Chapter 3

Three days after we got back from Whitehaven Chapel, a huge scandal rocked the town.

Thomas was accused of conspiring with brigands to hijack his own salt shipments. And the one who brought the charges was none other than Angela Whitman, head of the Whitman family, a widow.

When the news hit the estate, I was taking my broth. Luna came rushing in, practically out of breath. "Lady Charlotte! Lord Thomas has been taken away."

I put down my bowl. "What happened?"

Luna replied, "The Magistrate's men came. They said Lord Thomas conspired with brigands to rob the Whitman family's salt barges. Lady Angela filed the accusation, and Mr. Andrews sent people to arrest him right then and there!"

I arched an eyebrow, saying nothing.

Luna was pacing anxiously. "Lady Charlotte, what are we going to do? If something really happens to Lord Thomas, the Hill family could be..."

"Why worry about the Hill family?" I glanced at her. "Thomas is part of them, but I'm not."

Luna froze, stunned.

I picked up my spoon and continued eating my broth. "No need to panic. Let's wait and see."

Luna dared not speak again. She stood to the side, her eyes nervously darting toward the door.

I had a pretty good idea what was going on. Thomas getting reported was definitely connected to that man I saw at the estate the other day. And for Angela to personally file the accusation? That was no small thing.

The Whitman family and the Hill family had been rivals for over a decade, always neck and neck. For her to suddenly make a move like this, there had to be something big brewing behind the scenes.

Who was that man, really?

That afternoon, Tracy sent someone to call for me. I changed into a plain outfit and followed the servant to the main courtyard.

As soon as I walked in, I saw Tracy sitting at the head of the room, her face ashen and tense. Charles stood beside her, looking anxious. A few of the family elders were there, too, all looking grim.

"Charlotte, you're here," Tracy said, her tone unusually gentle. "Please, have a seat."

I bowed respectfully and took a seat at the lower end of the table.

Tracy got straight to the point. "You've heard about Thomas, right?"

I nodded.

"You've dealt with Mr. Andrews before. Could you..." She paused. "Go and put in a word?"

I looked at her and gave a slow smile. "Lady Tracy, I am only a woman; what do I understand of such affairs?

"Besides, Lord Thomas stands accused of conspiring with brigands. That is a capital crime. Even if Mr. Andrews was bold, he wouldn't risk bending the rules for something like this, would he?"

Tracy's face grew even darker.

Charles cut in, "Charlotte, that's not how you should put it. Thomas is still family; if he goes down, it'll bring shame on the Hill family, and our business will take a hit.

"You at least have some connection with Mr. Andrews. Maybe you could put in a good word for Thomas. Even if you can't get him out, at least try to find out what's really happening."

I lowered my eyes, saying nothing.

The family elders all started speaking up, some urging me, others practically begging.

Once they'd all finished, I finally looked up at Tracy. "Lady Tracy, I'll go, but I want something in return."

Tracy frowned. "What is it?"

"Those land deeds Samuel left behind, it's time we split them up," I said.

As soon as the words left my mouth, the room went dead silent.

Tracy stared at me, her eyes full of mixed feelings. "What are you getting at?"

"Simple," I said, taking my time. "When Samuel was around, he handled all the business. Now he's gone, I'm a widow with no kids; what's the point of my hanging onto a pile of stuff I can't use?

"Let's split it up now. Whatever belongs to you, you take; whatever's mine, I keep. We each mind our own business, and maybe we won't have drama later."

Charles's eyes lit up. "That's a solid plan. Clean break, no mess!"

Tracy shot him a glare, then looked back at me. "So, how much are you asking for?"

"By tradition, since Samuel left no children, half of his property should go to you for your retirement, and the other half to me so I can get by," I said.

"Bullshit!" Tracy shot up, slamming her hands on the table. "He's my son. Why should you get half of his things? You've only been married to him for two years; we've taken care of you, and now you want a piece of our estate?"

I looked at her, unfazed. "If you're not willing, then forget it. I can't help with Lord Thomas either."

With that, I stood up to leave.

"Stop!" Tracy snapped.

I paused and turned back to face her.

Tracy was breathing heavily, her eyes blazing like she wanted to set me on fire. But in the end, she clenched her teeth and spat out, "Fine, half it is. But you have to go to the magistrate's office first and handle Thomas's case."

I grinned. "Relax, Lady Tracy. I'm on it."

As we left the main courtyard, Luna trailed behind me and whispered, "Lady Charlotte, are you really going?"

"Of course, I am." I climbed into the carriage. "But it's not to save Lord Thomas."

Luna blinked. "Then why?"

I didn't answer.

As the carriage made its way to the magistrate's office, I leaned back, closed my eyes, and started connecting the dots from the past few days.

Thomas got taken down, and it was Angela who pulled the trigger. Why did the Whitman family strike out of nowhere? It had to be about that mysterious man I saw at the manor.

Who was he, really? What did he have to do with Samuel? And if Samuel was actually alive, where would he be now?

None of this made sense yet. But there was one person who had to know the truth.

Angela.

When I got to the magistrate's office, I had someone announce my arrival, and George saw me right away. I told him what Tracy wanted, then asked about Thomas's case.

George was pretty straightforward; he laid out the whole story. The Whitman family had solid evidence, and Thomas's conspiracy with brigands to plunder salt was settled beyond doubt. No one could pull him out of this mess now.

I nodded, showing I got the picture, and headed out.

Instead of heading straight back to the Hill Estate, I had the carriage bearers take me toward the west side of town. Luna asked where we were going, and I replied, "To the Whitman place."

The Whitman estate was even grander than the Hill Estate; the stone Griffins at the gate towered over the ones at other estates.

