The Deceptive Lady Darby (Lost Ladies of London 2)

Dr Taylor nodded. “Mrs Hibbet will relay any information regarding the child’s recuperation, but I advise bed rest. We don’t want him to catch a chill.” He paused. “I trust you didn’t find the tonic too distasteful.”

“Not at all.” The last thing she wanted was a lecture from the doctor. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must see to Alice.”

Rose hurried back to her room and spent a few minutes skimming through the other letters hidden inside the book. The sender failed to comment on Lady Farleigh’s character and spoke only of her ability to perform lewd tasks with the skill of a seasoned courtesan. The last words were always the same — to meet in a secret location at the agreed time.

Why any woman would want to take a lover when married to a man as handsome as Lord Farleigh was a mystery. Rose had spent the last two nights imagining his strong arms holding her close.

She scanned the ledger by way of a distraction but had to squint to read the words. The names listed in the left-hand column were barely legible. Miss Emma Perrin and Mrs Mary Drew were two she identified. To the right were various amounts of money ranging from thirty pounds up to two hundred.

Were they fees or repayments of debts?

Perhaps Lady Farleigh enjoyed gambling, and it was a list of her creditors. Or were they simply the names of servants she’d hired over the years. Evidently not, as the wages listed were extortionate even by a king’s standards. The only other notable thing was the paper compartment attached to the back cover. Rose peered inside and found it empty.

But she had no time to consider the matter further. Alice was waiting. And so she returned the book to its hiding place beneath the floorboard. In truth, the mystery surrounding those named in the ledger was of no consequence. The most pressing problem was how she would tell Lord Farleigh about his wife’s sordid affair.

After a quiet dinner alone, Christian returned to the study where he’d spent most of the afternoon. He poured a glass of brandy and gulped it down. The liquid fire burned his throat, but by God, it felt good. A couple more drinks and he might clear the fog filling his head. How was it he knew nothing about the letters? How was it Cassandra still caused mischief from beyond the grave?

Well, he was done with it.

No more governesses. No more secrets. No more lies.

It was time to bury the past for good.

He removed the crystal stopper from the decanter but hesitated. Brandy wasn’t the answer to his problems. Still, one more nip would chase the cold from his bones.

The light rap at the door dragged his attention away from the assortment of spirits. “Enter.”

When Rose came

into the candlelit room, it was as though the clouds had parted to reveal the hot midday sun. Her smile warmed his heart and dragged him from his melancholic mood.

“Rose. It’s good of you to come.” Why on earth had he said that? As the governess, she had no choice but to abide by her master’s request. “I mean it’s late, and you’ve had a tiring day.”

“Eventful would be a more appropriate word.”

“Indeed.” He stared at her, and she pursed her lips while she waited for him to speak. “Would you care for a drink?” Damn. He had brandy and port, nothing else. “I can see if Mrs Hibbet has sherry.”

“No. One glass and I tend to ramble. Thank you, but I’d best keep my wits.”

Christian chuckled. “You’re safe with me. I’ve yet to take advantage of a governess.” Indeed, the thought had never entered his head until now.

Rose swallowed. “My only thoughts are for the children. What if they should wake and call for me?”

Of course she was thinking of the children. That is why he paid her. Well, he would pay her once the week was out, and he’d persuaded her to stay.

“Please, close the door. We’ll sit by the fire. After a swim in the lake, it’s wise to keep warm.”

She closed the door and came to sit in one the chairs in front of the hearth.

“Do you mind if I take a nip of brandy?”

“Not at all.”

Christian poured the amber liquid into the glass and then sat in the chair opposite. He glanced down at her empty hands resting in her lap. “You recall why I asked you to join me? We were to discuss the letters Jacob mentioned.” And he could not deny his growing need to spend more time in her company.

“Yes.” Her gaze flicked to the crystal decanters. “Perhaps I will have a drink. Port if you have it as I’d rather not disturb Mrs Hibbet. My brother dared me to try brandy once, but it’s so potent it scorched my throat. Then again, I was only twelve.”

One did not need to be a genius to know she sought a distraction.