Chapter Twenty

 

“That was…” Delilah sank into a chair by the fireplace and the women sat together to try to recover from the day’s events. “I can’t believe it is over.”

“The constable left with him and they’ll see him to the midnight mail coach.” Serena watched the flames. “I saw him and I must say with vast satisfaction, James did not look well.”

Delilah became very still before she whispered, “Did you poison him, Lady Wellcott?”

Serena smiled. “Not exactly.” She shook her head and refocused on Mrs. Osborne. “But I think it is too soon to reveal the details. Why not savor your freedom and the relief of knowing that not another maid in this house need work in fear or dread walking the halls?”

“I am truly the mistress of Southgate Hall thanks to you, Lady Wellcott!” Delilah sat up a little straighter, a new light flooding her eyes. “Dell and I will travel abroad for my “confinement” and when we return, there will be a baby in this house, at long last! A baby to banish nightmares and bring happiness to us all!”

Serena laughed. “I think it is the perfect end to this tale!”

Delilah laughed as well but then sobered. “I am stronger than I look. You said as much, Lady Wellcott. Tell me. Tell me everything.”

So much for diverting her with talk of baby names…

“Very well.” Serena shifted in her chair and resumed the mantle of the Black Rose. “James is a rapist and while I knew I could remove him from the house, it was hard to ignore the greater picture. Any woman in his path would be in danger.”

“Oh, god. You did poison him!”

Serena tipped her head to one side, absorbing that sweet, shy Delilah Osborne sounded less horrified than expected. Even so…

“I gelded him.”

Delilah gasped, her fingers flying to her lips to cover a wicked smile before she blushed at her own daring. “That’s—brilliant!”

“It is a bit grim but here,” Serena said as she reached up to remove the entire hair pin and sheath from her hair. “See the jade carving? And the blade?”

“So cunning!” Delilah pulled the blade out but then stopped as she realized that it was still coated with her husband’s blood. “Oh, god…it is a deadly thing, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Lady Wellcott agreed. “Every day, Pepper obtained fresh ingredients to taint the blade.”

“Fresh ingredients?” Delilah asked, returning the weapon to Serena.

“From Dell’s chamber pot.” Serena closed the weapon with a soft click to safely set it back into the curls atop her head. “Revenge can be a messy business. But I used your maid’s filth along with a few other things to guarantee that that one small puncture will cost him at the very least his sexual powers and if he refuses amputation when the infection sets in, potentially his life.” Serena smoothed out her skirts. “But if he dies, it is by his choice.”

“Like Lord L,” Delilah whispered.

“Like Lord L.” Serena stood. “Welcome to the Black Rose, Mrs. Osborne. I will naturally, stay in touch and will want to hear news of how you, Dell and your beautiful baby are faring.”

Delilah also stood, her expression steady, her eyes clear. “I am forever in your debt, Lady Wellcott.”

“Ah, the small price of membership,” Serena said with a smile. “Tonight, I will leave as well.”

“No! Please do not rush off!”

“If I have learned anything in the last few years, it is to anticipate when my departure is eminent.” She kissed Delilah’s cheeks. “We will see each other again. Don’t fear.”

Serena retreated without looking back and made her way upstairs.

There was no putting it off. She would have to face Phillip.

And she was determined to hold nothing back.

Win or lose.