AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sounds like Rafe.” Westbury chuckled.
“If you see him, or hear anything about him, contact me immediately. I’ll pay the cost of the messenger.” He reached into his pocket and handed the duke a banknote.
Westbury’s eyes gleamed as he accepted the note. “Much obliged.”
“Spend the difference on your sisters.”
He wouldn’t. He’d waste it all chasing the dice.
“Are you certain that you won’t consider marrying one of them?” Westbury asked. “I have several sisters to choose from.”
Drew finished his coffee. Westbury’s sisters were perfectly nice girls. Cultured, comely, and obliging, but they lacked... fire. They wouldn’t contradict his every word. Or hold him at pistol point.
“I have to go,” he said abruptly. “Remember to contact me if you hear anything about Rafe.”
“I will,” said Westbury.
He wouldn’t. He’d forget all about this conversation after five more glasses. It was useless to enlist the help of drunkards. Perhaps former mistresses would prove more helpful.
Frances Flynn could know something.
MissPenny would be at his house right now, visiting with Beatrice and then contriving a way to interview the servants. He hoped she’d have better luck than he’d had this morning. None of the servants had known anything about Rafe’s troubles except in the general sense that he lost large sums of money gambling and lived an extravagant life.
If anyone could cajole them into unguarded speech, it was MissPenny, with the one-two punch of her sunny smile and sharp wit.
Mina and Lady Beatrice were seated on a wide wooden swing in the gardens that separated the two Thorndon town houses, having left Grizzy with Lady Beatrice’s mother. The two older ladies had settled in for a cup of tea and a nice long gossip, so Mina and Lady Beatrice had decided to move outdoors, since it was such a fine day.
The air was fragrant with the sweet scent of roses and peonies. To the left was the bedchamber window where Mina had observed Thorndon doing ... what he’d been doing. A thrill rippled through her body as she remembered the unforgettable sight. His muscles straining, body taut with tension and desire. Had he been thinking about her as he touched himself? It wasn’t unimaginable. He’d observed her revealing dance as she attempted to fasten her scarlet gown in the garden shed. She could have given him inspiration.
Or it could have been the seductive gown. After she’d changed back into her demure white dress, she’d left the red silk gown in the storage bench, having nowhere else to stash it without attracting Grizzy’s attention. Perhaps Mina would find a way to retrieve it soon.
“Are you a person with a happy temperament and a bright outlook on life, MissPenny?” asked Lady Beatrice. She wore a simple gown in a lavender hue that contrasted pleasingly with her copper hair.
“I suppose so,” replied Mina. “I haven’t thought much about it.”
“You appear that way to me but appearances can be deceiving.”
“I’d say that I’m a person who believes in action. If I’m moving forward, learning new skills, challenging myself, then I’ve no time to mope.”
Mina was enjoying their conversation, though she knew she must find a way to steal over to Lord Rafe’s town house to interview the servants and continue her search for clues.
The glass of Lady Beatrice’s spectacles sparkled in the sunlight as she shifted closer to Mina on the swinging bench. “And do you take a charitable interest in those less fortunate than yourself?”
“I’ve lived at my uncle’s estate for the last ten years and the tenants and surrounding villagers are quite prosperous. I have to admit I’ve never engaged in charitable works.”
“An honest answer. But you would, if given the opportunity.”
“Certainly. When we traveled to Town, our carriage passed by groups of people living in terrible poverty and it saddened me. It doesn’t seem right that there is such a tremendous gulf between the lives of those born into humble origins and those born with a silver spoon in their mouths.”
“Well said.” Lady Beatrice nodded. “And what are your views on childbearing?”
“Pardon me?”
“Do you want to have children, MissPenny? Not all women do. I probably never will as childbearing generally means taking a husband.”
“Well,” began Mina, not quite certain how to answer the question. She decided on telling the truth. She liked Lady Beatrice and wanted to be honest with her. “I do want to have a child but not just yet. I’m of the mind that a young lady’s purpose in life is not solely to produce heirs or create harmonious households. I believe women can achieve other goals.”
“Quite so. What of your parents—they died when you were young?”
