AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“All right,” he called, Mrs. Haversham already leading him away, probably to give him a proper wipe down. Letty crossed to the jug of water and poured some in the basin, shivering a little at how cold it was. She splashed water on her face and then used a cloth to wipe it. With a sigh, she slipped out of her nightgown and crossed to the wardrobe where she plucked out her gray uniform gown and white apron and cap. Dressing as fast as she could, she slipped her brogues onto her feet before rushing out of the room.
Forgetting that she’d promised to have breakfast with George, she reached out to the first footman she saw. “Has the master woken? Do you know where he is?”
The man’s brow furrowed with annoyance. “He went to his study last night and did not emerge again.”
“His study, you say?”
“That’s what I said, isn’t it?” The man jerked his wrist out of her hand and hurried away. Letty gawped at him, surprised. Men were not usually that rude to her. With a shrug, she turned and hurried down the stairs to the study. Knocking softly on the door, she opened it without waiting for summons to enter, and stuck her head in. “Your Grace?”
He looked up, his eyes shadowed and heavy. Clearly he had not slept even though he was clad in a silk dressing gown and house slippers. His eyes cleared when he saw her and he beckoned for her to enter.
She slipped into the room and closed the door behind her before turning to face him. “Well?” she asked without preamble.
He shook his head. “He told me nothing of interest.”
Letty hurried forward and sat in the chair opposite him, leaning eagerly toward him. “Really? Nothing at all? Perhaps you ought to let me question him.”
The Duke snorted. “And how am I to trust you?”
“I saved your life!”
He narrowed his eyes at her, also leaning forward so that they were eye to eye. “And how exactlydidyou do that? How did you know he was coming?”
“I didn’t.”
His eyes narrowed further and his lips pursed. She lifted up her palm to forestall his protests. “Patience, and I will tell you all.”
He gestured with his hand for her to continue.
“I was…leaving, last night. Going in search of transportation to get me back to France.”
“What? You gave yourparole!”
“I did. But,” she shook her head, “it was getting too…confusing…to be here. The ground was starting to feel too slippery beneath my feet. I needed to remind myself of who I am.”
“I see. So what did you do?”
“I…well, I arrived at a previously arranged rendezvous spot in the hopes of finding a message or a means to leave…” she bit her lip uncertainly.
“I take it you found nothing.” His voice was soft and sympathetic.
She shook her head, and forced a smile. “Well, it is natural that they were not expecting me. But since I did not find anyone, I was forced to return here.”
He sighed, opening his mouth and then closing it again before nodding for her to continue.
“As I was walking home, I decided that I could not deal with the guards so I climbed the Countess of Perrin’s fence—it’s quite low and with very convenient footholds, and then ran to the bottom of the garden. As I headed to the gate, I saw someone was there before me.”
She looked up to gauge if he believed her. “He wore a cloak and he was moving fast. I decided to follow him.”
“And he led you to my bedchamber?”
“Indeed, Your Grace.”
“Why did you not alert the guards?”
She shrugged. “There is already so much distrust among the servants. I thought that maybe they would not believe me. That they would assume that I was up to something…nefarious.”
He pursed his lips again but said nothing.
