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room. Rhonda stood over Jamie’s crib with one hand between the folds of the netting.
    “What are you doing?” Laurel hissed a little above a whisper.
    “Seeing to my nephew since you were not by.” Rhonda had taken no pains to lower her voice.
    “I’ll thank you to leave him alone.”
    “Then don’t thank me,” Rhonda snarled. “The little heir. How droll you no longer matter in his life.” She twisted her mouth into a semblance of a smile and contempt radiated from her eyes.
    “Get out,” Laurel demanded. Pointing to the door, she seethed with helpless fury. “Now!”
    Rhonda strolled to the door and turned to deliver a sly smile. “Careful. Your true nature is showing. Not so sweet now, are you?” She laughed as she exited the room.
    Alarm accelerated Laurel’s pulse. Where was the servant in charge of the nursery at night? Laurel peeked into the adjoining room and gave an exasperated sigh. If a pistol exploded next to her ear, the girl might wake up.
    Laurel stood with her teeth clenched, her fingernails digging grooves in her palms. She retraced her steps to the side of the crib and stroked her son’s back for a second. Then she tucked the netting around his bed once more. With a quick glance at the door, she sank into the rocking chair to guard her child’s slumber.
    Rhonda leaned against the closed nursery door and drew her lips together in a tight line. Hatred for Laurel, the little up-start , scraped Rhonda’s nerves raw. She stomped down the hall and with each step her rage grew. Under her breath, she cursed Robert and Laurel with him. Laurel had rolled those big eyes at him and he’d been trapped.
    “What an utter fool,” Rhonda fumed. After a quick dash home, her brother married, leaving a pregnant wife behind before he rejoined Wellington’s troops in the Peninsula. She resented his wife and his going off to war. Her nostrils flared with renewed hatred for Laurel and her precious son.
    When Robert had finally returned, wounded in body and broken in spirit, Rhonda no longer recognized her handsome, strong brother. Moisture gathered in her eyes, but she refused to allow a single tear to fall.
    Rhonda flung into her room and slammed the door behind her. Before he’d married, Robert had left everything to her in his Will. She still controlled all of the funds and property not entailed, but if his Last Will and Testament were ever found, she’d lose everything to Robert’s sniveling little wife. With the sweep of her arm, she knocked her looking glass and silver-backed brush set to the floor. Her loss of control relieved a little of her pent up anger. Come what may, she vowed to find and destroy that Will.
    A light tap intruded on Rhonda’s thoughts and she opened the door a crack. “It’s you.”
    Rhonda stepped back as Edmond entered and asked, “Did you search everything?”
    He shrugged. “Certainly but I found nothing. Not even her wet clothes.”
    “Her trunk?” Rhonda questioned with raised brows.
    “Her trunk wasn’t there.” Edmond laughed. “That room is hardly large enough to hold such an item.”
    “The Will must be found.” She gritted her teeth. “I followed Laurel here because I imagined she had it with her.” Rhonda began to pace.
    “Don’t get in a taking. Some servant must have shoved her trunk into the attic. I’ll search there later tonight.”
    “If it isn’t in the attic, I’ll return to Landings in a few days and continue the search.” She opened the door and swept the hall with a glance. “The way is clear. Let me know what you find.”
    He nodded and ducked out the door.
    “After I destroy that Will, I’ll see precious Laurel ruined,” she whispered.

Chapter 4
    A careless servant had lit several candles in Adron’s library but failed to draw the drapes. He grimaced, too tired to care. With a frown, he swished the hangings closed against the night and sank into his chair. Rubbing his hand down his face, he leaned his head against the back