An Earl's Redemption_Regency Romance by Joyce Alec

Author:Joyce Alec [Alec, Joyce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-06T04:00:00+00:00

9

“What is that?”

Joseph was standing in the middle of Lord Paulson’s library, his eyes trying to focus on what the dark shape on the floor might be. His heart was pounding furiously and the urge to depart the room without discovering the truth was growing steadily, but he knew he could not show so little strength. Mayhap this was what Lady Starling would need to help free her from Lord Paulson’s clutches, which would then allow him to return his attention to Miss Whitaker.

Joseph had seen Miss Whitaker the moment she walked into the room just behind her mother. The way she had looked up into Lord Paulson’s face had given him hope that she was beginning to get the measure of the man. She certainly seemed intelligent and considered in her thoughts and he had to pray that she would not decide to grow closer to the fellow.

Lady Starling, of course, had not so much as given Miss Whitaker a cursory glance, for her attention had been solely fixed on Lord Paulson. Lord Paulson had come to speak to them both but had not said particularly much to either of them. Instead, he had merely informed them about how much they could expect from this evening and what delightful entertainments he had planned. Joseph had realized that he was meant to be impressed by this and, despite his dislike of the gentleman, had nodded and murmured something about how he was looking forward to it. He had also had to thank Lord Paulson for allowing him to accompany Lady Starling to this evening’s soiree, especially since they had not been formally introduced since that very evening, but Lord Paulson had only laughed and stated that he did not care for such formalities and that Lady Starling was allowed to bring anyone she wished to his events.

He then commented on Lady Starling’s choice of dark green gown, stating, with what appeared to be delight, that she was almost a precise match to one Miss Preston and that he might mistake the two of them were Lady Starling not clearly more beautiful that Miss Preston. Whether or not this had been meant to embarrass Lady Starling, Joseph had not been sure, although he had found the remark rather displeasing. What made it all the worse was that this remark had been followed by a broad wink towards Lady Starling before, mercifully, Lord Paulson had taken his leave, which had brought a flush of embarrassment to the lady’s cheeks.

Joseph had decided, there and then, that Lady Starling’s intention to search Lord Paulson’s house for evidence of a misdemeanor they might use against him was, in fact, the correct course of action. A gentleman who behaved in such a fashion as that did not deserve to continue on as he did. His blackmailing had to be stopped one way or the other.

However, when the time had come to slip from the room and begin his search, Joseph had not known where to start.

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