Mistress of Scandal (Greentree Sisters 3)

Francesca came closer, so that she could see her face.

She was asleep, and from the gin fumes wafting from her, she was also drunk. Her mouth was ajar, her face slack, and her gray hair untidy. Then, with a snort, she woke up. She opened her eyes, and her face went blank with surprise.

“Aphrodite?” she whispered. “Is that you? Or are you a ghost?”

Her heart was pounding, her mouth was dry, but Francesca found the courage to speak. “I am Francesca, Aphrodite’s daughter.”

The woman’s breathing was so loud, Francesca wondered if she had even heard her. “He’ll finish you, you know that,” she rambled. “He won’t never rest until he’s rid himself of you.”

“Who? Who will never rest?”

But she gave a shudder, her entire body jolting and shaking, and then she went slack. Her eyes flickered, the whites showing. A line of spittle ran from the corner of her mouth.

r /> Frozen, Francesca stood staring down at her.

“Francesca?” It was Sebastian, grim-faced from his encounter with Jed. He glanced at her, as if satisfying himself she was all right, and then turned to the slumped figure in the chair. She watched as he bent over her, examining her for signs of life.

“She’s had some sort of fit,” he said. “Jed said she was unwell.”

“I keep telling myself that she’s Mrs. Slater, the monster who’s ruled my life since I was a baby, but she doesn’t seem like a monster.”

“Don’t you believe it. This woman has caused endless suffering and misery. The world is better off without her.”

“I want her punished. She will be punished, won’t she?”

“If she lives long enough, then she will go up before a judge.”

“Good.” Francesca sighed, suddenly weary beyond speaking.

“You’re free of her now, Francesca,” he said gently. “She can’t frighten you anymore.”

“Then why do I still feel as if I’m in danger?” she wailed.

“Because you are. Whoever it was who gave Mrs. Slater her orders, who gave Maeve her orders, is still out there. Aphrodite knows who he is, but she won’t speak. She wants me to find proof.”

“Why won’t she speak?”

“He must be a powerful man. Without proof she will never get anyone to believe her. He will destroy her, and maybe he will destroy you and your sisters, too.”

She shivered, and when he put his arms around her, she didn’t resist.

I’ll stay here for a moment, she told herself, just a moment. It can’t hurt to allow myself a moment. I don’t trust him anymore, how can I? Soon I will break with him forever, but just now I want…I need to be held by him.

Chapter 24

It was the following day, and Aphrodite was dreaming again. She was shifting through her memories like someone shuffling a pack of cards. She had reached the point where Francesca’s father had died and she was alone. There was the other one, of course, and at first she’d thought he might be enough. But it wasn’t long before she realized he wasn’t the man she thought him.

He wants to possess me. I see it now. He doesn’t love me, not like T. did. He has no love in him, no joy. When T. laughed, I knew he was filled with the wonder of life. When this one laughs it is a mean sound, a small sound, and there is no wonder.

London keeps me busy. The club takes much of my time, and I love it. I think perhaps it is the club that is my lover now.

Something dreadful has happened.

I cannot write, and yet I cannot not write.

My children are gone…my babies! Someone came in the night and took them away from me. I think I will go mad if I do not find them. I must find them. Why has this happened? I don’t understand why they have been taken. Who in this world could be so cruel?

I will find them. If it takes all of my life, I will find them.