The Deceptive Lady Darby (Lost Ladies of London Book 2) by Adele Clee

Author:Adele Clee [Clee, Adele]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

The journey to The Talbot Inn took a little longer than Rose expected. By the time she reached the cobbled courtyard she’d rubbed another blister on her toe. Still, the slight tingling was overshadowed by the pounding of her heart. During the last two years, she’d dreamed of seeing her brother again, of ruffling his ebony locks and hugging him until he could hardly breathe. A thousand miles had stood between her and her dream. Now, the only thing preventing a reunion was an oak door and a flight of stairs.

But the sudden rush of excitement gave way to doubt.

It mattered not that a patron might recognise her, not with Oliver in residence. And yet something stopped her stepping forward. She stared up at the inn’s stone facade, could almost feel her brother’s presence behind the leaded glass window.

Realisation dawned.

If she entered the building, there were only two possible outcomes. Oliver would take her home to London, so pleased to see her that he’d not care where she’d been the last few days. Or he would insist on hearing her tale. Demand Lord Farleigh offer marriage.

But what if she went back to Everleigh and hid there for a few more days? No one knew her identity. No one cared for a maid’s reputation. And it would give her more time with Christian. Help her make sense of the strange fluttering in her heart whenever he came near.

She paced back and forth, tapping her fingers on her lips, hoping it would help her reach a decision.

An image of Christian flooded her vision. He sat slumped in the chair, his head buried in his hands as he tried to make sense of her lies and deceit. At some point, she would have to tell him the truth. Was it not better to hear it from her lips? Did the children not need an explanation, too?

With one last glance at the upstairs windows of the inn, she stepped back until out on the lane. It took every ounce of strength she possessed to walk away. But the invisible thread tying her to Everleigh proved hard to ignore.

Head down she hurried along the road, ignoring the carts and carriages passing by on their way to the city. At the crossroads, she turned left towards Everleigh. Lost in her thoughts, she failed to see the rider approaching until the horse slowed to a trot and stopped beside her.

“Rose?”

She looked up, directly into the handsome face of Dr Taylor. Noting the cut of his coat and the height of his top hat, the doctor clearly kept abreast of the latest fashions.

“It is you.” The doctor raised a critical brow. “Did I not confine you to your bed?”

Rose forced a smile. After her experience at the manor, she’d be no one’s prisoner again. “Surely a dose of fresh air is exactly what you’d prescribe.”

“Perhaps. Had you not fallen into the lake or inhaled so much smoke.” He frowned. “Is Lord Farleigh aware that you’ve left your bed?”

“I have not left my bed.

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