Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I say, Ashford,” a young lord said to Thomas. “You missed a damned fine hunt.”
“I daresay I shall attend the next,” Thomas said. “I’m glad you had a good day.” Through the crowd assembling in the foyer, servants attending to them, Thomas finally spied Viscount Polk still on the veranda, and he was talking to his son and Jonathan.
Odd, Thomas thought to himself, but that was as far as he thought as he strode out the doorway, mumbling salutations to people as he passed.
“Polk,” he said loudly.
Both the viscount, Hawthorne Polk, and his son looked up, raising their eyebrows.
“Ashford,” the elder Polk said. “Fine hunt today. So sorry you missed it.”
“Yes, yes, so I’ve heard. ’Tis a shame your son and my cousin missed it as well.”
Viscount Polk coughed into a hanky. “Yes, yes. You know young people.”
What in the world did that mean? Thomas didn’t have time to dwell on it.
“If you have a minute,” Thomas said to Viscount Polk, “I should like to see you in my study if I may.”
“About what?”
“About some border and water disputes that you were having with my father before his untimely demise. Odd that he didn’t mention them to me.”
“Oh yes, yes.” Polk coughed into his hanky once more. “We got all that settled between Crispin and myself. No need to worry about it.”
“I’m afraid I am worried about it,” Thomas said. “My father told me nothing about anything of the sort.”
“It only just came about shortly before his death, but we came to peace on the matter.”
“I’m very glad to hear that,” Thomas said, “but I would like to speak to you about it straightaway anyway. In my study, shall we?”
“Really, Ashford,” the younger Polk said. “Can’t you see my father has need to retire? Being out all day has his asthma acting up.”
Thomas resisted rolling his eyes. What was going on here?
And why…
Why had Victor Polk and Jonathan been near his study earlier?
And why had the study been unlocked?
Chills gripped the back of Thomas’s neck.
Something was afoot here. And he had a feeling his friend and cousin knew more than they were letting on.
“I should only take a few moments of your time, Viscount,” Thomas said again.
“What about after dinner?” Viscount Polk said. “Over brandy and cigars. After I’m well rested, with a full belly.”
This time, Thomas couldn’t hold back his eye roll. “Fine, fine. After dinner.”
He turned and walked back into the house.
Something was going on, and he aimed to find out exactly what it was.
19
Tricia’s eyes popped open, and for a moment she didn’t know where she was.
This was not her bedchamber, and these were not her sheets. Indeed, they were softest silk. Not the lovely cotton that were in her room.
But then the ache between her legs served as a reminder, and she couldn’t help smiling.
Thomas.
Thomas had made love to her. Had taken her virginity.
It had been the most exquisite experience of her young life.
But where was he now?
“Thomas?” she asked hesitantly.
A moment later, a strange man stuck his head in the crack of the door.
Tricia gasped, holding the bedclothes over her naked form.
“I beg pardon, my lady. I am Longbottom, Lord Ashford’s valet. He asked that I see to your safety with discretion. Shall I call for your maid to help you dress?”
Oh dear Lord, Tricia thought as embarrassment crept into her cheeks.
“My maid’s name is Trudy,” she said, “but she’s also maid to my younger sister, Katrina. I… I can’t…”
“Do not worry, my lady. I understand perfectly. You require discretion. Let me just find one of the countess’s lady’s maids to help you.”
“Oh my goodness, no!” Tricia gasped. “The countess can’t know about this either. Nor can Thomas’s sister, the other countess. My sister-in-law. My God, no one can know.”
“Whom shall I summon then? I can’t help you myself. That would be highly improper.”
“Indeed it would. Perhaps…” Tricia’s thoughts raced. “The Duchess of Lybrook. That’s it. Get her. She’ll help me.”
“Her grace? It would be equally improper for me to ask such a thing of her.”
“Tell her it’s me. Lady Patricia Price-Adams. She will understand. Please.”
“I don’t have any idea where she might be. She’s probably still reposing after the luncheon.”
“My brother said the duke went on the hunt.”
“The men are just returning from the hunt,” Longbottom said.
“Oh!” Could this be any worse?
“Perhaps the duchess doesn’t know the duke has returned yet. Please. Send for her. Tell her it’s me, and I know she’ll come.”
“As you wish, my lady. I shall lock the bedchamber door behind you, just in case.”
“No! Do not lock me in. What if you don’t come back?”
“I shall return momentarily. I have the run of this entire house, and I shall summon the duchess’s maid and see if the duchess can come to your aid.”
“Yes, all right. Thank you, Mr. Longbottom.”
“It is my pleasure, my lady.”