Never Trust a Rogue by Olivia Drake

Author:Olivia Drake [Drake, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Fiction, General, Man-woman relationships, Love stories, Historical, Historical fiction, London (England), Murder, Investigation, Aristocracy (Social class) - England, Heiresses
ISBN: 9780312943462
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2010-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“I’m afraid my daughter must have changed her mind about your invitation. She isn’t at home today.”

Elegant and slender, Mrs. Edith Crompton sat embroidering a handkerchief by the hearth, her dainty fingers drawing the white thread in and out of the linen square. An expression of tranquil politeness graced her face, as one would expect of any lady of society. Yet as she glanced from her sewing to him Thane recognized the hardness of resolve in the arch of her brow and the firmness of her chin. He found himself admiring her iron will even as he silently cursed her determination to bar him from Lindsey’s company.

Clearly, he had a rocky road to travel before he won over Lindsey’s family.

“May I inquire where she’s gone?” Thane asked. “Perhaps she means to return in time for our appointment.”

“Hardly,” Mrs. Crompton said with studied sympathy. “In truth, you’ve only just missed her. A few minutes ago, she went for a drive with Lord Wrayford.”

His gut tightened with alarm. “With Wrayford? Good God!”

So he’d been right to think he’d glimpsed that villain’s fancy yellow phaeton leaving the square. Blast himself for a fool! He ought to have had the sense to give chase. Not, of course, that the cumbersome landau could have kept up with the lighter vehicle. And he had Jocelyn to consider, who was waiting outside with the coachman.

Mrs. Crompton frowned. “I’m sorry if you consider Lord Wrayford to be a rival for my daughter’s affections. But that is no excuse for you to use our heavenly Father’s name in vain.”

“I beg your pardon.” Thane took a step toward her. “Tell me, where were they heading?”

“I hardly think that is any concern of yours.”

“It is indeed my concern. You see—”

Running his fingers through his hair, Thane bit off his words. No doubt Mrs. Crompton already knew Wrayford was a philanderer who would never keep his marriage vows, a gamester who would squander Lindsey’s fortune within a year. Maybe she didn’t care so long as she could purchase a ducal coronet for her daughter.

However, the woman couldn’t possibly know that Wrayford was under suspicion of murder. Or that Thane was compelled to keep the investigation a secret until he could find irrefutable proof of Wrayford’s culpability.

Mrs. Crompton let the embroidery fall to her lap. “Let me be quite frank, my lord,” she said, fixing him with a resolute stare. “I wouldn’t recommend your pursuing Lindsey any further. Her schedule is quite full, and I rather doubt she’ll be interested in seeking your company anytime in the near future. You see, she informed me this very morning that she wants nothing more to do with you.”

Thane stood stock-still. Had Lindsey confessed to her mother about his attempt to seduce her? Surely not. Mrs. Crompton had to be spinning a tall tale in order to discourage his courtship.

Yet Lindsey had been furious with him the previous day, angry enough to strike out at him with that blasted letter opener. She must have accepted his invitation out of kindness toward his ward and then had second thoughts.

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