18

ROUND ONE WITH ENEMY FORCES

ABE BENNINGTON SAT BEHIND HIS giant mahogany desk smoking a cigar and drinking a glass of rare Scotch when Katelyn entered the room with Lance. The paunchy, balding man didn’t bother to stand but grunted while pointing to a chair in front of the desk. Lance took the cue and led Katelyn to the wing chair and remained standing.

“So you’re the niece,” he said, eyeing her seductively. “The baroness didn’t tell me she had such beauty running in her family.”

“We’re related only by marriage,” Katelyn replied curtly. “Her deceased husband, Sir Milburn Richardson, was my late father’s brother.” Katelyn’s eyes turned cold, and she instinctively suspected that this man was part of the plot to steal Lilly.

“Well, then she married well. She’s quite the merry widow woman, knows what she wants and knows how to get it.” He chuckled, but Katelyn didn’t smile.

“Mr. Bennington. I’m not here on a social visit. I’ll get directly to the point. I need to find Lilly. There are rumors circulating all over Savannah that my Aunt Genevieve has outstanding gambling debts she’s unable to make good on. Do you know this to be a fact?”

Abe leaned back in his chair and took a long sip of his Scotch while studying Katelyn above the rim of his crystal goblet. He set the glass down and stood up. “I can’t help you, Miss Richardson. Whatever information you’re seeking should come from your aunt. I’m an honest man with a reputation to protect. I don’t meddle in other people’s family matters.”

“Then tell me how to reach the Dutchman,” Katelyn said firmly, holding her ground. She stared at the man’s shifty eyes and Abe glanced down for a split second, long enough to reveal his guilt. He remained mute but transferred his weight in an uncomfortable stance. He folded his arms across his chest as his jaw formed an insolent stance. He was not budging.

Katelyn was convinced that Abe was involved in Lilly’s disappearance. “Thank you for your time,” she said through gritted teeth. Feeling repulsed and nauseous she needed to escape this atmosphere without further delay. Without another word, she turned to Lance, who escorted her back to the Dempseys’ home in uncomfortable silence.

When Lance helped her out of the fancy carriage, he bowed and tipped his hat with a smirk on his face. She glared at him and turned her heel to storm into the house. She had been blinded by Lance Bennington’s good looks and wealth. She felt ashamed for being so taken by his flattery and deceiving charm.

As the carriage pulled away, Katelyn suddenly remembered that Lance had introduced her to the Dutchman as they entered the party. He was so repulsive that she had shut him out of her mind. Lance did not offer any helpful information during the ride home. Obviously, he was playing it safe because he had no backbone or sense of duty. Andrew Dempsey had more character in his little finger than all three Benningtons had put together.

Although Katelyn defiantly turned away from Major Lance Bennington without a word, it wouldn’t be the last time that despicable, slave-owning household would hear from her.