The Duke's Legacy by Wendy Soliman

Author:Wendy Soliman [Soliman, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2013-11-06T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

When Sebastian entered the breakfast-parlour the following morning, it was his misfortune to find only Lord Evans in occupation of it. Disinclined to further the antagonism between them, Sebastian attempted to engage him in conversation. Evans threw Sebastian a disdainful look and made no effort to be even superficially polite. Elbows rudely planted on the table, he rested his head in his hands, toyed with a dry piece of toast and didn’t utter a single word.

Sebastian shrugged, neither surprised nor unduly concerned. Evans disliked and resented Sebastian and that was an end to it. Having broken his fast at his leisure, Sebastian went in search of the other gentleman. They were all in the billiards room except Bevan and Evans, who had apparently taken refuge in the library. Of the ladies there was no sign but Sebastian knew they would be together somewhere, doing whatever ladies did to pass the time when the weather was inclement.

He had no specific concerns for Abbey’s safety since even Mary Bevan wouldn’t try to stage an accident in full view of the rest of the party. She might well have been responsible for the incident with the peach ratafia but that had taken place in someone else’s household where she would never have been suspected. Besides, it had been attributed to an unfortunate case of food poisoning. Sebastian was counting on Mary being too fearful in a house full of servants who always knew precisely where everyone was to risk any misfortune befalling its mistress and having the finger of accusation levelled in her direction.

Sebastian’s mind wasn’t on billiards and he earned Charlie’s derision when he missed an easy shot. He flashed a wry smile, wondering what Charlie would make of it if he knew the female responsible for his preoccupation was Mary Bevan. He was more convinced than ever of her involvement in the plot against Abbey. The evidence, such as it was, together with his dependable sixth-sense, pointed to her. The only problem was that unlike Charlie, whose motivation was now plain to Sebastian, he couldn’t think of a single reason why Mary would wish to harm Abbey. Unless Charlie knew something to her discredit and was using it to force her co-operation? It didn’t seemly likely but he’d exhausted all other possibilities.

Amiably admitting defeat and surrendering his cue to Tobias, Sebastian gazed out of the window, still deep in thought. It had ceased snowing and the dark clouds of yesterday had been replaced by brittle winter sunshine. Rays reflected off the snow, causing it to sparkle like multi-faceted diamonds, completely transforming the hibernating winter garden. He recalled how much Abbey enjoyed snow and hoped she observed it for herself before the sun waned and the moment passed.

Laughter from the side of the house ignited Sebastian’s curiosity and he moved to another window to see who was responsible for it. The sight that greeted him made him smile. Three small girls—Harold’s and Mary’s presumably—were building a snowman under the watchful eye of a severe-looking governess.

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