Seducing the Earl by Andersen Maggi & Publishing Dragonblade

Author:Andersen, Maggi & Publishing, Dragonblade
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2018-07-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Strathairn folded his arms and watched Sibella dance with Coombe. They didn’t look like a couple about to marry. Or even friends. She held herself at a distance from the viscount. “Have you had any dealings with Lord Coombe?” he asked Guy, who stood beside him, alone now, as his wife had left them to talk to friends.

Guy took a champagne flute from a footman’s tray. “No, but Montsimon mentioned him.”

“Go on.”

“Apparently when he was in Paris, he met Lady Coombe’s French cousin. He expressed outrage that Lady Coombe’s death had been deemed an accident and demanded an inquest to be held.”

Strathairn rubbed his chin. “And was there an inquest?”

“Yes. Lady Coombe’s illness and her use of laudanum were blamed for her fall. And you have to admit the accident does sound feasible.”

“Many things sound feasible.” Had he been so intent on pushing Sibella toward a safe marriage, he’d discounted her good sense? She was perceptive and intelligent and might have good reason if she disliked the man. He searched the crowd. “I haven’t seen Montsimon. Is he here tonight?”

Guy shook his head. “He’s in Ireland visiting his estate.”

The waltz ended and Sibella and Coombe left the floor. Sibella looked unhappy and Coombe angry. Strathairn’s fingers curled into his palms, then loosened. It was none of his business, but he burned to hear what Coombe had said to upset her.

“Lady Forney was not seen to be a part of her husband’s treacherous plot back in ’16. But she might well have been,” Guy said, drawing him out of his introspection. “Why was she treated so well at Bow Street and allowed to go free?”

“Irvine is to follow her. The more confident she feels about us losing interest in her, the better.” Strathairn’s gaze remained on Sibella as she and Lord Coombe moved through the crowded ballroom chatting to guests. He swallowed the bitter taste of regret. He never expected to fall deeply in love. Although he’d always admired women for their forbearance in putting up with men’s unfaithfulness, as a youth, he’d been rather contemptuous when lovesick friends turned into fools. And after the war, well…

The Dowager Lady Brandreth approached them. “Strathairn, I must thank you for your dealings with my son, Vaughn. Sibella confessed he’d been missing for some weeks! I was led to believe he was still at his rooms and just being neglectful.”

“I was pleased to, Lady Brandreth. He does well in Yorkshire. I received a letter from him today.”

Her magnificent emerald eyes studied him. “You found him at the race track.”

“Yes, that is true, but—”

“Then he must owe money. Quite a considerable amount, I gather, to send him running from London.”

“No, he owes nothing as it happens, my lady.”

A flash of humor lit her eyes. “I wonder how that can be?”

He rubbed a brow, adopting an innocent pose. “I suppose he has had a certain amount of success at gambling.”

“You can’t pull the wool over my eyes.” She chuckled. “I shall find out the truth. I always do.

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