“Your father’s servants were attempting to gain access to Lady Thalia’s bedchamber.” Kendal watched a scowl form on her brother’s face. “They are being taken to the dungeons.”
Hawksworth turned a malevolent look toward Somerset’s footmen. “I cannot think of a better place for them.” Once the servants had been taken away, he glanced at Hamish. “See if you can get their names. When I eventually become Somerset, I will not have them work for me.”
“I will do my best, my lord.” Hamish turned to Kendal. “Will there be anything else?”
“Keep a guard on this part of the house.”
The corner of the under-butler’s mouth tipped up, as if he knew no one would be here any longer, and the guard was a ruse. “It will be done.”
“Where is Thalia?” Laia asked.
Of course they would all be concerned. “Safe elsewhere. I suggest we all dress and meet back here. I’ll lead you to the chapel.”
“There are things we need to give her before you marry,” Euphrosyne said.
He raked his hand through his hair. “I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t even know where she is.”
CHAPTER 9
THALIA FOUND herself in the same bedchamber she and her sisters had discovered yesterday. Now the only question was what was she going to wear to her wedding?
Mannering joined her. “If you come with me, there is a bathing chamber through that door.”
The room was tiled and had a fully tiled stove that went from the floor to the ceiling as well as a large bathtub. She had read about this from the accounts of travelers, but she had never thought to see one. “Does that pump bring hot water?”
“Yes, my lady.”
In much less time than it would have taken if servants had carried in hot water, she was in the tub soaking.
About the time the water was cooling, her maid returned. “I went to your old chamber and brought the gown Lady Hawksworth planned for you to wear to your wedding.” A pained expression crossed Mannering’s face. “Your sisters, aunt, and Lady Hawksworth insisted on coming with me.”
As Thalia got out of the bath and wrapped herself in a flannel robe, she couldn’t help but laugh. “I want a house with secret passages.”
“I have to say,” her aunt said entering the bathing chamber, “I have been trying to come up with a way to put them I our house.”
“I have as well,” Laia said.
“It is amazingly practical,” Euphrosyne said.
“I think Somerset castle already has them.” Meg’s brows came together. “At least I am sure that’s what your brother said.”
“I’ve never seen them. But how did you know where I was?”
“It was easy.” Meg fluttered her fingers as if anything she wished would appear. “I sent one of my maids to keep watch in your old bedchamber until your maid returned. You might like to know that every servant Somerset has sent to pester you has been locked in the dungeon.”
“That is the best thing that could happen to them.” Thalia had no sympathy for the men who had lost or misplaced their sense of what was right and did her father’s dirty work.
“I just wish I knew what he is thinking,” her aunt said. “He must have a feeling something is going wrong with his plan.”
The other murmured their agreement.
“I believe some sort of sustenance is to be brought to us and tea.” The way Laia said “tea” sounded as if she would perish without it.
An hour later, Thalia was dressed in the yellow gown she had not worn yesterday, and her maid was putting up her hair.
Euphrosyne handed Mannering two silver combs with pearls. “Can you find a place for these?” Euphrosyne’s smiling eyes met Thalia’s in the mirror. “They are new.”
Laia opened up her hand to reveal sapphire hairpins. “And I would like to give you these pins. They are blue.”
Her aunt moved to stand behind Thalia. “This necklace is very old, but I think it will suit.” Aunt clasped pearls and sapphires around Thalia’s neck.
Meg lifted Thalia’s arm and slipped on two silver bracelets. “These are borrowed.”
“My darling girl,” her aunt said. “It is time to go the chapel.”
They made their way down a different branch in the passageway—how many paths ended in that chamber?—and found themselves in the room that led to the chapel’s office.
“My ladies and Your Grace.” Mr. Kennedy’s smile included all of them. “I understand some unwelcome events have occurred this morning, but here we are. His Grace of Kendal and the other gentlemen are waiting.”
Thalia and her sisters and aunt followed the vicar to the nave. Giles came straight to her and took her hands. “Let’s marry.”
“Yes.” Before her father did anything else.
Remembering that her mother would be in the balcony, she said her vows in a firm, strong voice. When Giles promised to worship her body, heat rose in her cheeks, and she heard light laughter from the pews. As soon as the rector pronounced them man and wife and they had signed the register, she took his hand. “Come with me.” Thalia lifted the lever in a stone box and they were through the entrance before she heard her father cursing.
“That was close.” Giles took the lead up the stairs. “I’d forgotten where this went.”
“I am glad it was the closest one to the nave.”
