"I know she was upset that Father left me in control of
things. After seeing how much work she'd done, I can't say I
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blame her." Leaning back in the chair, Myles steepled his
fingers. "I arranged an escort for Serenity, since I was busy
settling Father's affairs."
"If I may be so bold, sir." Charles stepped into the room.
He paused, hands behind his stiff back. "I've debated saying
this before now because Miss Serenity asked me not to,
but..."
"It is my story." Clara, the housekeeper rushed in front of
Charles. "Let me."
"Would someone just tell the bloody story?" Oliver
blustered, slamming down his china teacup. He rubbed his
temple. "Please." He groaned.
Everyone exchanged glances. Finally, Clara straightened
her shoulders and defiantly tilted her chin. "The trouble began
three months ago, when Miss Serenity went to the Maxwells'
soiree with Lord Tarrington."
"Lord Rudgewick Tarrington?" Oliver gasped. "That rake."
Oliver pointed an accusing finger at Myles. "You let your
sister go unchaperoned with that ... that bounder. She wasn't
even out of mourning yet."
Myles threw up his hands. "Rudgewick was is a close
friend of mine. His behavior had been nothing but
gentlemanly toward my sister."
"I beg to differ, Master Myles," Clara cut in. "You didn't see
the shape the poor dear was in when she returned that
night." The woman humphed with righteous indignation. "Her
dress was torn." Clara clucked her tongue. "The poor child
about scalded herself in the tub trying to scrub her body
clean."
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"I have to agree with Clara's analysis, Lord Stratten."
Charles nodded solemnly. "I had to order a bath and send for
her maid because Miss Serenity just sat there on the edge of
her bed, silently crying. It took a good hour before she would
let anyone help her."
"Where were you, I'd like to know, while your sister was
being mistreated?" Oliver thundered. "Off drinking and
gambling at the clubs, no doubt."
Myles's face burned. He had gone out with his friends that
night after meeting with his father's solicitor.
"Where is Serenity's maid? Maybe she has some answers,"
Oliver demanded.
"I already thought of that," Myles said. "Seems Ruby left
for Queens to help her sister with a new baby. It had been
arranged long before Serenity's disappearance." Myles's head
dropped into his hands. "I must have been blind. She avoided
me the next day. I just thought she was grieving over
Father's death," he responded lamely.
Oliver made a rude noise. "Well, let's hear the rest of this
sordid story."
"I pushed Serenity into attending the Billings' ball three
weeks ago with Rudgewick. She never returned from that
affair."
"Did he elope with her? God knows, since his father, the
Earl of Norcliff, cut him off, Lord Tarrington could stand to
marry an heiress."
"No." Myles jumped up, tossing his napkin down. "You do
him a disservice. Rudgewick has been worried about her."
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Myles hated lying for Rudgewick, but he wasn't ready to
admit the man had dishonorable intentions toward Serenity
either. Surely, this must be a grave misunderstanding.
Rudgewick had been an ally. Right? Tarrington had stood up
for him at Oxford when the other boys had taunted him about
his Yank accent. He had been patient and helpful when Myles
had needed to learn how to fit in with the English boys. He
told him what popular clubs to frequent and games to play.
How could his best friend have brutalized his sister?
"I'll just bet Lord Tarrington was worried," Oliver remarked
dryly, over his steaming teacup. "More likely he feared losing
his golden opportunity."
Myles clenched his fists. Rudgewick's betrayal rubbed him
raw. He had brought Tarrington into his family. Seeing his
uncle's face gray with pain, he was overwhelmed with regret.
Somehow he had to see this situation right.
"I'm sorry to interrupt" Fiona stepped into the room in a
pink day dress of Serenity's "but since your voices can be
heard throughout the house, I couldna help but overhear."
Myles rolled his eyes, embarrassed Fiona had heard about
his mistakes.
"Didna you tell Lord Stratten that we learned your sister is
under the care of Mrs. MacClarron?"
"Rose?" Oliver sputtered. His face lost all color.
Myles felt a twinge of sinful delight that the mention of his
mistress's name affected Uncle Oliver so.
"That's right," Fiona continued. "But her servants willna
talk to us."
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Oliver tossed down his napkin, wincing, and stood. He
braced himself on the back of a chair and took a labored
breath. "They bloody well will talk to me," he said, his voice
gruff. "Come on," Oliver groaned, straightening up. "Let's get
this mess sorted out before we have a scandal of epic
proportions on our hands."
* * * *
Dry Gulch, Kansas
Serenity's stomach rolled at the sight of the heavy slop
bucket sloshing in her left hand.
"The trough is over there," Alisha said, hands behind her
back, a smug look on her face. "You can pour it in."
Serenity looked around for these mysterious pig creatures.
What kind of varmint would eat this disgusting stuff?
As she poured the remains of last night's dinner into the
trough, a squeal made her jump. Running behind her were [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]