London's Best Kept Secret by Anabelle Bryant

Author:Anabelle Bryant
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2019-01-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Dearing glanced in the cheval mirror above his armoire and straightened his cravat. The sun shone too brightly through his bedchamber windows, and he listed a string of expletives in response. He’d promised a morning outing and esteemed a fair amount of pride in locating the ideal diversion to please Charlotte. Now no amount of sunshine or smiles could blot out the fact that she’d lied to him, openly and without pause.

Since early last evening, when he’d excused himself and come abovestairs, he’d pondered whether he’d misunderstood and Amelia, Duchess of Scarsdale, remained in London, but logic would not allow his anxious excuses. He knew for a fact the duke and duchess had left the city already, the information easily obtained with a few inquiries.

And too, there was Charlotte’s blanched complexion and timid response once the note was received and the words read. She’d transformed from bold lover to shrinking violet, and he was certain the contents of the message had provoked the change.

But why? And who had sent the missive?

He’d find no pleasure in their visit to the British Museum, but he would discern the answers. Determined to discover the reason for his wife’s odd absences and the contents of the note she’d received, he took the stairs and waited in the foyer while a footman readied the carriage.

“I’m here.” Charlotte entered the hall from the direction of the music room, and he turned at the sound of her voice.

“As am I. Let’s be off.” Short on patience and less on understanding, he escorted her to the steps and up into the carriage. He settled on the banquette on the opposite side with the intention of questioning her, unwilling to accept evasive answers. What he hadn’t counted on was the pervasive fragrance of her perfume in the confined interior or the lovely beauty of her profile limned in the early morning light.

“I’m looking forward to the exhibit. How did you hear of its early arrival?”

Like last night, her voice now lacked genuine emotion. Instead, he heard a struggle for pleasantry, a false attempt to persuade him everything was normal.

“It was mentioned at one of my clubs.” That wasn’t exactly true. He’d enlisted the help of two footmen, sent them about London with specific instructions and promised them additional pay if they returned from their scavenger hunt with advantageous news. Luckily, one of them had succeeded. An exhibit of musical instruments, most especially Italian violins, was being prepared for public display. No one knew of its arrival at the museum, but the curator would allow Charlotte to peruse the collection to her delight in return for a generous donation. Dearing happily paid the sum and anticipated the joyful outing, at the time anxious to please his wife. How quickly things had reversed.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He watched her closely, angry a falsehood had passed her perfectly formed lips. The same lips he’d kissed passionately only yesterday. The same lips she’d used to kiss his—

“I’ll be going out this afternoon.”

As would he.

“We shouldn’t be home too late.

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