A Peculiar Courtship: A Regency Spy Romance (The Beckett Files Book 2) by Laura Beers

Author:Laura Beers [Beers, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2021-01-27T05:00:00+00:00

18

Hannah awoke to a loud, continuous metal screeching from the portcullis. Opening one of her eyes, she noticed that it was still dark outside. She pulled a pillow over her head and thought about trying to fall back to sleep. She had been dreaming about Jonathon, and he was leaning in to kiss her when she was so rudely awakened.

She could hear a commotion and muffled shouting. Something must be going on. She rolled out of bed and reached for her wrap. Her hair was braided loosely and hung over one shoulder. She knew she wasn’t dressed decently, but she only intended to peek around the corner.

Opening her door, she heard Jonathon exclaim, “What happened to you?”

Oh, no! Eliza must have been hurt on the mission. Without a second thought, Hannah rushed down the staircase, but stopped when she saw Benedict holding a petite, blonde woman in a dark blue traveling gown. As the woman peered up at her, Hannah noticed the swollen eye and cut lip, but also noted that they did not hide her beauty at all. Who was this beautiful woman in Benedict’s arms and where was Eliza? Was she all right?

As she descended the stairs, she noticed Mr. Larson and Eliza loitering nearby. “Oh, Eliza. I was worried that you might have been hurt,” Hannah confessed, her hand covering her heart.

Jonathon ran up the few stairs to escort her down. “Lady Hannah, may I present my sister Kate, also known as Lady…”

“No! I do not ever want to be called that again,” Kate demanded, tears welling up in her eyes.

Hannah heard the raw anguish in Kate’s voice. What happened to this woman? “It is a pleasure to meet you Kate. You must call me Hannah.”

Kate glanced at Jonathon in confusion. “You’re married?”

Jonathon’s face paled slightly. “No, I…why would you think that?”

Frowning at his reaction, Hannah decided to take pity on him under the circumstances. “What Jonathon is so eloquently attempting to say, is that we are not married. I am under his protection because…” she glanced nervously at Jonathon, “…your husband is trying to abduct me.”

“Of course, he is.” Kate’s eyes were filled with regret. “I am sorry Matthew is causing you such pain.”

“It appears that he has caused you pain, as well,” Hannah said softly, hoping she could help ease Kate’s pain, if only a little.

Forcing a smile, Kate replied, “I hope that is now in the past.” She looked up at Benedict. “You may put me down now.”

Instead, Benedict walked her into the drawing room and gently sat her down on the settee, as everyone followed.

Eliza sat next to Kate. “I asked the cook to bring in some tea and sandwiches. I thought you might be hungry.”

Kate stifled a yawn. “I apologize for being such a burden. After all, I practically forced you to take me with you.”

Benedict smiled kindly at his sister-in-law. “You are always welcome in our home.”

Kate glanced around the drawing room. “And this is home?”

Eliza gently covered Kate’s hand with her own.

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