Ladies of Deception 03 - Betraying the Highwayman by Ginny Hartman

Author:Ginny Hartman [Hartman, Ginny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-12-06T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Devon raced out to the stables, his arm throbbing and his head swimming. He didn't want to admit, even to himself, that his decision to look for his father was brash, but there's no way he could stay in bed knowing that his father could be gambling away more of his precious funds and not do anything about it.

By the time he found Calvin in his stall, his arm was on fire, and all he wanted to do was lie down. His forehead was beaded with sweat, and he knew that the trip to London would be strenuous in his condition. He leaned up against the stall as Calvin nudged him gently with his head, seeking some affection. Devon obliged by lifting his hand and stroking his neck. Taking a deep breath, he made the decision not to go after his father, not that any of his attempts to retrieve the lost money had been successful anyway.

He gathered his bearings before once more turning and heading back to the house. With any luck, Sister Genevieve would have found his father around the manor somewhere and all of his worrying would be in vain. He went straight to his room and laid down, closing his eyes against the painful throbbing in his arm.

***

Elenore was relieved to hear voices, as she approached the rarely used dining room. She quickly recognized the deep voice of Lord Brattondale and heaved a sigh of relief. She was grateful that he hadn't left the manor and hoped that she could inform Lord Bridgerton of the discovery before he gallivanted off to London in search of his father.

Charlotte and Lord Bridgerton stopped talking as she entered the room, both pairs of eyes looking up at the intrusion. “Pardon, my lord, but I was worried when I didn't find you in your room earlier.” She noticed he was impeccably dressed as if he was ready to go out for the day, the first time she had seen him in anything other than his nightclothes. “Is everything well?”

“My apologies. I should have informed you of my whereabouts. I woke up feeling unusually chipper and decided it was high time I got out for a change of scenery.”

“I would hate to see you overdue it,” Elenore added cautiously.

“Nonsense. Now, if you'll both just excuse me, I have matters to attend to.” He made to rise and Elenore hurried over and sat next to him at the long table.

“Lord Brattondale, I cannot in good conscious allow you to overexert yourself. You have been terribly ill for so long, and I must caution you that overdoing it could only cause a dreadful relapse.” She reached out and placed a hand on his arm to reinforce her concern. Normally, she'd be glad for the respite his absence would give her in her nursing duties, but that was before she knew of his gambling problem.

Lord Brattondale looked down at her hand on his arm, his face softening in a moment of tenderness. He

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