never got along.”

Assailed with the grief he must be experiencing, Molly knew very well what it was like to lose a family member.

“I wish…” He looked at her. Half of his face glowed orange from the fire, the other half remained shadowed. “…things could have been different.”

She touched his cheek covered in soot. “I am sorry.”

“Who did this? Who killed him and set the fire?”

“In a crazed state of grief over Lord Kenneth, Joves caused the cottage to blaze, but it was Lady Audrey who killed your brother when he tried to save me. She also murdered Yvette,” Molly said, sorrow burning the back of her throat. “The maid must have discovered her wicked plans for me.”

“I cannot believe they would do such a thing.” He ran his fingers through his hair; his bloodshot eyes full of bewilderment. “Why was Joves grieving over my brother? I knew they were close, but to resort to killing us both...”

Molly told him everything she knew, stopping when she informed him Kenneth was only his half-brother.

“So my mother killed herself rather than face a scandal?”

“I’m sure it was more than that.”

He gave a curt nod, then stared off into the distance. For an hour they sat in silence, each lost in thought. Molly neither had the strength nor the want to rise. The comfort of Devlin's arms soothed her raw emotions.

Devlin cleared his throat. “I want you to be exclusively mine.”

Shock vibrated through her.

She pulled out of his arms and studied his profile for any sign of confirmation. He slowly turned toward her. “When I thought you had left, it tore me inside. I could not face my life without you.”

He placed a light kiss on her lips. Molly’s heart beat so loudly she thought he would be able to hear it. This was everything she had wanted.

“I can’t,” she replied.

“Why not?”

How could she tell him everything she had tried to deny within her heart?

He reached out to cradle her cheeks in his palms, but pulled away his blistered hands. “Do you not…love me?”

Molly picked up his wrist and studied the raw wounds the fire had left on his palms. A pang of guilt cut deep for the pain he’d suffered to keep her safe. “Yes, I love you. That is why I must leave.”

“I don’t understand.”

Molly rose unsteadily to her feet. “Come, I am sure His Grace is worried about you.”

He opened his mouth say something and then closed it. His somber eyes spoke what his lips could not as he helped her to her feet.

The wall clock chimed midnight by the time they returned to the manor. Instead of finding the ballroom in full festivities, the manor was silent and dark.

“Where is everyone?” Molly asked.

“I assume the constable sent the guests home until Yvette’s investigation is completed.”

Sadness weighed heavy on her heart for her only friend. “She didn’t deserve to die like that.”

Placing his arm around her shoulders, he rubbed her chilled skin with the back of his hand, the warmth of his body consoling her. “I will make sure Lady Audrey pays for her crimes.”

Molly halted at the base of the stairs. “I am going back to my room. I feel like a chimney sweeper.” She flicked a strand of her sooty, oily hair.

“I will accompany you.”

“No, you do not need to. You should inform your father about Kenneth.”

Devlin stepped closer. “He can wait.”

She planted a hand on his chest. “I am fine. I just need to wash up and rest.”

He looked down the hallway toward the library.

“Go. Tell him we are safe.” She gently shoved his chest and smiled.

Devlin nodded. “I’ll see you shortly.”

Warily, Molly took each step up the long staircase. Her weak limbs ached as much as her heart did. So much hatred and jealousy caused the death of two people. The horrific image shot into her mind of Audrey’s soulless eyes when she killed Kenneth. She hoped she never saw that woman again.

“This won’t do at all,” a female’s voice came from the top of the stairs.

Molly froze on the last step, unwilling to look up.

A tight grip yanked her wrist, pulling Molly up to stare face to face with her rival.

“How am I to seduce the grieving duke into marrying me if you and Devlin spoil my plans by living?” Audrey snarled.

“It is over. Devlin is telling His Grace everything that happened.” Molly yanked her wrist out of Audrey’s grasp. “You should escape while you have the chance.”

Audrey threw her head back and laughed. The sound sent a shiver through Molly. Forcing her legs to move, she ran down the hallway until she was wrenched backward by a hand grabbing her hair. Searing pain shot through her scalp.

She yelped, tears stinging her eyes. “Stop this,” Molly growled and fought her off.

Audrey’s face remained calm, which frightened her all the more.

Pushing against each other’s arms, they shuffled together, Audrey forcing her closer to the stairs.

Molly used all her fading strength to fight her, but they still neared the steep staircase. “Audrey, stop it. You are going to get us both killed.”

 Audrey’s fingernails dug into Molly’s skin, but she tried to resist her with everything she had. Teetering on the edge of the staircase—panic welled in Molly’s throat—she was losing the battle for her life.

“Molly!” Devlin’s voice shouted up from the foyer.