Haunting Miss Trentwood by Belinda Kroll

Author:Belinda Kroll
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: young adult, victorian, ghost, ghost story, blackmail, ghostly encounters, blackmailer, victorian england, english historical, ghost novel, love and trust, victorian england romance, gothic historical romance, victorian gothic
Publisher: Bright Bird Press

“I’m giving the woman her damn tea.” Hartwell almost dropped the tray on the marble top table before Steele and Mrs. Durham, but the look of panicked alarm that flew to Mary’s face made him set it down gently.

For all he knew, this was her mother’s tea set. And damned if he was the one to break it just to spite the likes of Mrs. Durham.

“Rude, awful creature,” Mrs. Durham sniffed.

Hartwell barked a laugh. “Rude? Awful? Takes one to know one, my dear Mrs. Durham, or did it not occur to you to inquire after your niece when she was so obviously ill not an hour ago?”

Mrs. Durham’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Did Steele not tell you that Mary had emptied her stomach and collapsed?”

“Let’s not dwell on that,” Mary rushed to say. “We’ve other matters to concern ourselves with.”

Steele turned an awful shade. “Yes, such as why your guest would attack me!”

“Yes, such as why your solicitor would be so bold as to insinuate that you are not the lady of quality you are,” Hartwell growled, crossing his arms over his chest.

“What?” Mary spun on her heel. “You said what about me?”

Steele threw up his hands in a sort of mock plea. “I didn’t know you when I said those things!”

Mary gulped her air. “Know me! I’ve been unconscious for... I don’t even know how long! How can you possibly know me better now, if what Alex says is true?” Her hand flew to her mouth. “I can’t believe I’m saying it, but my father was right about you.”

“What are you all going on about?” Mrs. Durham said.

Hartwell opened his mouth to explain, but Mary held up her hand to silence him.

“We’ve other matters, Aunt. I’m sorry, but Jasper will have to nurse his jaw—that looks rather painful, nicely done, Alex—over his papers. I’m determined to prove something to Alex, and I want it done now.”

Hartwell flinched. He had hoped, futilely it seemed, that Mary would have forgotten about his accusation in the midst of all this hysterical confusion. She really was one of the most annoyingly common-sensical woman he had ever met. Even more annoying was how greatly he enjoyed seeing her at work.

“Yes, indeed,” Hartwell said, “Mary and I have a score to settle, and we need to see the papers right now, Steele.”

Steele stood from the sofa he shared with Mrs. Durham. He was quiet for a moment, studying Mary and Hartwell, looking confused and displeased. “I’m only authorized to go over the papers with Miss Trentwood and her associates.”

Mary and Hartwell exchanged a look.

“I appoint Alex as my associate,” Mary said.

“I accept said appointment,” Hartwell said.

“I think you’re being ridiculous,” Mrs. Durham said.

“No one asked you, dearest,” Mary replied.

“Bravo,” Hartwell couldn’t help but say.

Steele’s jaw clenched. He nodded, and bent to retrieve his satchel at his feet. He flipped it open, stuck his hand inside, and looked at Mrs. Durham. “Terribly sorry, Mrs. Durham, but I’m under strict orders to ask you to give the bereaved and her chosen associates some—” He swallowed, looking a bit green.

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