Fenella J Miller by Lady Eleanor's Secret

Author:Lady Eleanor's Secret [Secret, Lady Eleanor's]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Two weeks after Eleanor’s defection, Jane was still locking the communicating door between their rooms. Edward could hardly kick it open in someone else’s house. Things would be different when they returned to the marital home. There her screams of protest would go unremarked. The servants had been handpicked by him. All were loyal to him and would do his bidding regardless of how unpleasant the duties might be.

He was to travel back to London with a crony of Haverstock’s. He had arranged this lift by being at his most charming and the poor fellow had been obliged to agree.

Thankfully there were no mewling brats to spoil the journey. Sir Anthony Deaver and his wife were in their middle years, their progeny departed for lives of their own.

He smiled across at Lady Deaver and she simpered. “I must thank you again, my lady, for allowing me to intrude on this journey. I have urgent business in town and did not wish to discommode my dear wife and our children by dragging them there.”

“How kind of you, Lord Thorrington. Your wife must much appreciate your consideration in these matters.”

“Indeed she does; we are the most devoted couple. I cannot wait to return in order to spend time at home with her. My boys are leaving for school very soon. I wish to be there to escort them.”

She simpered again. “How thoughtful. How thoughtful it is of him, is it not, Sir Anthony?”

Her husband grunted; he was already more asleep than not. The journey was going to be tedious in the extreme, but the carriage was comfortable and no doubt the overnight accommodation would be excellent. His man, Hudson, was on the box, keeping an eye on the trunks.

He settled back, closing his eyes in pretence of sleep. This would stop the wretched woman from talking to him. His head was churning. He had received an urgent summons from his lawyers. He ground his teeth. Why must he go to them each time? He had no choice for without their co-operation he would not have access to Eleanor’s inheritance.

The next quarter’s rents were due in less than a month, thank God. He would then be solvent and have no need to go cap in hand to the black crows who controlled the trust fund.

Odd how the children had managed to remain all but invisible these past few weeks. Something was not right; whenever he appeared in their vicinity they melted away. Unless he had been prepared to tramp up to the attics to see them, which he was not, he had been denied their company.

In the weeks since Eleanor had run away there had been a change in the way things were. It was as if the ground beneath his feet was beginning to crumble, his unassailable position of authority somehow pushed off balance by this unexpected defiance.

He had decided to let Eleanor settle in to her employment for a while. If he had left before the end of the appointed time at Bridgeton Abbey there would have been comment.

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