“No, ’e ain’t.”
Valeta recognised the voice of the man who had been in the carriage with them.
“’E won’t get up them smaller chimneys, I can tell you that right now!”
Valeta drew in her breath.
As she had suspected, they intended to use Nicholas again as a climbing boy and, although she was glad that he was safe from the horror of it, she could not bear to think of Harry’s suffering when they subjected him to the torture of being forced up a chimney.
Where was the Marquis?
Surely, she thought, by now he must have learned what had occurred and be on his way to London?
Then insidiously the question came as to whether he would be interested. He had not wanted her for his Ward. Why should he put himself out now?
Perhaps he would send a servant or Mr. Chamberlain, but she had a feeling
