Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Epilogue
Copyright
Prologue
Mearsall, Kent
May 1828
Avenge me.
The raspy whisper stirred Nell Trim from her grief-stricken haze. She straightened in the hard wooden chair beside the narrow bed. Around her, tallow candles guttered. Outside the cottages mullioned windows, the night was dark and quiet.
She rose to smooth her half sisters covers. Shall I fetch Father?
No. Dorothy grabbed Nells hand. The late spring air was warm and Dorothys fever had raged for two days, but the fingers that closed around Nells were icy with encroaching death. Listen to me.
Nell stared helplessly into the girls ashen face. Once Dorothy had been the village belle. Now her skin was gray and dry, and her large blue eyes sank deep into their sockets. She was eighteen years old and looked three times that. Dr. Parsons said to rest.
Dorothys cracked lips turned down. Theres no time.
Nells heart cramped with futile denial. Darling
Her half sisters hold tightened, stifling the comforting lie. We both know its true.
Yes, they did. Dr. Parsons had relinquished all hope after Dorothy had lost her baby. Nell still shuddered to remember the sea of blood gushing from her half sisters slight body.
Since then, Dorothy had lingered through agony. Looking into her drawn face, Nell knew that lovely, vivacious, heedless Dorothy Simpson wouldnt last the night. Ill get you some water.
Irritation shadowed her half sisters face. I dont want water. I want your promise to take up my cause.
Nell frowned. But you dont know who assaulted you.
For months, Dorothy had hidden her pregnancy, until even her unworldly schoolmaster father had noticed. In tearful shame, shed confessed that a stranger had attacked her.
Dorothys bitter smile was out of keeping with the frivolous girl Nell knew. But of course, frivolity had brought disaster, hadnt it?
It wasnt exactly assault.
Horrified, Nell snatched her hand free. What do you mean?
What do you think I mean?
Ever since hearing that Dorothys pregnancy resulted from violence, Nell had been angry. This hint that the story wasnt exactly as presentedhardly surprising, Dorothy was often unreliable with the truthleft her bewildered. You went willingly?
Dorothys expression conveyed a strange mixture of shame and pride. I loved him.
Was it one of the village boys? Nell felt queasy. Had someone they knew taken advantage of Dorothy? It seemed the most obvious answer, yet Dorothy had always scorned Mearsalls lads as yokels.
A grunt that might have been a dismissive laugh. Dont be silly.
Then who?
Dorothys gaze fixed on some distant horizon. Unbelievably Nell heard a trace of her sisters old conceit. A great gentleman. A man who could give me everything I wanted.
Everything except a wedding ring, Nell said sharply, unable to reconcile Dorothys boasting with this pain and disgrace.
Tears filled Dorothys eyes. I knew you and Papa would scold. Thats why I said Id been forced.
Despairingly, Nell stared at this wayward girl she loved so much. Dorothy was seven years younger, more child than sister. When Nell was five, her soldier father had died fighting the French. Widowed Frances Trim had then married the considerably older William Simpson, as much to provide security for her daughter Nell as for companionship. Since Francess death ten years ago, Nell had cared for her half sister like a mother.
Oh, Dorothy, Nell said, a world of regret in the words. She could hardly bear her guilt at failing to keep a closer eye on her sister.
Convulsively Dorothy clutched Nells hand. Dont be cross.
Im cross with the man who did this to you. That was an understatement. Shed like to see the wretch hanged.
Before this unknown blackguard had got his filthy paws on her, Dorothy had been an innocent, although easily flattered. A man wouldnt need much town polish to convince Dorothy, whod never been past Canterbury, of his credentials as a lord.
Good, Dorothy said with venom, her face as white as the pillowcases.
For a terrifyingly long time, Dorothy lay still. Nells heart slammed to a stop, only to resume beating when Dorothy drew a rattling breath. She was alive. Just.
I want you to A coughing fit interrupted. Every word sounded like her last.
Dont talk, Nell said, although she was frantic to know who had wronged this beautiful, vibrant girl.
Dorothys words emerged in a breathless tumble. Find him and expose him to the world as a villain.
But who Nell began.
Promise me. Dorothy struggled up on her elbows, the effort draining what little strength remained. He said hed marry me. He said hed take me to his house and set me up like a queen.
She started to cough again. Nell released her and poured some water, but drinking only made Dorothy choke. Rest now.
Petulantly Dorothy struck away the glass, spilling water on the sheets. When I told him about the baby, he laughed. Laughed and called me a brainless slut.
Nell winced at the language, even as her anger focused on this devil. Im so sorry.
He has a book. Dorothy closed her eyes, gathering herself. This time, Nell didnt interrupt. For the peace of her soul, Dorothy needed to speak. A diary of his seductions. Girl after girl. All set out neatly as stories in a newspaper.
Oh, my dear This spiteful betrayal horrified Nell. Why on earth would he show you that? Thats needlessly cruel.
He was proud of it. Proud of all the women hed ruined. Her voice thickened with tears. If you find that book, you can destroy him.
But how?
Dorothy became agitated. Just dont tell Papa. Please.