Still Wicked by Ayers Kathleen

Author:Ayers, Kathleen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-27T16:00:00+00:00

24

Hours later, after Elizabeth had bathed, she walked to the family’s private parlor, pausing here and there to touch a beloved knick-knack. Luckily, her sister-in-law, Alex, had left a few day dresses behind when she had returned to Gray Covington so Elizabeth could discard the dress bought for her by Kelso. She instructed the maid who’d been sent to assist her to carefully launder the blue muslin with daisies and pack it in tissue.

Her brother greeted her with a smile, waving to the small table set for two. “I thought you and Alex might be comparable in size, though you are taller.” He gave a careless roll of his shoulders. “Nearly everyone is.”

Elizabeth had been grateful, upon trying on one of Alex’s dresses, not minding if the hem was a bit short. “I hope she won’t mind,” Elizabeth said, settling into the chair her brother held out for her.

“She won’t. She’ll be thrilled you’ve returned to us. I’ve sent word to Grandmother and Alex at Gray Covington, as well as Miranda, though the news will take longer to get to Runshaw Park.”

Elizabeth’s stomach rumbled, stopping her brother’s conversation, then he laughed. “Good Lord, Elizabeth. Why didn’t you say you were hungry?” He had dismissed the footmen so they could dine privately and whisked the lids off two silver platters.

Over roasted Cornish hen, Elizabeth related the details of her mother’s intrusion into the serenity of St. Albans.

“The garden faces the cliffs. I turned to put one of the herbs I’d snipped into my basket and there she was. I nearly fainted, seeing Mother standing dramatically against the cliffs. There was a footman with her. Gustave. There was also a driver, but I never overheard his name. Mother’s plan was to have me marry Langford and in return, Langford was to help Mother re-establish herself amongst the ton. Right all the wrongs done to her. Her exact words.”

Sutton frowned, stabbing repeatedly at his poor game hen, probably imagining her mother. “That’s a bit troubling.”

“I escaped from Mother at a coaching inn. I tried to get to the public coach, but Gustave was searching for me. I jumped into Kelso’s vehicle. Gustave was searching the coaches and Kelso…he protected me, warning Gustave off. I told him what had happened, and he promised to get me to you in London. Kelso knew about Langford’s…peculiarities.”

“Langford is cut from the same cloth as Archie.” Her brother threw down his fork. “He’s gone through two wives, both young, who died and were buried before anyone could investigate further. That she would give you to such a man—”

Elizabeth reached across the table and took her brother’s hand, startling him again by her touch. Had she really spent so many years eschewing the simple physical affection of her own brother? Remembering her reaction to Young Angus, the village boy who’d touched her, Elizabeth knew she had. The thought of a strange gentleman still unnerved her, but she was making progress. Thanks to Kelso.

“I received letters from Herbert on a regular basis.

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