The Chaperon's Seduction by Sarah Mallory

Author:Sarah Mallory [Mallory, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Regency, General, Sagas, Family Life
ISBN: 9781460382912
Google: szzABQAAQBAJ
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

‘Ten thousand!’

‘You may well stare,’ said Olivia. ‘I was truly shocked when I heard of it. Not that I should have been surprised, when I saw the likes of Richard Arrandale and Sir Charles Urmston in Bath.’

‘I do not believe Mr Arrandale is a part of it.’

‘Then you are a fool. His family is renowned for their outrageous behaviour.’

Phyllida wrapped her arms across her chest. She suddenly felt very cold. Had he lied to her? She could not believe it. Surely the look she had seen in his eyes had been genuine. But she could not think of that now. She must fix her mind upon the bigger problem.

She said, ‘It certainly explains why so many gentlemen have been attentive to Ellen.’

‘Like bees around a honeypot.’ Olivia nodded. ‘I think you would be wise to remove Ellen from Bath immediately.’

‘Do you think I should tell her?’

‘By no means. I do not believe in telling children more than necessary.’

Phyllida was tempted to reply that Ellen was not a child, but Olivia’s experience of the world was so much greater than her own. Surely she must know best.

‘Seduction implies that Ellen would be willing, does it not?’ she said thoughtfully. ‘My stepdaughter is spirited, but I do not believe she has any romantic inclinations. Indeed, she has told me as much.’

‘But with such a sum at stake, the inducement for any man to attempt to win her is very high, and by fair means or foul,’ said Olivia. ‘What are you going to do?’

Phyllida considered.

‘I think we should remain in Bath,’ she said slowly. ‘At least here we are well known, and Ellen is accustomed to being accompanied everywhere. If we removed to Tatham Park it would be much more difficult to keep an eye on her, for she is so used to going out alone there and it would irk her beyond bearing to be shadowed. And if I insisted upon it, she might even begin to slip off on her own.’

‘You have allowed that girl far too much freedom, Phyllida. We would never have disobeyed our parents in such a manner.’

‘I certainly would not have done so, but I recall several occasions when you went off alone to meet a beau.’

‘Yes, well never mind that now,’ said Olivia, hastily. ‘Besides, there was no financial incentive for any man to seduce me.’

Silence fell. At length Phyllida turned anxious eyes upon her sister.

‘It seems too fantastical. Are you sure it is true?’

Olivia sighed. ‘Lady Heston was always prone to exaggeration when she was at school,’ she admitted. ‘That may not have changed, but I do not think she would have concocted the whole story for my benefit.’

‘If there is the slightest chance that such a wager exists then I must be on my guard.’

‘But you will not remove from Bath?’

‘No, I think not, although I shall hire another manservant to go about with us.’

Lady Hune had only recently suggested it. Did she, too, suspect Ellen needed extra protection, possibly from her own great-nephew? Phyllida shook her head.

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