Chapter 29 - A Butler's Betrayal

Jasper's breath caught in his throat as Lady Beatrix's dressing gown slipped further open. My heart pounded against my ribs as I assessed my impossible situation—trapped in my own quarters with a woman determined to get what she wanted.

"My lady," I said firmly, stepping sideways away from her, "this is highly inappropriate. You are married to the Baron."

Lady Beatrix laughed, the sound like broken glass. "Marriage? That piece of paper means nothing to me, Jasper. Reginald hasn't touched me in months."

"Nevertheless—"

"Nevertheless nothing," she interrupted, moving closer again. "Don't pretend to be righteous. We all do what we must to survive."

Her fingers reached for my face, but I caught her wrist. "I must respectfully decline, Lady Beatrix."

Her eyes narrowed. "Because of loyalty to my husband?"

"Because of respect for myself," I replied, releasing her wrist and moving toward the door. "Now if you'll excuse me—"

I froze mid-step. Standing in the doorway was Kiera, Lady Beatrix's personal maid, her wide eyes taking in the scene with theatrical shock. How long had she been there? I hadn't heard the door open further.

Lady Beatrix's demeanor changed instantly. She clutched her gown closed and backed away from me, her face transforming into a mask of distress.

"Kiera! Thank goodness," she cried, her voice trembling with expertly feigned fear. "Help me!"

My blood ran cold as I realized what was happening.

"The butler," Kiera gasped loudly enough for anyone nearby to hear. "He was forcing himself on the Baroness! I saw it with my own eyes!"

"No," I protested, "that's not what—"

"He cornered me," Lady Beatrix continued, tears now streaming down her cheeks. "I came to ask about the household accounts, and he... he tried to take advantage of me."

"That's a lie," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "Lady Beatrix came to my quarters uninvited."

Kiera stepped into the room, placing herself between me and her mistress in a protective stance. "Everyone knows you've always looked at her with lust in your eyes, Hamilton."

My mouth went dry. This was clearly planned—a trap I'd walked straight into.

Lady Beatrix dried her tears with remarkable speed as she stepped around Kiera. "Close the door," she ordered, and Kiera obeyed instantly. The facade of distress vanished as Lady Beatrix's expression hardened into cruel triumph.

"Now then," she said calmly, retying her dressing gown, "let's try this conversation again, shall we?"

"You can't possibly think anyone would believe—"

"A respected Baroness over a butler?" She laughed. "Of course they would. Who wouldn't believe that a lonely servant tried to take advantage of his beautiful mistress? It's practically a cliché."

My mind raced through the implications. Without references, no respectable household would employ me. With accusations of attempted assault against a noblewoman, I might face imprisonment or worse.

"What do you want?" I finally asked, defeat creeping into my voice.

Lady Beatrix smiled. "I told you already. Information. Where did my husband go tonight?"

I swallowed hard, weighing my options. The Baron hadn't technically ordered me to keep his destination secret; he simply hadn't told me to share it.

"He went to Lord Malachi Ravenscroft's mansion," I admitted reluctantly.

Lady Beatrix's eyes gleamed. "Ah. And what business does my husband have with Lord Ravenscroft?"

"He didn't specify."

"But you have your suspicions," she pressed.

I remained silent, but my expression must have betrayed something.

"It's about Isabella, isn't it?" Lady Beatrix correctly guessed. "Their little arrangement."

My lack of denial confirmed her suspicions.

"How interesting," she mused. "The Baron crawling to Ravenscroft about his masked daughter."

Kiera stood silently by the door, her presence a reminder of how easily Lady Beatrix could destroy my reputation if I didn't cooperate.

"I've told you what you wanted to know," I said stiffly. "Now if you'll excuse me—"

"Oh, Jasper," Lady Beatrix interrupted, her voice sickeningly sweet. "This is just the beginning of our new... arrangement."

Cold dread settled in my stomach. "What arrangement?"

"You serve me now," she stated simply. "More than your precious Baron. More than anyone."

"I've been loyal to this household for twenty years," I protested.

"And now your loyalty belongs explicitly to me." Her smile was poison. "Unless you'd prefer to have the town guards drag you away for attempted assault?"

"This is blackmail."

"This is survival," she corrected. "Think of your mother, Jasper. That small cottage I provide for her in the village. How would she manage without that? And at her age, with her health..."

My blood froze. "How do you know about my mother?"

"I make it my business to know the weaknesses of everyone in this household." Lady Beatrix gestured to Kiera. "Show him."

Kiera produced a folded paper from her pocket and handed it to me. I opened it with trembling fingers to find a crude sketch of my mother's cottage, with a detailed description of her daily routine.

"I have a man watching her," Lady Beatrix continued casually. "He has very specific instructions should I ever feel that your loyalty is... wavering."

Rage and helplessness battled within me. "What do you want me to do?" I asked, my voice barely controlled.

Lady Beatrix reached into her dressing gown and withdrew a small glass vial filled with clear liquid. "For my husband," she explained, placing it in my palm and closing my fingers around it.

I stared at the vial in horror. "Poison?"

"Just a few drops in his food or drink each day," she instructed as if discussing a recipe. "Not enough to kill him quickly. That would raise suspicions. Just enough to make him weaken gradually, until he can no longer function."

"You're asking me to murder the Baron," I whispered, unable to comprehend the coldness of her request.

"I'm asking you to choose between the Baron and your mother," Lady Beatrix corrected. "Between a gambling fool who has driven this estate to ruin, and the woman who raised you alone after your father died in service to this very family."

My mind reeled. How had I not seen the depths of Lady Beatrix's cruelty before now? Her casual contemplation of murder chilled me to the bone.

"Why not do it yourself?" I asked. "You have access to his food and drink."

"Because servants are easy scapegoats," she replied with brutal honesty. "If anyone should become suspicious, it will be your hands found to contain traces of poison, not mine."

Kiera nodded in smug agreement. The two women had clearly planned this thoroughly.

I looked down at the vial, its contents catching the moonlight. "And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll have you arrested for assaulting me," Lady Beatrix stated flatly. "While my man pays a visit to your dear mother. Her heart is weak, isn't it? Such a shame how the elderly can be frightened to death so easily."

My fingers tightened around the vial as rage surged through me. But what choice did I have? Lady Beatrix held all the power.

"I'll need time," I said finally, desperately seeking a way out of this nightmare.

"You have until tomorrow evening," Lady Beatrix replied. "When my husband returns, I expect you to begin your new duties immediately."

She moved toward the door, pausing to touch my cheek in a mockery of affection. "Don't disappoint me, Jasper. The consequences would be... unfortunate for everyone you care about."

"Is there anything else, my lady?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"Yes," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Remember that you're mine now. More loyal to me than to the man you've served for two decades. If you fail me, the town guards will find you hanging before you can speak a word in your defense."

With that chilling promise, she stepped back. "Good night, Jasper. Make me proud."

Lady Beatrix glided from the room with Kiera following, leaving me alone with a vial of poison and an impossible choice. The door closed behind them with a soft click that sounded like a death sentence.

I stared at the deadly liquid in my hand, trapped between betraying my lifelong principles and sacrificing my innocent mother.

For the first time in twenty years of service, I had no idea what to do.