Free The Sinner by C.J. Archer Page B

proved it.
    Slade stroked his chin. "I think the blond fellow Wright spoke of was Lord Oxley."
    "What?" she exploded. "Don't be absurd. He's no murderer! He's an earl!"
    She did not see Hislop's hand until it was too late. He hit her across the cheek, almost knocking her off the chair. She cried out and clutched her stinging face. She shrank away from Hislop, but he didn't try to hit her again.
    "I told you not to interrupt," he growled.
    She bit back a thousand savage responses. None of them would do her any good now. The game had suddenly changed. It would seem Slade and his man had an interest in taunting her where before they simply ignored her. What game did they play? And how could she ever feel safe in her own home again?
    "As I was saying," Slade went on as if his sister-in-law had not just been back-handed by his brute. "I have reason to suspect that Lord Oxley is a killer." He held a finger in the air. "For one thing, he's not what he seems. I'd wager he's no fop. No dandy ever had so many mistresses. No dandy could scare off a couple of thugs. No dandy would have the respect of the queen. Her Majesty may flirt with them, but there's more than that between her and Oxley, by all accounts." He held up another finger. "Second, he's taken an uncommon interest in you. Why would he do that unless he's got a reason?"
    She couldn't think what that reason would be either. She was under no illusions that a gentleman of Oxley's pedigree had an interest in her . But Oxley was no murderer. Why would he kill Stephen? What could a wealthy and influential earl possibly have against a little known baron?
    She didn't ask, but it was almost as if Slade could read her mind. "It may have something to do with a woman they shared," he said. "I know little about it, but I believe Oxley doesn't like other men fornicating with his mistresses."
    Cat bristled. She knew Stephen had other women, but did he have to be so blunt about it? The man was crass as well as heartless.
    He held out his hands, palms up, as if laying his evidence in her lap. "What do you think, Cat? Is love reason enough to kill?"
    She lowered the hand that still touched her burning cheek. There was no blood, but she would soon sport a bruise. "I don't think Oxley is a murderer."
    "Are you saying your lord and master is wrong?" Hislop drawled.
    She eyed him warily. "Why are you telling me your theory?" she asked Slade.
    "Ah." He smiled. At least, she thought it was a smile. His lips became crooked and the corners lifted. "This is where it becomes interesting. You see, you are going to become his mistress."
    A bubble of laughter escaped her throat, but quickly vanished as Hislop raised his hand. She flinched, but he did not strike her. "He wouldn't want me," she said.
    "He will." Slade sounded so convinced that she wondered if he knew something she did not. "And when he does, you're going to spy on him for me."
    She kept her initial protest to herself while carefully watching Hislop out of the corner of her eye. "Am I?"
    "You're going to learn his secrets. Find out what his movements were at the time of Stephen's death. Find out when he came here. Look for correspondence." He flipped his hand in the air. "Anything. Then report it back to me."
    She smoothed her hands over her skirt then slowly rose, so as not to startle Hislop into hitting out again. "I'll consider your suggestion. Thank you for keeping me informed of your thoughts, my lord. I appreciate it." She'd never been so formal with him. Never treated him as if he were so far above her. But everything had changed now. Hislop had seen to that.
    "Good girl," Slade said, returning to his ledgers. He pulled his inkwell closer and plucked up the pen.
    She backed away toward the door, not taking her gaze off Hislop. The brute smiled at her. His tongue flicked out over his lower lip. Her insides recoiled, but she did not turn away from him.
    "There is only one problem," she said as her fingers closed around the door handle.