The Gentleman Jewel Thief by Jessica Peterson

Author:Jessica Peterson [Peterson, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical romance, Fiction, Regency
ISBN: 9780698141599
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2014-06-30T21:00:00+00:00

• • •

Tugging the bodice of her ball gown a smidge lower, and then lower again, Violet surveyed her appearance in the mirror and moaned in frustration.

“This one won’t do, either,” she said and turned her back to Fitzhugh so that she might undo the gown’s buttons.

“But you’ve tried on every dress you own!” Fitzhugh waved to the tangle of colored silks and satins that covered Violet’s bed. “There’s naught to be done; the one you’ve got on is most lovely. And the earl will like it just fine.”

“The earl?” Violet said, whirling to face Fitzhugh. “But how did you—”

She shrugged her shoulders, smiling. “He’s only been waiting in the drawing room downstairs for nigh on two hours. Are you certain he doesn’t mean to make an offer?”

Violet scoffed. “If he does, I shall take it as a sign of the apocalypse. Lord Harclay would rather suffer a fiery death than take a wife.”

“Ah,” Fitzhugh replied. “No wonder you like him. A rake, the kind of man one could never possess. Makes for a thrilling chase, does it not?”

Violet shook her head. “No. No, like is far too mild a word, Fitzhugh.”

The maid coaxed Violet into the cushioned seat before the mirror and went to work on her mistress’s hair.

“The earl’s had his men here all day, you know,” Fitzhugh said, words garbled by the pins she held in her teeth.

Violet’s heart skipped a beat. “His men? Whatever do you mean?”

“At least a dozen of them, standing guard at the doors. Your father was in a right tizzy ’bout it, he was. The earl sent a note apologizing, but there’s been talk of nothing else among the servants downstairs.”

Violet swallowed the sudden tightness in her throat. Something was amiss—why else would Lord Harclay have her house under his watch? Did he fear for her life? Her father’s, her family’s? Or did he mean to do them harm himself?

She shook that last thought from her head. They were on opposing sides, she and the earl, but surely he would never so much as wish her harm, much less perpetrate it himself. She had become acquainted with him well enough—very well indeed—to know he enjoyed her company and her caresses besides.

“Tell me, Fitzhugh,” Violet said carefully, “have you noticed anything strange recently? Any visitors? Gossip among the staff?”

“Nothing I can think of, my lady. Nothing except the Earl of Harclay’s frequent calls, of course. Had one of the kitchen maids in a full swoon this morning, he did. I’m afraid the entire female staff is liable to fight you for him.”

Violet bit back a smile. “He’s not that handsome.”

Fitzhugh pushed one last pin into place. “Oh, yes, he is, mistress, no use playing that game. Now off with you,” she said with a wink. “If the apocalypse is nigh, you haven’t much time together, have you?”

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