Instead of showing relief at these tidings, Lady Bellingham turned pale under her rouge. “How can you possibly do so?
Oh, heavens, don’t say you have stolen them!”
“Nothing of the sort, aunt. Do let us go upstairs! Your guests will wonder what has become of you.”
“You have had Ravenscar murdered, and hidden his body in my cellar!” uttered her ladyship, sinking into a chair. “We shall all be ruined! I knew it!”
“My dear ma’am, it is no such thing!” Deborah said, amused. “He is not dead, I assure you!”
Lady Bellingham’s eyes seemed to be in imminent danger of starting from their sockets. “Deb!” she said, in a strangled voice. “You don’t mean that you really have Ravenscar in my cellar?”
“Yes, dearest, but indeed he is alive!”
“We are ruined!” said her ladyship, with a calm born of despair. “The best we can hope for is that they will put you in Bedlam. Oh, what have I ever done to deserve this?”
“But, ma’am, you do not understand! There is nothing for you to fear! I have merely kidnapped him, and mean to hold him until he gives up these bills. Then we may be comfortable again.”
“You know nothing of Bedlam, if you think anyone can be comfortable there! Very likely they will refuse to believe that you are mad, and we shall both be transported.”