Harlequin Historical January 2018--Box Set 2 of 2 by Kathryn Albright

Author:Kathryn Albright
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488087455
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Hoping to hide her secret behind a mask of nonchalance, Aphra had no reply to her cousin’s one-word greeting of ‘Well?’ the next morning before breakfast. They tried to read each other’s eyes, but Aphra’s gaze fell before the laughter in Etta’s. ‘Oh, Ettie! Does it show?’

Etta would not tease her. It was much too serious for that. Instead, she drew Aphra into her embrace for the comfort of her understanding. ‘Only to me, love. Because I know how you must be feeling. Are you all right?’

It was what Tilda had asked. The reply was the same. ‘Yes, I think so. I don’t know, really. How does anyone feel at gaining something and losing it at the same time? Bereft?’ Then, because she had to speak his name, she whispered into Etta’s neck, ‘Santo’s gone, Ettie. Shall I ever see him again?’

‘Of course you will. Now,’ Etta said, holding Aphra away, ‘the best thing for you will be to tackle the problem of Ben. So let’s get breakfast over and then make a start. Shall we? That must take priority. I’m sure we’ll find an explanation.’

Lord Somerville was of the same mind, and while their kindly efforts to lift her spirits deserved some positive response, Aphra took them up to her workroom where her first investigations had caused her some concern, if not alarm. But the workroom held other memories for her of how, two nights ago, Santo had made her confront her desires and reveal something of the way her heart had changed course more quickly than she had ever thought possible. Never having thought of herself as impulsive, she now reeled from the suddenness and speed of events, alarmed by self-doubt, thoughts of wanton behaviour and that generosity she had disdained only hours before practising it, this time as great as she could make it. Is that what love did? Take her to the heights of joy before plunging her into emptiness? Would he return? Had she given too much? Again?

‘Aphie!’ Etta whispered, nudging her gently. ‘The keys? We have to get into these cupboards, love.’

‘Oh…yes! Sorry.’ Sorting through the various keys, she snapped them off the chain and handed them over, pointing out the cupboards so far unlocked, still holding their secrets, however innocent. One of them held shelves of books, many of them in Latin or translated from French, two volumes of antidotes as a guide for students and a volume on aphrodisiacs next to The Physicians of Myddfai.

‘Aphrodisiacs?’ Lord Somerville murmured, glancing through the yellowed pages. ‘Why would he…?’

Etta removed it from his hands and replaced it on the shelf. ‘Keep your mind on the task, if you please, my lord. He was an apothecary. Remember?’

‘Wait,’ he said, taking it out again. ‘What was that? Cockerels’ testicles? Oysters, asparagus, truffles, candied eringo root? Good grief, the list is endless. But what’s this?’ Reaching into the space behind where the book had been, he drew out a small package wrapped with linen and handed it to Aphra.

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