AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No,” Sarah said, “that is impossible. How could a man say such sweet things to me if he didn’t mean them?”
“I’m afraid men do it all the time.”
Sarah shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”
“If my cousin’s intentions were pure, then why did he only meet with you in secret?”
“Because he wanted to keep it our little secret for a while.” Her voice grew soft at the end when realization dawned.
Daphne watched her with compassion. “I’m afraid my cousin was using you for his own pleasure, and he didn’t care to think about the consequences of his actions.”
Sarah’s face paled. “I was such a fool,” she said. “I believed what he told me! He promised me so many things.”
“It is better that you know the truth now than waste more time on him.”
Sarah bobbed her head slowly. “You are right, of course.”
“I’m sorry that my cousin is such a despicable man.”
“It isn’t your fault.”
“No, but I should have warned you.”
Sarah wiped a tear that slipped out of the corner of her eye. “I wouldn’t have listened to you, either,” she said. “I thought I knew better than everyone else.”
“If it helps, you are not the first woman who has fallen victim to my cousin’s flowery words.”
“That does provide me with some comfort.”
Daphne rose. “You need a distraction,” she stated. “Come with me to deliver a basket to a woman in town.”
“I would love that,” Sarah said, rising.
“Wonderful.” She walked to the door. “Why don’t you take a moment to compose yourself, and I will go down to the kitchen to see if the basket is prepared?”
“Thank you, Miss Locke.”
Daphne smiled. “You are welcome, Sarah.”
After she exited the bedchamber, Daphne continued down the hall and descended the stairs. She had just stepped into the entry hall when a knock came at the door.
Her butler promptly walked across the tiles to answer the door. He opened it and said, “It is good to see you again, Mr. Huxley.”
Drat.
He was the last person she wanted to see right now. She started to swiftly walk away when she heard Mr. Huxley’s voice echo throughout the entry hall.
“Miss Locke,” he said. “I thought that was you.”
She spun on her heel and brought a smile to her lips. “Good morning, Mr. Huxley,” she greeted. “I’m afraid I was just on my way down to the kitchen.”
“Whatever for?” Mr. Huxley asked.
“I was just going to ask about a basket that I requested to be prepared for a woman in town.”
“Why not just send a servant down to check on it?” Mr. Huxley turned his attention towards Barrow. “Will you go see if the basket is ready?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Barrow remarked.
