An Alleged Rogue by Sian Ann Bessey

Author:Sian Ann Bessey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Lord;Tyrant;Historical;Romance;Clean;LDS;Fiction;Family;Sister;Captive;Home;Manor;Dinner party;Scandalized;whispers;rumors;neighbor;Love;friends;regency
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2021-10-14T14:42:35+00:00

After waiting over a week for her letter to reach Emily and for her friend’s eager response to arrive back at Charwell Park, Phoebe had accepted Emily’s invitation to join her for luncheon. She had taken the carriage to Dunsbourne Manor the very next day, but if Miss Glover’s dour expression upon seeing her was any indication, the older lady was not nearly as pleased by the young ladies’ reunion as Phoebe and Emily. Thankfully, Miss Glover’s stony silence had not been enough to prevent them from enjoying a lovely meal, and afterward, they had relocated to the drawing room.

Phoebe and Emily were studying a pictorial book full of sketches of wildlife indigenous to India when a plump, white-haired lady wearing a mobcap and an enormous apron knocked on the door.

“Begging your pardon, miss.” The servant, whom Phoebe assumed was the cook, bobbed a curtsy. “I was just wondering if you’d heard anything from Lord Dunsbourne about his luncheon.”

“His luncheon?” Emily said.

“Yes, miss. Thompson mentioned that they might be a bit short-handed in the orchard today. And I wondered if perhaps his Lordship would prefer to have some food taken down to him.” Concern filled her eyes. “I’d hate to see him go without nourishment all day long.”

“Has he not come in yet today?” Emily said.

“No, miss.”

“Not even for breakfast?”

“No, miss.”

Cook’s concern became Emily’s. “If you would be so good as to pack him a basket, Miss Hadford and I will gladly walk it down to him.” She turned to Phoebe. “You would not mind, would you?”

“Not at all,” Phoebe said, even as butterflies started dancing in her stomach. No matter the situation, it seemed that she was never fully prepared to see Lord Dunsbourne.

“Thank you, miss. I shall gather some victuals right away.”

Cook disappeared, and Emily glanced at Miss Glover. The older lady was dozing in the chair closest to the fire.

“I think perhaps it is best if we let Miss Glover rest,” Emily said.

Phoebe nodded, hoping her relief was not too evident. Emily had told her that Miss Glover usually took a nap in the afternoon, but it had taken a while for the elderly lady to succumb to sleep today. She had obviously wished to stay alert to keep a firm eye on Phoebe and Emily; her disapproval of their friendship was as palpable as it was perplexing.

Emily rose and beckoned Phoebe to follow. They walked quietly out of the room and into the vast main hall. The entrance to the beautiful home was empty, and Phoebe was reminded once again of the lack of servants at the manor. No wonder Emily had volunteered to do a job better suited for a footman.

They did not have to wait long before Cook arrived carrying a basket in each hand.

“I put in enough for Henry and Oliver—and the boys, too, if they came without,” Cook said.

Emily took the baskets from her and passed one to Phoebe. “Thank you. That was very thoughtful.”

“Well, we can’t have his Lordship losing his strength now, can we? Not when he needs it the most.

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