The Cursed Countess (The Daring Drake Sisters 1)

Once Tessa had departed to change, Jack again looked around to no avail. He walked to the corridor to search out the butler. “Roberts, does Lady Stanhope have a library? I am looking for a book on plants so we can make sure that the flower blooms.”

“Of course, sir. Follow me.”

Jack followed the butler to the small library in the back of the house that looked out into the gardens. There were only two walls filled with books and many shelves were completely empty though he had no idea why. He quickly scanned the titles, looking for anything questionable in the titles but found nothing that he wouldn’t find in his own brother’s library.

“I heard you were looking for a book on planting?”

He turned at the sound of her voice and smiled. “I was hoping you would take long enough that I could scan a book and sound quite pretentious as I gave you instructions on what to do.”

She giggled as she placed the plant on the cherry desk. “I believe I know what to do with this plant.” As she looked down at it, she frowned. “I am worried about one thing. Could you please bring the garden book on the second shelf? I cannot remember the title but it has a rose etched into the leather cover.”

Jack searched the second shelf until he found the book she needed. “What do you need to know about the plant?”

“Since it is not in bloom yet, I’m not quite certain what it is. I can only go by the leaves. Certain plants need different types of sunlight and I want to be certain I plant it in the right spot.” She paged through the book until she stopped on Nightshade. “Oh my,” she muttered, staring at the illustration.

“What is the matter?”

“Your grandmother gave me a poisonous plant. I cannot accept this, sir.” She turned back and glared at him. “Did she do this as a prank? Did she think the Cursed Countess would like a poisonous plant in her yard?”

“Of course not,” he lied.

“You said she was an avid gardener so it is difficult to believe she wouldn’t have known exactly what she had given me.”

“Tessa, I know my grandmother was a little difficult today.” He paused as she gave him a sharp glare. “Very well, she was extremely rude to you today. But she is not vengeful. She would not have given you a plant because it was poisonous. As she dug it up, she told me it has a beautiful bloom on it and berries too.”

“Yes, berries that some child could pick, eat, and then die. It’s bad enough people think I killed my husbands, but I would be heartbroken if some child died because of something I planted.”

“I understand. I will take it back to my grandmother and explain. Perhaps she will find a more suitable planting for you.”

“Do you know what would happen if people discovered that plant in my garden?”

She’d spoken so quietly he almost didn’t hear her. “No, what would happen?” he asked, tipping her chin upward.

“Once again, everyone would assume I killed one or all of them.” Her blue eyes welled with tears. “I have to live with the rumors and gossip every day but at least I know that there are many people who believe it really was just bad luck on my part. If any of them discovered this plant, the few people who support me would be gone. Just because of one plant.”

Do not fall for her tears, he scolded himself. She could be an actress playing a part, just as you did when you lied about Stanhope extorting you. “I’m sorry. I had no thought as to how this might look to others.”

“Most people wouldn’t. I have no choice if I wish to have any hope of eventually being accepted into Society again.”

“It has been a long day and I should take my leave now.” Even as he said the words, he hoped she would ask him to stay. “I will return the plant to my grandmother and make certain she knows that is it poisonous.”

“Thank you.”

He picked up the plant and then gave her a quick bow. “Good day, Lady Stanhope.”

“Good day, Mr. Raynerson.”

He walked to the threshold and stopped. “Will you be attending the Creighton ball tomorrow?”

“I did not receive an invitation.”

What would make him ask such a question when he already knew the answer? “Of course,” he said with a brief nod. “Good day, then.”

As he left the house, he realized that she did indeed know something about poisons, or least had a book regarding deadly plants. He hated to think he was courting a murderess, but between the payments to the solicitor in Cornwall and the plant, circumstances were leading him to believe she may have at

least had a hand in their deaths.

CHAPTER 12