Fearless by Lynne Connolly

Author:Lynne Connolly [Connolly, Lynne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Breakfast at the house of the Marquess of Strenshall was a noisy affair, even with a member of the family missing. Last night, while Val had been cavorting with his betrothed and teasing Lord Kellett half to death, his oldest brother had arrived from the country with his wife.

Viola was an old friend. She had been the daughter of the steward to the estate, and more besides. In a breakneck adventure last year, Val’s older brother Marcus had saved her, been happily compromised, and married her. Viola’s presence at the table seemed as if it was meant to be.

Claudia, the missing member of the family, was in the country with her husband. Claudia’s twin, Livia, missed her terribly, but she was holding up, and it wasn’t as if her sister weren’t blissfully happy.

Val strolled into the breakfast parlor wearing a brilliant purple banyan, one of his collection of the soft garments that took the place of the formal coat indoors. He had floor-length ones too and took great pleasure in seeking out the brightest he could find. They made a wonderful contrast to the pale man with red-rimmed eyes who was suffering from the effects of the night before.

Not today though. Today he was stone-cold sober.

After greeting Marcus, he took his seat and reached for the coffee. His mother had long ago instituted an informal meal at noon to which all the family were summoned. Servants only entered when she rang the bell at her elbow. They were alone and they could speak frankly, sometimes brutally.

His mother’s sigh alerted Val to the fact that he was not in her best books this morning. Such a small sigh, but so full of meaning.

He rubbed his chin, the stubble rasping his palm. “You are about to comment on last night’s events,” he prompted her. Better to get it over with, and then he could eat his breakfast in peace.

“Fill your plate first, my son. You’re going to need it.”

Damn. Rising from the table, Val sauntered to the sideboard and did as she bade him. The usual delicious array of chops, kidneys, bacon, eggs, fried potatoes, and the other viands her ladyship deemed necessary for her family’s start to the day lay in silver warming plates over spirit lamps, keeping sizzling hot. Val helped himself, but he only took a modest amount. He could still see the floral pattern on his plate when he had done.

Returning to the table, he took his place. He would far rather visit his father in his study than face trial by family. “Let battle commence.” He picked up his knife and fork and cut into his chop.

“Val, you have a positive gift for getting into trouble,” his mother complained. “Your little drama last night was enacted in front of half of London. The other half is reading about it this morning. They are now speculating about the bad blood between the Emperors and the Smithsons. We have only just settled our differences with the Dankworths. We are hardly looking for another fight.

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