Her Secret Lover (Aphrodite's Club 2)

“My apologies, sir. I assure you I am not wasting your time. Have you met Miss Dupre?”

The prince looked at him oddly before turning to Antoinette and nodding. “I have indeed. Miss Dupre.”

“And this lady”—Gabriel gestured toward the woman still seated—“is Lady Appleby.”

“Lady Appleby is dead,” Albert replied, but his eyes were watchful. He had already been told the story conveyed to his servants by Gabriel.

“As you see, I am very much alive.” Lady Appleby was struggling to rise. “A little battered, perhaps, but still breathing.”

After a moment of shocked stillness, Albert crossed the distance between them and pressed his hand upon her shoulder. “No, please, Lady Appleby, stay seated. I am sorry if I insulted you. It is a fantastical story. Do you wish for refreshments while we talk? I will send for coffee.”

“If you send for anything, sir, let it be Scotch whisky,” Lady Appleby said firmly.

His mouth twitched, and he turned to gesture to one of his servants. There was a pause while the whisky was fetched, and he took the glass and placed it in her hands himself.

“My prison did not run to good whisky,” she said, and sipped. “Ah, my friend single malt,” she sighed with pleasure, “how I have missed you.”

Prince Albert smiled. “Only the best, eh, Lady Appleby?” As quickly as it came his smile vanished. “I feel I should apologize. Lord Appleby visited me often and I believed he was a good man, a hardworking man, and someone this country could be proud of.”

“Lord Appleby has a way of gaining our trust, sir,” Antoinette spoke at last. Gabriel watched her gathering her words, ready to lay before him the humiliation she’d been subjected to. “He gained my uncle’s trust. It is my belief that when my uncle spoke of my sister and me, and our fortune, he planned to take it. And that was why he ingratiated himself into my family.”

She continued to speak, quietly, firmly, telling her story and damning Lord Appleby with every sentence. Once or twice Lady Appleby made a murmur of disgust.

“He had run out of my money, it seems,” Lady Appleby said. “He needed another heiress and he chose you, Miss Dupre.”

“My sister, Cecilia, is staying at his house in Mayfair.” Antoinette glanced to Gabriel and back to the prince. “I’m worried he may harm her.”

“Of course, of course. I will send word to the chief of the Metropolitan Police that he is to find Lord Appleby and arrest him.”

Antoinette swayed with relief. “Thank you, Sir.”

“Sit down, please, Miss Dupre.” The prince sounded concerned.

“Sir, I’m well; it was just knowing it was all over. I—I am very relieved.”

“My brave darling,” Gabriel murmured.

Antoinette flicked him a startled glance and he felt her pull away, putting distance between them. “I am not brave. It is Lady Appleby who is the heroine here.”

“Sir?” One of the servants came running, his face a study in shocked amazement. “Lord Appleby is here and asking to speak with you. Should I…?”

“The man’s arrogance is breathtaking!” Prince Albert cried angrily. “Does he still believe he will convince me of his innocence?”

“Sir, perhaps he doesn’t know we are here,” Gabriel said urgently. “If you were to allow him in, we may force him to admit what he has done.”

Prince Albert hesitated, his thoughtful gaze traveling from Lady Appleby to Antoinette, and then he nodded at the servant. “Very well, I think we would all like to hear what Lord Appleby has to say.”

Antoinette stood stiff and straight beside Lady Appleby’s chair. She didn’t want this. A moment ago Gabriel had called her his “brave darling,” but she didn’t feel brave. She just wanted to go home and forget this had ever happened. Pretend it was a nightmare and wake up in the morning at Dupre House with the sun shining and the birds singing and her books of accounts to tally.

But it was too late.

Already the door was opening and she could hear Lord Appleby’s voice approaching, sounding jovial and confident as he chatted with one of Prince Albert’s secretaries. It wasn’t until he entered the chamber and saw the reception that awaited him that he understood his predicament. A wary expression came over his face.

“Miss Dupre

?” he said with a startled laugh. “I hardly thought to have the pleasure of seeing you again, and now here, of all places.”

“Lord Appleby,” she spoke quietly, with dignity. “Do you remember Mr. Langley? And of course…your wife.”