Lords and Secrets: Ladies, Love, and Mysteries by Alec Joyce

Author:Alec, Joyce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-10T00:00:00+00:00

9

“Thank you for coming.”

The other Shadows looked at Ann steadily as they all held their teacups in their hands, their eyes filled with concern. Ann had written to them all that very morning, begging for them to call upon her at a set time, and all had obliged. She had also included Lady Sapphira, who sat quietly, her eyes darting from place to place.

“Something most strange happened last evening,” Ann told them, looking to her sister, who certainly looked a good deal less strained than the evening before, but who still bore the remnants of the strain that had been upon her last night. Ann had not asked her how she had slept, thinking that, had it been anything like the very poor night she herself had endured, it would not have been a restful one. “Catherine and I were, as you know, at Lord Aldridge’s townhouse for a dinner party.”

“Lord Rutherford was there also,” Catherine interrupted. “It was, all in all, a very pleasant evening.”

“It was,” Ann agreed without hesitation. “We dined together and thereafter, the ladies went through to take tea in the drawing room.”

“Once the gentlemen joined us, there was some conversation followed by a time of dancing,” Catherine added. “Lord Rutherford and I were, in fact, in the middle of a dance when Ann received her note.”

The other Shadows looked at Ann. “The note?” Lady Sapphira enquired, looking confused. A look of horror crept into her expression. “Pray do not tell me that you, too, have received a cruel letter!”

Ann shook her head. “No, no indeed,” she said slowly. “Although I would consider it cruel now.” Seeing the looks of confusion, she tried to explain. “The note apparently came from the butler, begging me to return home at once.” Still remembering the fear that had clutched at her heart as she had read it, Ann took a moment to drag in air and compose herself. “The note stated that Father had taken suddenly ill and I was begged to return back to the house just as soon as I could.”

An audible gasp came from the other Shadows.

“You can imagine our distress,” Catherine said hoarsely, still clearly caught up in all manner of emotion. “Lord Rutherford and I left at once to call the carriage and Ann stayed to explain to Lord Aldridge precisely what had occurred.”

Shaking her head, Ann looked at her sister. “It was all the more shocking to us when we practically burst into the house, only to see our dear father walking into his study. He stopped, look back at us both, and smiled, remarking that he had not expected Ann back so early, before expressing something about retiring to bed himself.”

“Good gracious!” Lady Haddington exclaimed, her eyes wide. “Then someone sent the note to you with the intention of removing you from Lord Aldridge’s house?”

Ann pressed her lips together for a moment, glancing at Lady Sapphira. “Or from Lady Sapphira,” she said slowly. “Whilst we were conversing for a good deal of

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