Intentions of the Earl (Scandalous Sisters Book 1) by Rose Gordon

Author:Rose Gordon [Gordon, Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Parchment & Plume, LLC
Published: 2013-12-29T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Brooke was relieved to find dinner that evening a lot more enjoyable than it had been the night before. She would have preferred to sit next to Andrew, but he wasn’t present, so she sat with Mr. Thomas, Madison’s gossipy dinner companion from the night before.

Brooke and her sisters sat closer together this time, with Mr. Grimes and Lady Olivia seated as far away as possible.

When the men rejoined the ladies after their gentlemen’s pursuits, Andrew was still missing.

Brooke was not the only one to notice. “Where’s Townson?” asked Mr. Cook, taking a seat near where Brooke and her sisters were sharing a settee.

Alex shrugged before taking an empty chair on the other side of the girls. “I haven’t seen him for several hours. The last time I saw him, he mentioned something about a meeting. I don’t recall exactly.”

“You don’t seem to recall much unless it has to do with science,” his father gently teased him.

Alex gave a lopsided grin. “What can I say? Science is fascinating, whereas Townson’s whereabouts are not.”

“Hear, hear,” the Duke of Gateway said, holding his glass up in a mock toast. Some of the ladies who had tittered at Alex’s remark, burst into full giggles at the duke’s.

Brooke didn’t think it was so funny. “Should we send someone to look for him?” she asked with a pointed glance to Alex.

“No,” the duke answered in a dismissive tone. “He’s probably out visiting his mother.”

“His mother lives ‘round here?” Mr. Cook asked curiously.

“Yes,” the duke answered again.

“I always thought she was a recluse,” Mr. Cook mused.

“She is,” the duke confirmed.

“Hmm…I wonder why that is?” Mr. Cook ventured.

Lady Algen and Mr. Thomas both looked as if they were about to burst at the prospect of spreading gossip. However, Lady Algen spoke first, and because Mr. Thomas was a gentleman, he didn’t interrupt her. “She was always a recluse. Her family, whoever they may be, had kept her hidden and away from society until she was of marrying age. Her parents bought her a husband while she was still hidden away in the countryside. Townson brought her to town only on their wedding day. But shortly after they were married, he packed her off to the country where she’s remained ever since.”

“Why?” Lady Olivia asked, her voice full of wonder.

This time Mr. Thomas was quicker to speak than Lady Algen. “When the old earl agreed to take her as his bride, he was lied to by the gel’s family. The details have always been hushed up, but I believe that it is not necessarily about her, but about her real family. Either way, the earl was displeased, stowed her off in the countryside, and sought an annulment. Before the marriage could be annulled, it was discovered the countess was with child. Therefore, the annulment was called off. Townson then filed for a parliamentary divorce, but couldn’t prove adultery, nor could his reputation handle such a blow. So he did what any man would do in his situation, confined her to an old, dilapidated estate in the middle of nowhere.

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