“Who are you?” she asked.

“I want only to talk,” the man said.

She huffed a breath. “Is that why you’ve been following me? Did you murder my father?”

The gasps from the other end of the foyer were loud.

“No,” he said, but Sarani was sure he was lying. He’d been paid to assassinate both of them, and he was here to finish the job. She had to think! This man would kill without blinking.

Suddenly, Ravenna broke free of the footman’s hold and rushed forward, hurtling into the unsuspecting man. “Run, Sara!”

The duchess’s scream was the only warning before the man spun and grabbed Ravenna by the hair, putting her under a deadly looking blade. Sarani’s heart slammed into her throat as Ravenna’s fearful eyes met hers.

“No one move,” the assassin snarled to the duchess. “Tell them to stay back, or I’ll slit her throat.”

The dowager duchess let out a keening cry and lifted a hand, waving back the footmen and stalling the other servants who had been drawn to the noise. “Please…don’t harm her.”

Sarani growled. “She is the daughter of a duke and the sister of one, you fool. Spill one drop of her blood, and the entire might of the British Crown will be on your employer’s head,” she said, walking forward with slow, measured steps. “Trust me, Vikram does not want that kind of attention or retaliation.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. Sarani considered her options. She couldn’t run, not without leaving Ravenna exposed. And who knew where the police were or if the duchess had had the wisdom to summon her son at the same time.

“I’ll go with you,” she said. “Just let her go.”

“Sara, no!” Ravenna cried.

She nodded, hands wide, easing forward. “Yes. I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you because of me. Your mother is right. I brought this to your doorstep. It’s my problem.” Her gaze met the man’s, and she reached out a hand. “Me for her. I’m the one you’re here for. Do we have an agreement?”

Without hesitating, he shoved Ravenna to the side, and she scrambled away. Exhaling unhurriedly, Sarani braced herself and let her energy flow from her center as her weapons master had taught her. She would have seconds, if that, to extricate herself. From the look in his eyes, he intended to finish the business right here. Unlike Ravenna, she did not have a powerful duke on her side, and she doubted that any of these footmen would come to her aid.