The Contrary Coninthian by Emily Hendrickson

Author:Emily Hendrickson [Hendrickson, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1995-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

She must have known somehow,” Val exclaimed, aware of a most curious stab in his heart at this knowledge. Surely this would be proof positive that Miss Phoebe Thorpe was not what she claimed to be. Was that not what he wished, in order to protect his aunt from a cozening female? He pushed aside the peculiar twinge and turned to study his valet.

“As to that, milord, I could not say but I doubt it. I am of the impression that the news was fairly recent.” Rosbert stood, face impassive, waiting for additional instructions.

“You say that Miss Thorpe is much loved by the local people?” That did not fit into his mental picture of a scheming hussy. But then. Miss Phoebe of the shining black curls and sparkling blue eyes did not fit his image of a cozening female in the least.

“Indeed, sir. Likened her to an angel, coming as she did to care for Lady Waring, then devoting herself to the twins with never a thought as to her own future.”

“That,” Val charged, “was because she had other expectations. Just wait until my aunt hears this!” But a seed of doubt had been sown in his opinion of Miss Thorpe.

“Well, milord, I would move with caution, if I might be so bold as to offer a word of advice. I sense something is not quite what you may think it is.”

The two men had been together too many years for Val to dismiss this suggestion lightly.

The valet cleared his throat and said, “They also claimed she is an excellent housekeeper and oversaw the maintenance of the house with great diligence.”

“Aha! Spent a packet redoing the place, I’ll wager. I well know how women like to redo a house, changing everything in the place to the latest novelty in decoration.” Val paused in his ambulation about his room to give Rosbert a triumphant look.

“As to that, I believe it is well-known that Miss Thorpe is accomplished in mending curtains and turning sheets, milord,” Rosbert said with a hint of a smile. “ ‘Tis said she is a skilled needlewoman and even sewed the children’s clothing when they were babes, indeed, until they came up to London.”

Val frowned at this demonstration of housewifely talents. “Well, I shall be highly interested to see her reaction when she discovers that I know her intentions.”

Normally Rosbert would never have inquired, but it was plain to see he itched to know what it was his employer thought. “And they are?” he prompted softly.

“I suspect that Miss Phoebe Thorpe decided to snabble herself a fortune so she would be in an excellent position to marry the heir to the Earl of Airlie, the new Viscount Clark.”

Rosbert frowned as though he did not agree with his employer, but was too prudent to say anything to the contrary.

“ ‘Tis a fine day. I believe I shall stroll on over to my aunt’s place to see if the stupendous news has reached our villainess. Miss Thorpe,” Val said, ignoring that distressing twinge in his heart.

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