The Duke's Masquerade (Improper Lords Book 1) by Maggi Andersen

Author:Maggi Andersen [Andersen, Maggi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-04-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

As Tate rode back to Cloudhill, he considered what passed between him and Ianthe. She had exhibited no pleasure at the mention of Ormond, her eyes dark and troubled. But it gave him little pleasure to think she didn’t love the fellow. An urgent surge rushed through his veins, frustrating him. This appalling business he was desperate to put an end to moved far too slowly.

In the secretary’s room, Tate searched through the accounts for the last six months, listed in Lynch’s ledger. An item caught his eye. It mentioned a Dr. Robert Manners in Kennington, where his Aunt Mary lived. It must surely be something to do with Clara.

Wishing to understand the seriousness of his sister’s illness, he removed the bills filed away in drawers and flicked through them until he found the one he sought.

A note accompanied Dr. Manners’ account. I can assure Your Grace of my discretion, Robert Manners had written. Your daughter’s health improves, and I grow more confident of her full recovery, although she remains troubled. I’m told the church will ensure the babe finds a suitable home.

Shocked and sickened, Tate sat back and stared at the piece of paper held in his shaky fingers. His dear, gentle sister had given birth to a baby? Anger swiftly followed. It must have happened in London. Some man had attacked her? Who was this mongrel? And why hadn’t Tate been told? He caught his breath as concern and compassion for Clara made him want to go immediately to find her. For several minutes, he attempted to calm himself while he wondered how he might best help her. Then he rose and left the room, encountering a footman in the corridor. “Ask my mother and Lady Clara to come to the library, John.”

Tate entered the large chamber lined with bookshelves and went to the drinks tray to pour himself a brandy. No fire had been lit, the lofty room cool, but none of the other rooms would offer them the privacy required for this conversation. He took a sip of the mellow liquid, and holding his glass, roamed across the blue-and-gold patterned swirl of dense carpet. While deeply concerned about Clara, other questions arose. How did this happen to a gently reared girl like his sister? And might this be the reason behind his father’s inexplicable behavior?

Moments later, his mother hurried in with his sister. “What has happened, Tate? Do you have news?”

“Nothing concerning Cloudhill, Mama. I’ve ordered tea, but perhaps you would prefer a glass of ratafia?” Tate said as they seated themselves on the sofa before the marble fireplace.

His mother glanced worriedly at him as she sat. “Tea, thank you, Tate.”

Tate crouched down beside Clara’s chair. He looked into her sad, pale face and took her slender, cool hand in his. “Clara, I’ve only now discovered the truth. I am deeply sorry for what you have endured. I wish I’d known. That I might have helped.”

Clara flushed scarlet and burst into tears. After he gave a reassuring squeeze of her hand, he rose to his feet and sat on a chair opposite the sofa.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.