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hint of suspicion in his tone. Born and raised in England, Henry sounded more British than the rest of the family, who spoke with the Afrikaner accent. Henry’s father, Squire George Chantry, owned the grand estate of Rookswood in the village of Grimston Way. Henry’s older brother, Lyle, had married one of Lady Brewster’s two daughters, Honoria—sister to Caroline, Henry’s poor wife.
    Katie clamped her jaw to keep her teeth from chattering and lifted her chin, hoping she looked brave when she felt otherwise.
    â€œI have a bargain to present to you.”
    His dark brows arched at that. “What kind of bargain?”
    She looked at him squarely; she needed to at least appear confident. “I overheard your discussion with your stepbrother. You need financial backing for your expedition. A gold discovery, isn’t it?”
    â€œYou were eavesdropping?”
    â€œOh, Henry, there is no time for that. Do you want to hear my plan or not?”
    â€œFirst things first. Why is it you are not turning to your beloved Anthony for help? When I left here two years ago you insisted you were madly in love with the innocuous fellow.”
    â€œAnd you, Cousin Henry, were about to be married.”
    â€œAfter you turned me down.”
    â€œThat doesn’t matter now. Are you interested in listening or not?”
    â€œAbout my nephew Anthony—”
    She tried to hide her consternation. “Never mind him. I don’t know where he is, nor do I care! He lied to me. I loathe him.” She clenched her hands to still the trembling that threatened to overcome her.
    Henry’s eyes narrowed as he studied her. Clearly, he was alert and not easily deterred. She should have known he would demand complicated explanations as to why her relationship with his wife’s nephew had turned sour.
    She stiffened when she felt his fingers on her face. He cupped her chin and turned her toward the moonlight, his gaze searching hers until he must have guessed what she was hiding, for the corner of his mouth tipped.
    â€œSo that’s how it is, is it?”
    She jerked her chin away and stepped back. “Please, don’t. Sir Julien has humiliated me enough.”
    â€œSo, you discovered too late that the cherished Anthony is a louse. I doubt he has given you a second thought since going to London. You should have listened to me. What has he done, abandoned you while he makes arrangements to marry Lord Montieth’s charming heiress?”
    â€œOh, keep quiet!” She felt his words like a blow, and tears rushed to her eyes. She wished to throw his words back into his face, but common sense restrained her. She could not afford to anger him, not when she needed him so desperately.
    â€œYour emotions tell me this is no ordinary jilt. What is it?”
    She avoided his eyes and bit her lip, then turned her back. The words lodged in her throat like thorns. How humiliating to have to confess to a man like Henry Chantry that she had been a fool.
    â€œI have a baby.” How painful so few words could be!
    He remained silent, and she thought he must be stunned.
    She whirled to face him. “I
must
escape. I want to leave Capetown forever, to go to America with my baby—to get away from Sir Julien’s power over me. He took my baby away.” Her voice cracked as pain chipped at her heart. “I’ve found out she’s at the mission station near Isandlwana—Jendaya told me.”
    â€œThe Zulu woman?”
    â€œYes. I must go to Isandlwana, find my daughter, and board a ship at Port Elizabeth bound for England. From there, if my plan works, I’ll sail for New York.”
    He looked at her. She began to fear he would utterly refuse her, but then he spoke at last, as brutally honest as she.
    â€œAnd you want me to rescue Anthony’s illegitimate child?”
    â€œShe is
my
daughter. I—I’ve no one else to turn to for help.”
    â€œYou were a