The Earl's Debt (The Worthy Peers) by Remillard Constance

Author:Remillard, Constance
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heady Press
Published: 2024-02-05T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

James had made inquiries amongst Augusta’s staff early that morning—long before his heated walk with Sedrich—only to discover a group of servants all maddeningly tight-lipped regarding the new Countess Anne. No one knew where she’d come from or who her family was, though the footman he’d planted two weeks ago in his aunt’s house had reported Anne’s arrival the night before the earl’s wedding purportedly “dramatic.”

What the fellow had actually meant by the word, however, remained a mystery, as the blasted footman hadn’t been on duty that day himself—he’d heard it secondhand from another. The man’s sleuthing regarding Augusta’s testament, however, had been worth every penny promised; the footman would get his payment just as soon as James got his.

James had even less luck with the girls in laundry, which somehow irked him more. He figured they, more than other domestics, always knew the sordid details of a house. But even here he’d struck out, beginning to wonder if he wasn’t losing his touch. Normally James had only to turn charm and uniform on a girl to get her talking.

Not so Augusta’s staff.

In frustration he’d turned to Harbrook’s housekeeper, Mrs. Chadwick, who’d given him the most withering look when he’d inquired after his brother’s bedclothes. Having known James since childhood, she minced no words.

“Lieutenant Malvern,” she’d uttered in disgust, “I can assure you his lord and lady’s sheets were well scrubbed following their wedding night, as they required the removal of certain stains difficult to wash out if not immediately dealt with.”

That had shut him up, his expression turning grim, for Mrs. Chadwick no doubt would now blab to Sedrich what he’d just asked the woman, sure to put his brother on the offensive and James at disadvantage, yet again.

Damn.

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