I presented my card. The gatekeeper went in to announce me, and before long, a plainly dressed woman of middle years came out to greet me.

She looked me up and down, then smiled and curtsied. "Lady Charlotte, what an honour. Forgive me for not greeting you sooner."

I bowed in return. "Lady Angela, you're too kind. Sorry for showing up without notice."

She smiled and ushered me inside.

Once we were in the parlor, we took our seats, host and guest facing each other, and a maid served coffee. Angela studied me, curiosity in her eyes. "Lady Charlotte, are you here about Lord Thomas?"

I picked up my cup, took a sip, then set it down and looked at her. "Lady Angela, let's not beat around the bush. Lord Thomas got himself into this mess. I'm not here to meddle. I came for something else."

Angela raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"A few days ago, I went to the east side to make an offering and passed by a manor. I saw someone there." I locked eyes with her. "He looked exactly like Samuel, only younger. Lady Angela, do you know who he is?"

Angela's smile slowly faded.

The room fell silent for a while before she finally spoke. "You've got a sharp eye, Lady Charlotte. That man does look a lot like Samuel; he is Samuel's younger brother's son, the posthumous child of Leonard Hill."

My heart skipped a beat.

Samuel had a brother? Why did he never mention it?

Angela looked at me and let out a sigh. "It's only natural you wouldn't know about Samuel's family history. Lord Michael had two sons, Samuel Hill, the eldest, and Leonard Hill, the younger.

"Leonard died in an accident twenty years ago, leaving a posthumous son, whom they named Edward.

"Edward was a sickly child and was sent away to recover his health; he scarcely ever returned to town. That is why few people here know of him."

The more I listened, the colder I felt inside.

Samuel had a brother and a nephew, and he never mentioned them to me. That man living at the manor was his nephew. So after Samuel died, why did this nephew suddenly appear? Was that who Thomas went to see?

Angela spoke up again, "So, Lady Charlotte, what exactly are you here to ask?"

I looked her straight in the eye and said, "I want to know how you found out about all this? And about Lord Thomas, was it really about conspiring with brigands, or is there something else behind it?"

Angela smiled, her smile loaded with meaning. "You really are sharp, Lady Charlotte. Thomas really dug his own grave this time, but the salt he stole wasn't actually mine."

I was taken aback. "Not yours?"

Angela looked at me. "It was mine, but I knew long before that he intended to strike. I had my men swap the salt for stones. He stole stones, but I charged him using evidence from the times he stole my salt in the past.

"Lady Charlotte, guess who tipped me off about his plan?"

The answer crossed my mind, but I couldn't believe it.

Angela nodded, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. "It was Samuel."

I stood there, completely stunned.

Angela got up and walked to the window, turning her back to me. "Samuel isn't dead. He came to me and asked for a favor, to bring down Thomas.

"He said Thomas had something he needed. In return, he gave me his salt route as part of the deal."

I stood up, my voice strained. "Where is he?"

Angela turned back, her gaze conflicted. "I don't know. When he came to see me, his face was covered; only his eyes were visible. But I recognized his voice. I've listened to Samuel's voice for twenty years; there's no way I'd mistake it."

I stood there, my head spinning, totally blank.

Samuel was still alive.

He was actually alive.

He went to Angela, asked her to help take Thomas down, so he could get something back from him.

But why hadn't he come to see me? Why did he send Angela to break the news?

Angela came over and gently patted my hand. "Lady Charlotte, there are things I don't know, and things I can't say. But one thing I can tell you, Samuel isn't dead, and he never wanted to hurt you.

"He's handling something important. When it's all over, he'll come back for you."

I looked into her eyes, not knowing if I could believe her.

By the time I left the Whitman estate, dusk had already settled in. I climbed into the carriage and headed home, my thoughts all over the place.

Samuel wasn't dead; he was out there somewhere, caught up in something big.

What kind of scheme would make him fake his own death and leave me alone to face the Hill family's pack of wolves?

Luna leaned in and whispered, "Lady Charlotte, what's wrong? You look awful."

I shook my head, saying nothing.

Back at the Hill Estate, I locked myself in my room and wouldn't see anyone.

That night, when Shadow showed up, I was sitting by the window, gazing at the moon outside. I didn't even turn around as I said, "Is Samuel still alive?"

There was nothing but silence behind me.

I pressed, "You've told me before you didn't know, or you couldn't say. I'm asking you one last time. Is he still alive?"

He was silent for so long, I started to think he'd never answer.

Then, from behind me, I heard a reply so soft I almost missed it. "Yes."

I closed my eyes, and tears threatened to spill over.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"I can't say," Shadow answered.

"What is he planning?" I went on.

Silence.

I turned around and saw Shadow standing in the moonlight. His face was blank, but there was something complicated in his eyes.

I walked up to him, stood before him, and looked up at him. "Shadow, I don't hold it against you for keeping things from me. You belong to him, so of course, you follow his lead.

"But you need to remember that from now on, I am your mistress too. Whatever I set out to do, you cannot stop me. If you wish to keep hiding things from him, then hide them. I will find the truth myself."

Shadow's lips moved, but he said nothing.

I turned back to the window, my back to him. "Go ahead, you can leave now."

There was a faint sound behind me, then the room fell silent again.

I gazed out at the moon, and for the first time, my mind felt crystal clear.

'Samuel, if you've got something big to take care of, go do it. But when it's all over, we'll have our reckoning,' I thought.

Right now, though...

I shot a glance up at the rafters, a slow smirk tugging at my lips.

Those two hidden bodyguards Samuel left behind? They were mine now. I would take whatever he left me.

Especially when they were this useful.