Chapter 4 - The Game of Pretense
The morning sun broke over the harbor, casting long amber rays across the manicured lawns of Ravenscliffe.
In the servants' mess hall, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Rumors of the midnight harbor shipment had spread among the senior staff.
Mrs. Croll served black coffee to Nell, eyeing the girl’s pale face and dark circles carefully.
“You look like you saw a ghost last night, child,” Mrs. Croll said, setting down the porcelain cup.
“Just tired, ma'am,” Nell replied, staring into her black coffee. “I spent the night working on the third floor.”
Agnes Doyle walked in, carrying a basket of fresh linen. She paused by the table, dropping a small brown envelope in front of Nell before walking away without a word.
Nell opened the envelope beneath the table edge. Inside was a crisp photograph of Toby playing at a park in suburban Boston, accompanied by a typed note: He looks happy. Keep playing your part.
A cold sweat broke out across Nell’s neck. Teddy Vain was watching her brother.
She slipped the note into her pocket and stood up, smoothing down her gray apron.
At 10:00 AM, she was summoned to clean the primary library. When she entered, she found Teddy Vain lounging on the leather sofa, reading a newspaper with his feet propped up on the mahogany coffee table.
“Ah, the clumsy little maid,” Teddy sneered, setting his paper down. “Wrist feeling better?”
Nell kept her head lowered, holding her feather duster tightly. “Yes, Mr. Vain. Thank you.”
Teddy stood up, walking toward her with slow, predatory steps. He stopped right in front of her, leaning in close enough that she could smell the stale alcohol on his breath.
“You know,” Teddy whispered, reaching out to pinch a strand of her dark hair, “a pretty girl like you shouldn't be scrubbing floors for pennies. Your father owed a lot of people money before he ran off. A smart girl would help clear those debts.”
Nell didn't flinch. She looked him straight in the eyes, adopting the exact timid, uneducated persona she had rehearsed for weeks. “My father was a bad man who left me and my brother with nothing, sir. I don't know anything about his money. I just want to earn my wages and keep my job.”
Teddy searched her face for any sign of deception. Her wide, fearful eyes and trembling hands seemed completely genuine.
“Pity,” Teddy chuckled, patting her cheek roughly. “Because if I find out you’re lying to me, Miss Whitaker, not even Rafe Santoro will be able to protect you.”
“Is there a problem here, Teddy?”
Rafe stood in the arched doorway of the library, wearing a dark navy suit and a charcoal tie. His expression was cold, impenetrable stone.
Teddy turned, chuckling dryly. “Just reminding the staff to keep the brass polished, Rafe. No harm done.”
“Then get out,” Rafe said simply. “We have a meeting with the port commissioners in ten minutes.”
Teddy smirked, brushing past Rafe into the hallway.
Once Teddy was gone, Rafe stepped into the room, locking the heavy oak door behind him. He walked straight to Nell, taking her shaking hands in his.
“He threatened Toby,” Nell whispered, her composure finally breaking. “Rafe, he has photos of Toby at the park.”
“Ezra picked Toby and your aunt up an hour ago,” Rafe assured her, his grip tightening reassuringly around her fingers. “They are at my private estate in the Berkshires right now, guarded by six of my most trusted men. Teddy Vain can’t touch them.”
Nell let out a long breath of relief, resting her forehead against Rafe’s chest for a brief second. “What do we do now?”
“We set the trap,” Rafe said, leaning down so his lips were near her ear. “Tonight, Bruno and Teddy are going to attempt to transfer thirty million dollars out of the syndicate’s offshore accounts using your father's old security codes. They need the micro-ledger inside your locket to complete the transfer.”
May you like
Nell reached for her necklace. “Take it.”
“No,” Rafe said, meeting her eyes. “You’re going to give it to Teddy yourself.”
