For the Lust of a Rogue by Olivia Bennet

Author:Olivia Bennet
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2020-04-05T21:00:00+00:00

Caroline had been carrying a tight knot of worries ever since yesterday’s trip to the museum. She could not rid herself of Lord Estaria’s image as he held her hand tightly in his. Thankfully, he had been quiet on the way back.

I wonder where he disappeared to once Lady Sarah arrived? She seemed determined not to look at me, let alone speak.

She had just sat down at the dinner table. Lord Estaria was there, of course, as well as the Dowager Duchess, and her father.

“How has your day been, Father?” Caroline asked.

“It was good, poppet. I must say, our Mr. Langley certainly made an impression at court today,” her father replied.

“He did?” Her voice was soft and high, and her heart skipped a beat at the mere mention of his name.

“Oh, yes, he was quite excellent.” Lord Brighney chortled. “Poor old Mr. Trembill hadn’t a chance.”

“This was Lady Williams’ case, was it not?” She tried to calm her voice, but it was impossible.

“It was,” her father said, seeming surprised she knew that.

“I heard Lady Williams forged a will from her late husband,” Lord Estaria said suddenly.

“Well, Mr. Langley proved today that was indeed not correct,” Lord Brighney replied.

“Did he win the case?” She asked excitedly.

“He did.”

“I’m very pleased,” she said. But at the harsh look on Lord Estaria’s face, she quickly added, “This must mean so very much to Lady Williams. She has always been kind to me.”

“Do you know, Lady Eastridge told me the most remarkable story, yesterday at the museum,” the Dowager Duchess said conversationally, after a somewhat tense silence. Lord Estaria looked sharply at the Dowager Duchess.

“Oh, really, what did she say?” Lord Brighney replied. Caroline was sure her father hadn’t the faintest idea of who her aunt spoke.

“It was about her poor niece, Lady Sarah,” her aunt continued. She glanced a look at Lord Estaria. He was paler than usual, and he gulped down his drink.

“What of her niece?” her father said, taking another bite.

“Apparently, her lady’s maid has run away.” The Dowager Duchess turned her attention to Caroline.

“How strange,” she said, her mind working furiously.

Another lady’s maid, gone! Can this be a coincidence?

“It’s so difficult to get a good lady’s maid these days,” her aunt said, her voice oddly accusatory.

“I do hope Lady Sarah will find a new lady’s maid soon,” Caroline replied. The Dowager Duchess was now staring at her.

“I could not help notice that Madeleine was missing for quite a while at the museum yesterday,” her aunt said.

“Was she?” Caroline felt icy cold dread trickle down her spine.

“Yes.” The Dowager Duchess took a sip of her wine, her eyebrow raised. “First, she neglects to handle her correspondence in private, and now she leaves at her own leisure.”

“Oh, I remember now,” she hurried to say. “I asked her to return to Lord Estaria’s carriage.”

“Why on earth did you do that?” Her aunt exclaimed.

“I was concerned that I had lost Mother’s ring there,” she answered, thinking up the excuse quickly.

“Did she find it?”

“Actually, I remembered that I had left it at home,” she said lamely.

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