He’d already opened his mouth for a retort, but his eyebrows drew together at that. “What? Hurting you?”
“Yes, hurting me, Edwin,” she said patiently. “I like Lord Kilbourne, and I find your cruelty toward him—and me—quite unforgivable. He’s here, at this house party.”
“I noticed him just now in the breakfast room,” Edwin said sulkily. “He’s taken the ridiculous name Mr. Smith.”
“He’s here to look for the real murderer. I don’t want you to even think about turning him in again, do you hear?”
“I…” He gulped. “But Lily…”
“Not even accidentally, Edwin.”
He dipped his chin, looking a bit shocked. “Yes, very well.”
“Good.” She turned to go because anything else she said at this point would not be conducive to a good future relationship with her brother, but Edwin caught her arm.
“Lily…” He cleared his throat nervously. “I think I ought to warn you.”
She looked at him and saw his forehead was shining with sweat. A feeling of sick dread settled low in her belly. Had he already told someone about Apollo? “What is it?”
He swallowed. “Richard Perry, Baron Ross is here.”
Chapter Fifteen
For at the heart of the labyrinth was a wild and beautiful garden. Vines climbed over tumbled stones, so worn they might’ve fallen millennia ago. Gnarled trees twisted between the stones, branches thrust upward and covered in emerald leaves. At the center of the clearing lay a still, blue pool with small white and yellow flowers scattered along its mossy bank. But the monster lay there as well, sprawled half in the pool, his blood dyeing the waters red…
—From The Minotaur
Apollo strode into the drawing room where the actors had decided to put on their play. They were gathered there, Moll Bennet at one end with her arms raised as she spoke her lines. She glanced at him as he entered, winked, and jerked her head in the direction of a small door to the side of the room.
He nodded as he changed his course for the door. He and Moll had become friends the night before when he’d talked her into abandoning the room she shared with Lily.
He could hear voices as he drew near. Lily saying, “… Indio…” and Edwin hissing in reply.
Apollo pulled the door open sharply and Edwin Stump nearly fell into his arms. He pushed the man back inside, stepped in, and shut the door behind him.
Lily was in the corner, looking rather pale, but he kept his gaze on Edwin. “Say one word about me or my past and you’ll—”
Edwin held up his hands defensively. “No need, my sister has already made all the threats.”
“Has she?” Apollo stepped closer because he didn’t like how Lily looked. What had her weasel of a brother said to her? “I’m sure she was most thorough, but I still wish to make myself clear. Whatever she might’ve threatened you with, know this: I don’t like you. Hurt her or me and you’ll regret it to the end of your days.”
Edwin’s Adam’s apple bobbled in his throat. “Quite. Yes… erm… that’s very clear, I think.” He darted a glance at Lily and for the first time Apollo saw a trace of regret in the man’s face. “But you must know I’d never do anything to hurt my sister.”
“Do I?”
Edwin glanced down. “Perhaps… there’s something you should know.”
Apollo narrowed his eyes, not trusting the other man a whit.
“Lily told me that you’re looking for the man who might’ve murdered your friends. That is, I suppose, if you didn’t do it yourself.”
“I didn’t,” Apollo bit out.
Edwin blinked rapidly, backing into the wall. “Yes, of course, we all know that, don’t we, Lily?”
She sighed, speaking for the first time. “He didn’t, Edwin.”
His brows knit as if her calm assurance confused him. “All right, all right. It’s just that I saw you come into the breakfast room with the Duke of Montgomery.”