Lord Portman's Troublesome Wife by Mary Nichols

Author:Mary Nichols
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-06-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Harry returned in time for dinner as he had promised, but there was no opportunity for Rosamund to speak to him alone, and after the meal the two men retired to the library where she knew she would not be welcome. She took tea in the drawing room alone and then went to Mrs Rivers’s sitting room to talk to her about her visits to the farm.

‘Surely you knew there was something wrong?’ she asked her. ‘The child has been half-starved.’

‘I never knew that. I didn’t like going there. Mrs Chappell was only interested in the money and she insisted on it being in guineas, which surprised me because she hardly needed gold coin to do the shopping she did. She said she was getting Annabelle special food, which cost dear because the poor wee thing never seemed to thrive. I believed her at first, but later, when I came to question it, she became aggressive and told me to mind my own business. She said if his lordship doubted her capabilities he could come and see for himself. Of course he never did.’

‘You did tell him?’

‘I tried, but whenever I mentioned his daughter, he shut me out by talking about something else and as I am only the housekeeper, I could not argue with him. I am so glad you went today, my lady. The poor child will do well now she is here with you to look after her. You won’t send her back, will you?’

‘Certainly not. It is a dreadful place. I cannot imagine how she came to be there.’

‘Mrs Chappell was recommended by the wet nurse and, to tell the truth, it was not so bad in the beginning. The woman was clean and did her best. It is only in the last two years she’s let everything go to pot. I blame her husband, a real tyrant if there ever was one. He frightened me. I would not be surprised if he took most of the money from her.’

‘Has his lordship spoken to you today?’

‘No, my lady. Everyone has been too busy. And now he has Sir Ashley with him. No doubt he will send for me tomorrow. I am dreading it.’

‘Lord Portman is a fair man,’ Rosamund said. ‘If you tell him what you have told me, I am sure he will not blame you. Now I am going up to my room to sit with Annabelle. I am sure his lordship will not need me any more tonight.’

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