A Hint of Scandal by Rhonda Woodward

Author:Rhonda Woodward [Woodward, Rhonda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101568422
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2012-03-13T04:00:00+00:00

“Well,” Bella said aloud in mild surprise. After reading the note again, she could not decide if she was relieved that he was gone or not. Even though she was anxious to have things settled between them, his presence had become so disturbing, some time to sort out her thoughts would be a relief.

A little later, her curiosity about the duke’s home drew her from her bedchamber. After some minutes of going up and down hallways, Bella realized that she was hopelessly lost. Though there were innumerable footmen and maids to direct her, she would turn down another corridor and lose her way again.

Since she had nothing to do, she did not really mind. After all, how lost could she get? she mused with a little smile.

Autley was beautifully decorated, and Bella owned herself impressed with the antiques and rare artwork that filled the place. Gainsboroughs and Van Dykes filled the gallery, and when she had wandered into one of the formal drawing rooms, she stopped to stare in awe at the gilded mural depicting a romanticized scene of heaven, taking up all four walls.

It was only by opening one door after another that Bella was able to find a room that seemed lived in. On her fifth try she stumbled into what was apparently a sitting room, and found Margaret Westlake perusing a fashion magazine while seated on a settee by a large bay window.

“Good morning,” Bella said with a little laugh. “I have been wandering this vast place for what seems like hours. What a relief to find another living soul!”

Margaret laughed a little too hard and long at Bella’s attempt at humor, especially since Bella did not think the mirth reached her brown eyes.

“Come and sit with me, my dear sister-in-law. We must become acquainted.”

Bella moved across the room to sit in a chair opposite Margaret and took in the peach confection of the morning gown she wore.

From neck to hem, there were graduating sizes of puffy peach bows. The largest one, at the hem, was probably a foot wide. Bella wondered if Margaret was considered fashionable or if others considered her attire as absurd as she did.

“So how do you like your new home?” Margaret asked once Bella was seated.

“I do not know yet. It is certainly beautiful here. And large,” she told the redhead in an attempt to ease their conversation.

“Yes, it certainly is that. But you would be hard-put to find a grander house in all of England.”

“I am sure.”

“I must say we were all quite bowled over by the news that Westlake had married.” Margaret smiled, but Bella noticed the redhead was watching her keenly.

“It was very sudden, was it not?” she continued.

Bella did not intend to discuss her marriage to the duke with his sister-in-law. “Yes. I suppose it was.” She smiled politely. “Your son seems to have recovered very well from his accident. And he seems a very bright boy,” she offered in hopes of changing the subject.

Margaret looked at Bella with her head slightly tilted before responding.

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