Mistress of Scandal by Sara Bennett - Greentree Sisters 03 - Mistress of Scandal

Author:Sara Bennett - Greentree Sisters 03 - Mistress of Scandal [Bennett, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical Romance, Victorian, AcM
ISBN: 9780739480359
Google: e8UFJEmfXawC
Amazon: B000OVLJUA
Barnesnoble: B000OVLJUA
Goodreads: 10350391
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2006-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

As soon as Amy had gone upstairs to rest, Francesca went in search of Lil.

“How is Rosie?”

“She’s havin’ a lovely time,” Lil said with a smile. “Madame’s girls are all spoilin’ her rotten.” Her expression turned anxious. “You don’t think that her aunt can take her back, do you? After what she did, trying to sell her?”

“Has Rosie asked for her?”

“No, not once.”

“Then I don’t think we should worry about it. The aunt obviously is not a suitable person to care for a child. Rosie is better off with us.” She paused before she went on. “Lil, have you seen anyone around the club who is acting suspiciously?”

Lil smiled. “Miss, you are talking about Aphrodite’s Club. To my mind there’re a lot of suspicious gentlemen around that place. Is there anyone in particular…?”

“No, it was just a thought. Never mind.”

But Francesca was more worried than she let on to Lil. Sebastian’s warnings and now the sandy-haired stranger were playing on her mind, and she felt guilty and concerned that she’d endangered those closest to her by her actions, well-intentioned as they were. What if these people had discovered where Rosie was hidden? What if they decided to take her back? Kidnap her?

Dobson! Francesca remembered with relief. It would be difficult for them to get past Dobson. But her relief faded; Dobson was only one man. There was no time to waste.

“I’m going to see Mr. Thorne in Half Moon Street.”

Lil’s face was a picture. “Miss!”

“I have to. It’s urgent, Lil. I’m worried…about Rosie.”

Lil considered that, but she wasn’t mollified. “And I suppose you think you’re going on your own?”

“Lil, I am perfectly capable of—”

“I’m coming with you, miss. I’m not making the same mistake with you that I made with your sisters.”

Francesca sighed, irritated and amused at the same time. “Lil, I am twenty-five years old and far too old to require a chaperone.”

“No respectable man will want you if your honor is besmirched,” Lil said knowledgeably.

“Good heavens! Do I care?” She rolled her eyes.

“That’s what Miss Vivianna and Miss Marietta said,” Lil said darkly. “And they did care, eventually. I’m waiting to see what happens when their children grow up. You can be sure they won’t want them up to the games they played!” Lil was enjoying herself. “Oh yes, those little ones will lead them a merry dance, you mark my words.”

Francesca decided it wasn’t worth arguing with her when she was in this moralizing mood. “I’ll go and change into my new dress and we can set off.”

Lil narrowed her eyes. “What new dress?”

“The modiste was able to fit one she already had made up. It only needed a few tucks here and there.”

“And why are you wearing this new dress to Mr. Thorne’s rooms?”

“Lil, even I know that men are much more likely to agree to a woman’s wishes if she’s looking her best. And Mr. Thorne is a man, after all.”

“He’s a villain, miss.”

Francesca smiled. “Yes, he is, isn’t he?”

Lil shot her a despairing look and muttered, “Just like the other two.

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