The two men standing near her were dressed in the height of fashion.
As one of them distinctly resembled her in a very masculine manner, Valencia was sure that this was her brother.
He was the ‘Edward’ whose debts had to be paid. Then, as she looked again, the woman, whom she knew must be Lady Hester Stansfield, said,
“It is all planned and, as soon as dinner is over, you carry him in here while the others keep watch so that the servants don’t interfere.”
She paused, pointing her finger and then went on,
“You, Edward, fetch the Chaplain or, if you prefer, Roger will go with you. I hear there is an underground passage from here to the Chaplain’s House, so no one will see you.”
Valencia gave a little gasp.
She was suddenly afraid that they might decide to look for it, in which case th
